My Classroom is a Hive!

Oh how we talk!  When I was in school, the classroom was quiet.  In fact, the first sign of good teaching was a silent classroom where only the teacher talked. If a question was asked, and you had the answer, raising your hand was the way to go. The only person anyone wanted to share anything with was the teacher.  But, oh have times changed!  Thankfully!

My classroom can be compared to a hive.  All that buzz is the sound of bees working hard.  My room has that productive buzz.  Are there side conversations? Yes, but the same or less than in traditional classrooms.

When students enter the room, they are greeting each other and me. We say the pledge of allegiance and discuss the announcements. The warm up is often similar to the math activity I have discussed frequently called Math Bowling. My teams are working hard together to come up with the equations in a little friendly competition.  Imagine- excitement about mathematics! We learn our new material while choral reading significant notes, discussing content with team members, reading sentence frames aloud while substituting vocabulary and other relevant information.  We think, pair share, and write until the information makes sense enough so we can verbally explain it as well as write it! We celebrate the use of tier 2 vocabulary by hitting the "Easy Button".  The information is shared amongst students and they are no longer looking to the teacher to demonstrate their understanding but rather each other.  Hands do not fly in the air because why tell the teacher the answer when everyone knows she already knows this stuff.  Instead, they are eager to share with their team.  When a student does not understand, they look to their teammates for clarification.  If I should try to intervene, I often hear something like "I will show him Mrs. Taylor."  Wow, my job is now about finding clever ways to present material and then just monitoring the buzz.  But, I am not the queen bee! The students are all the leaders of the hive.  We also talk about what we have learned each day and we talk on Edmodo about our learning and for further clarification.  Rarely, are the posts directed to me for help but for the class.  I love my kids actively learning...I love the buzz!

One step Equations

Many parents are uncomfortable with helping their child do middle school math but the Math Dude at  Math Dude make learning fun. My 6th graders are learning how to isolate the variable via one step equations and this video is very helpful!  There are many cool videos for a variety of Algebra Concepts.

Orders of Operations

This week I began each class with a warm up called Math Bowling and my students shouted "yes!" when they saw it on my promethium board. ( I acquired this game from the Avid summer institute math strand where I also learned a ton of other fun activities.)  this game is based on orders of operations but the kids just think it is a competitive game.  The object is to knock down all the pins...I used 1 through 6 but you could really do as many as you want.  I have large foam dice that we throw or roll to get our numbers.  For example, yesterday we rolled 0, 2, 4, & 5. My students are situated in teams of 4.  Each team then works together to use those four numbers and the operators they know as well as their knowledge of the order of operations to make the numbers add up to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6.  For example,  2+4+(5*0)=6.  The best part is they work so well together to try and be the first team to knock down all the pins.  I award the first 3 teams points but we all enjoy the game and it starts off math class on the right foot!

Make them estimate logically!

One of the many "take homes" I picked up from my AVID summer institute conference was the need to really get kids thinking and making logical decisions. Each day, we participates in Estimation Station. I have incorporated this into my classroom and my kids ask about it everyday and look forward to Fridays because of Estimation Station. They even do this little chant! First, I find something the kids like for a treat to put inside a random, clean container. I have used skittles, m&m's, Oreos, Mike & Ike's, etc for treats. For containers, I have used disposable, cheap containers from the dollar store. Containers that are unusual get the kids intrigued and excited. For example, I used an unused picnic-ketchup container this past Friday.

 The treat and container are only the hook. I ask my students to estimate the number of items, the weight in ounces, the length if connected end to end, and the ratio of red skittles to the entire number of skittles within the container. These are just a few of the estimations I have used but so many more could be utilized. I realize that kids do not have the schema to make an accurate estimation for some stations. As a result, I provide samples to give them some background knowledge. We discuss the weight of a stapler, a baby, a shoe, a desk, etc. Conversion is also incorporated into this activity that students deem "just for fun."

 Students put their names and estimations on sticky notes and put them on my doors. Then, I require them to write about the process and their rationale. Frantically, they write about this exciting activity. They know that when they are finished we will be identifying our winner. The time comes and I try to play it up as much as possible. The kids all cheer for the winner and it is a great way to end the class on a Friday. Monday morning, we begin by scrutinizing our writings. Where they over or under in their estimation? How could they have been more accurate? These are just a few of my questions. However, students are eager to be perfect their estimating skills. Finally, students offer future Estimation Stations which is great because they continue to buy-in to the activity, feel a part of the process, and offer some pretty amazing suggestions.

