Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Stop/Start/Continue for 2014-2015


I am going to join Druinok's 30 Day Blogging Challenge.  I see that over the past year I have blogged very little.  If I don't jump back into blogging this summer when I have all the time in the world, I never will.  We'll see how many days I actually blog.  Baby steps.

This is a blogging prompt I did way back in August of 2012 Stop/Start/Continue.  It was fun to read back two years on how far I have come with some of my goals and how some just fell by the wayside.  I am two years into Carnegie and Math Workshop and the difference in how I teach math now is huge. 

Stop
1.       Worrying about things/people I cannot control.  I need to keep my eye on the prize which is getting all my students to reach their potential in math class and hopefully have fun doing it.
2.     Skipping to sharing/reflection part of workshop.  I know this is such an important component of workshop and I need to find a way to make sure I give this more emphasis.
3.     Engaging with others who just want to stir the pot.  I need to surround myself with people who truly want what's best for me and not feed the beast.

Start
1.       Doing a better job of conferring with my students and figuring a good way to document these conferences.  I have some ideas floating around my head.
2.     Focusing on Growth Mindset with my math students.  Ever since reading Carol Dweck's book Mindset a few years ago, I speak with my students about the concept (without even using the term mindset).  This year I'd really like to do something more formal to encourage a growth mindset in all my students.
3.     Implementing SBG in my class.  This is a district initiative.  Our report card standards for math are Problem Solving, Justification, and Precision.  Anyone do SBG with standards remotely similar to those?  If so I'd love to pick your brain!

Continue
1.       Workshop- I started using a workshop delivery model in my math classes last year and the results were amazing.  
2.     Using my PLN for professional development.  I highly recommend #sunchat on Sundays 8-9 PM CST.  It's a weekly chat with a focus, but no Q & A format.  I have gotten so many great ideas from that chat.  It's my favorite.  There are tons of other chats on Twitter.  It's a great way to connect with other educators.  
3.     Focusing on relationship building with my students.  I loved the way I began my school year last year with team building for the first week.  Students really enjoyed it and we ended up having a seamless transition into math workshop.  I got lots of positive feedback from my end of the year student survey so I know I did a good job building those positive relationships.



5 comments:

  1. Thanks for joining in! Can you share more about the workshop model? That sounds interesting!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I'd love to hear more about this and your ideas for conferences with your students.

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  2. I like the conferring with students part...would love to hear more about the ideas you have. I agree that #sunchat is a great resource. I would like to hear more about the workshop model too!

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  3. I am not sure what SBG is? We are just focusing on the Mathematical Practices.... My goal for my students is similar though... I am focusing this year on MP 1, 2, 3 and 6.... Focusing on proving and justifying with reasoning, vocabulary and being precise.... I am thinking of ways to get the students there... I have a lot of out of the box ideas... LOL

    Last year we did a lot of "How Did You Determine That?" But this year I want to take it even further...

    PS - Your stars and zebra from your classroom decor post was an inspiration for my classroom update this year... :o)

    Roxygirl Teacher @ Rockstar Math Teacher

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  4. Love this:

    "I need to keep my eye on the prize which is getting all my students to reach their potential in math class and hopefully have fun doing it."

    I need to concentrate on this more also. Thank you for the reminder. Great post.

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