 I learned so much at the AVID summer institute but this small little activity really fit into my classroom routine and made it not-so routine!

Writing in Math

I believe that using writing in mathematics not only strengthens a student's writing skills but reinforces their learning because it is sort of a reteaching method. I currently utilize writing in my classroom during warm-ups, quick writes, projects, exit tickets, and various forms of assessments. With the availability of tablets, I plan to have students begin class each day in the same manner with a prompt that includes a small writing component. Through Edmodo, students will see the prompt from me and will respond to the entire class. Just as we did today, students will from time to time be asked to examine another student's writing, highlight the academic vocabulary words in green and the tier 2 vocabulary words in yellow, and prepare a positive-only response. Obviously, I want to create a safe learning environment and encourage students to participate. Similarly, throughout the lesson we will be able to initiate quick writes whenever the opportunity arises and close the lesson with an exit ticket that is assigned and only viewable by myself. This will allow me to check for understanding and grade the formative assessment in a private manner. Students will be able to maintain all their writings, projects, and other assignments in their "backpack" which is like an endless flash drive and since Edmodo's grade book maintains copies of all their assignments, work will never be misplaced. As I prepare to become a paperless classroom, I catch myself stopping in the midst of activities and asking myself how I would change things given tablets in the hands of my students. I have post-its with ideas stuck around my classroom from ideas that are generated. I feel like I could write a book with all my post-its put in chronological order:)

Journey to Paperless

Well, when I found out last year that I was one of four teachers given the privilege of piloting a class set of tablets I was thrilled.  I did not anticipate however that I would have tablets and be without WIFI.  Trying to be positive and a role model for the glass is half full, I have focused on preparing my students for working with such technology.  Today, I found out that WIFI is back on track and will be ready in about a month.  That is ok because my kids will be ready in about a month.  I realize that this technology will bring about challenges but I embrace those due to the many opportunities.  My students are eager to use my school website to download notes, assignments, videos, and handouts.  They are also able to utilize Quizlet from my site so they may practice academic vocabulary.  We will begin utilizing Learning Upgrade this Friday to strengthen math skills on a personalized student path.  My students love this software but complain about the "nerdy" music.  Yet, I am plagued with hearing them hum those silly tones while they complete their work.  So, while we are in the emerging stages of paperless - we are working with what we have.  Here is a video I showed for order of operations...I regret ever hearing this tune!

Tech in my classroom

I am going to be documenting my journey towards becoming a paperless classroom. I have access to tablets for my students however, I am working on the procedures of my classroom and getting my students prepared for integrating tablets into our learning.  I want them to be aware of my expectations for their behavior and understand all procedures for use of the device before even touching the tablets.  With 6th graders, I am learning that this may take some time.  For now, we are only utilizing the following pieces of technology: promethium board with flip charts which are similar to power point presentations, online access to gradebook, Remind 101, class website for assignment information, and coming this week...responders.  The only new to me technology is the use of Remind101.  I am using this to update parents via messaging of important information. However, only half of my parents are able to use Remind 101 for one reason or another.  This means I still have to rely on email.  I have created a spreadsheet in Google Docs with students information.  So, emailing is much easier.

This week I will utilize the responders so students will be able to do exit tickets and quizzes. I will not be doing a lot of multiple choice this year so I don't know how often the responders will be utilized.  I will be blogging soon about my incremental use of additional technology.

Real World Math via Menu Math

Every school year, I begin my Algebra class by introducing the concepts of symbols, math sentences, and math stories by using Menu Math from Brad Fulton and Bill Lombard.  Menu Math helps kids understand math symbols such as X and Y.  In addition, this lesson teaches students to think of Algebra in real world contexts.  Using a menu to help students understand how to create and interpret math sentences via "orders" just like at a drive-thru.

My students are easily able to understand that "h + c" represents hamburger plus fries and determine the sum.  We constantly build upon their understanding to include solving problems like: 

Working within teams, I have students develop a business and create a "menu".  Each student creates math sentences from the orders placed by students throughout the room.  These are included on the poster.  The posters (menus) always blow me away because they are so creative and artistic.  As an assessment, I provide math sentences and make students write about how they can use menu math to develop a story for the sentence, create symbols, and solve.  Furthermore, students may be given a scenario and write about the symbols they would utilize as well as demonstrate what the mathematical sentence would look like.  Using writing in math class is often new to students but an excellent way to interpret their level of understanding.Menu Math Link 

Parent Guide: How to Help Your Child be Successful in School

From a teacher and parent perspective

I always hope for a large turnout for Back to School Night because I value this opportunity to let

parents know how instrumental they are in their student's success.  Students see education, for better or worse, as a high priority when  parents attend such school events. Obviously, this is not the only cue but it starts the year off right and is a relatively painless experience.  Back to School Night allows me to provide valuable contact and academic information. I also try to give parents some keys to helping student(s) be successful in middle school.  I do not pretend to be an authority on the matter but I have had 2 of my own children go through middle school successfully (but not somewhat painstakingly) and I have had over 100 students every school year for quite some time.  So, I am just giving them my interpretation of the essentials.

Attendance is crucial.  If I could only do one thing for my child and nothing more, I would make sure they are present as much as possible. There are not only statistics that correlate absences with dropout rates but quite simply - it is difficult to teach students who are not at school.  Every day missed effects at least two days due to mathematics being a sequential course and content builds upon prior concepts.  Attendance should be given highest priority!

Check student grades weekly.  If I could only do two things to support my student in school, I would ensure good attendance and I would check their grades once a week. Again, students pick up parental cues regarding education.  Checking student grades once a week and discussing the positives (and celebrating) and negatives gives students direction for the following week.  In addition, if a student reflects weekly on their grades there is a conscious effort to fix problems before it's too late.  Parents, in most districts, can access grades online.  In my school, parents simply fill out a short form in the front office to set up a username and password. It takes less than 5 minutes. Checking grades is a simple process each week and there are links for emailing teachers when necessary.  County and local libraries offer access to computers to check grades.  When necessary and upon request, teachers will print progress reports weekly.  However, parents must ensure they receive the report from their child.

Communicate with teachers and counselors.  Another parent intervention that is essential is communication. Most teachers want parental involvement and prefer parents ask questions, get support, and/or check-in routinely. Students sometimes discourage communication for various reasons. I utilize Back to School Night to confirm my availability and willingness to communicate with parents. In fact, this venue enable me to address my preference for communicating via email or through Edmodo.  Since I am never at my desk, I rarely see the blinking light indicating I have a voicemail and I cannot make a phone call as quickly as I can respond to an email.  I warn parents that even my own children attempt to talk me out of contacting their teachers.  This should not deter but encourage communication!


Homework checks before bed!  Finally, parents can support students by checking their homework.  This is not always easy for all subjects but still encouraged.  Many parents confide in me, as an Algebra teacher, about their inability to help their children complete Algebra homework.  Teachers do not expect parents to be experts. In fact, I do not expect parents to know Algebra at all.  However, they can help their student and me by simply verifying completeness, organization, and neatness.  Also, prompting their student to ask for help when they are experiencing confusion.  A little goes a long way with homework checks by parents.  Again, students interpret homework checks as a cue that education is a priority when parents take time out of their busy schedules to talk with them about school and progress checks.

Coming from a household where both parents work full time and there are three kids who all play sports, I understand busy schedules and the sometimes overwhelming feeling that accompanies.  So, hopefully this will help prioritize parent efforts and get the year off to a successful start!

Touchcast App

Wow, did I stumble upon something amazing? Indeed. Touchcast is a video platform that combines teaching, storytelling, reporting, tv, and the web all together. After downloading and registering for free, you are ready to be creative. There are several templates to get you started or you may opt to start out with a blank template. I especially like the How To template but also find the Newsbroadcaster template pretty cool!

Along the bottom of the screen are several icons to help you add material. The camera icon lets you actually read from a teleprompt, adjust the microphone, and recording speed. The effects lets you adjust the color of the recording and the use of a green screen. There is a whiteboard for writing, drawing, and creating which is a necessity for teaching. But, the greatest part of Touchcast is the video applications, known as Vapps.

As you can see, there are so many possibilities using the Vapps in Touchcast. Using the start/stop recording button allows students and teachers to add various aspects to their videos behind the scenes. But, incorporating a poll or newsfeed into the presentation just makes this video platform feel informative and creative. I can't wait to have my students create their own videos to demonstrate content they have learned. It is going to be an exciting year and I think Touchcast will be playing a huge part. Here are a couple Touchcasts to review: