It has been a long time since I have made a post. Over the last wee while I have had the Year 3 students come back into my class and over the last two weeks I have had 3 new students join. I have found some challenges in going from 7 students up to 15 (even though this isn't a huge number the learning differences are rather large). I can now say that my programme is running much smoother after having made several adjustments.
Reading was quite easy as my Year 3s knew my expectations and how Daily 5 works in Room 6 so that was easy. The 3 new students were buddied up to Room 6 classmates so they have picked this up fast. I currently have 6 reading groups and ensure I read with 4 groups each day.
Writing has been a bit harder to manage as there have been so many needs in my class. I had an observation by my principal and together we decided to just bring it back to the basics and just focus on one thing at a time. So that I am not overwhelmed and students are not overwhelmed. Each lesson I have a whole class focus (this changes each day) and then I work with one group only per day.
Maths has been going good. I run my maths similar to Daily 5 where children are in their rotation and I just pull them out depending on their needs. I have had to adjust activities to meet students with higher or lower needs.
Showing posts with label 2015 Reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015 Reflections. Show all posts
Monday, 22 June 2015
Monday, 4 May 2015
Week 1/2, term 2
We have had a great start to term 2.
My goals at the end of term 1 were:
My goals at the end of term 1 were:
- Writing - to have students being able to voice what they are learning, how they will know that they can do it and their next steps.
- Reading - to add follow up activities after chn have read with me.
- Maths - complete an inquiry/stick to it.
So far in writing I am doing well. We have a great collaborative teachers facebook page that has heaps of awesome ideas. My principal 'tagged' me in one that had visual cues for writers. I printed this out the next day and put it on my wall. It is super easy to understand and my students know exactly what they are learning and where to next - so I can tick that one off.
My focus for week 3-4 is to ensure I allow time for reflection at the end of each writing lesson. I use to do this well and it makes it easier that we visualisers.
My focus for week 3-4 is to ensure I allow time for reflection at the end of each writing lesson. I use to do this well and it makes it easier that we visualisers.
On reflecting on my end of term reading goal I don't think it is necessary for me to change this as I do the Daily 5 programme and this has heaps of follow up activities that the kids learn from. My focus for week 3 is to make use of the word wall and ensure I or a buddy goes through cards with the kids.
In math I have been doing whole class teaching of measurement. However I have gathered my data and made a range of basic fact games to do with children. Today I set aside 5 minutes after maths calendar for my target students to play the game. My goal is to have students play their basic facts game everyday for the next 3 weeks.
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
End of Term reflection
Term 1 has been so busy but it has been great. My class is really lovely and they are all eager to learn.
For myself there is still so much that I am learning and each day I find myself reflecting and making small changes to my teaching.
My writing programme is going well. I have made slight adjustments but I still run this in a fluid manner so that I can pull students out based on their individual needs. Next term I want to do some more work around students being able to voice their goals, next steps etc. Now that learning journals are all set up I think that they will work well.
In reading I continue with the Daily 5 - which I love. The kids always seem to be engaged and the 3-4 weeks I spent setting it up have been massive in terms of my students being able to run it independently. Next term I plan to add more follow up activities after a group or student has seen me.
For maths we have been doing some great work. I spent 5 weeks on number, 2 on geometry and 2 on statistics. It was good having most students coming back to school and remembering their learning from last year. My focus for next term is to take time to complete my inquiry (practicing basic facts before a guided lesson).
For myself there is still so much that I am learning and each day I find myself reflecting and making small changes to my teaching.
My writing programme is going well. I have made slight adjustments but I still run this in a fluid manner so that I can pull students out based on their individual needs. Next term I want to do some more work around students being able to voice their goals, next steps etc. Now that learning journals are all set up I think that they will work well.
In reading I continue with the Daily 5 - which I love. The kids always seem to be engaged and the 3-4 weeks I spent setting it up have been massive in terms of my students being able to run it independently. Next term I plan to add more follow up activities after a group or student has seen me.
For maths we have been doing some great work. I spent 5 weeks on number, 2 on geometry and 2 on statistics. It was good having most students coming back to school and remembering their learning from last year. My focus for next term is to take time to complete my inquiry (practicing basic facts before a guided lesson).
Week 8, Term 1 2015
Week 8 was good. We were back into our normal routine with minimal interruptions.
My goal in literacy was to use more hand on activities that children could talk about and then transfer into their reading or writing. I achieved this goal by doing 2 water cycle experiments with my class. Children got the do the water cycle and then they had to talk about what was happening and then they wrote about it. I could feed in heaps of vocab and lots of WOW words so I got some really good writing. I plan to continue this structure for Term 2. I will also be inquiring into how I can encourage students to use the word wall.
My goal for Maths was to use more technology in maths. I was teaching about shapes so I found this quite easy. I made a whole heap of QR codes that linked to shape videos and activities.
My goal in literacy was to use more hand on activities that children could talk about and then transfer into their reading or writing. I achieved this goal by doing 2 water cycle experiments with my class. Children got the do the water cycle and then they had to talk about what was happening and then they wrote about it. I could feed in heaps of vocab and lots of WOW words so I got some really good writing. I plan to continue this structure for Term 2. I will also be inquiring into how I can encourage students to use the word wall.
My goal for Maths was to use more technology in maths. I was teaching about shapes so I found this quite easy. I made a whole heap of QR codes that linked to shape videos and activities.
Next week we will be having our whole school art week for some collaborative learning.
Monday, 23 March 2015
Week 6 & 7, 2015
Week 6 went by super fast with me only being in the classroom for one day. For Monday and Tuesday I was on a course in Auckland and Thursday and Friday I had release days - one of which was spent observing technology in a junior classroom.
My goal in literacy was to add in some more hand on activities. I did this on Friday by having a bubble themed day with my class. We made, wrote, read, made art etc and it was all themed around bubbles. You can see my blog post about this. I think that it worked so well that I am going to continue to have a Friday themed day. The day will consist of hands on activities that children can experience and do for themselves during this time I take the opportunity to feed in as much vocab as possible.
I have changed my maths calendar back to a similar way that I ran it last year. I find that because it is right beside one of my teaching spaces I also use it and refer to it much more. This week I am moving onto geometry in maths. My goal is to incorporate more technology into the learning of geometry.
After observing technology in another class I have made some adjustments to my own use of technology. During daily 5 my activities are organised into days of the week so that learners are using a variety of apps. I have also started using picollage in maths and I hope to use it in more curriculum areas. I was amazed at how quickly learners were able to use an app and its features!!!! Don't under estimate their ability.
My goal in literacy was to add in some more hand on activities. I did this on Friday by having a bubble themed day with my class. We made, wrote, read, made art etc and it was all themed around bubbles. You can see my blog post about this. I think that it worked so well that I am going to continue to have a Friday themed day. The day will consist of hands on activities that children can experience and do for themselves during this time I take the opportunity to feed in as much vocab as possible.
I have changed my maths calendar back to a similar way that I ran it last year. I find that because it is right beside one of my teaching spaces I also use it and refer to it much more. This week I am moving onto geometry in maths. My goal is to incorporate more technology into the learning of geometry.
After observing technology in another class I have made some adjustments to my own use of technology. During daily 5 my activities are organised into days of the week so that learners are using a variety of apps. I have also started using picollage in maths and I hope to use it in more curriculum areas. I was amazed at how quickly learners were able to use an app and its features!!!! Don't under estimate their ability.
Monday, 9 March 2015
Week 5, 2015
During the week I had Ruth in observing for writing. After her observation I meet with Catriona to discuss what was noticed. Together we decided on having one focus for shared writing. For example in my modelled writing, focus on beginning sounds and only writing these for each word. This focus will change each day depending on the needs within my class. In weeks 6-7 I will be changing my motivation to having students plan their story using a simple picture and then craft their writing from what has been drawn.
My literacy goal was to incorporate some more whole group activities where we can all have some rich language experiences. I didn't achieve this so I am adding these into my week 7 plans so that I ensure they are achieved. My first will be creating big bubbles as a class.
In numeracy I planned to have my maths journal up and running - I didn't achieve this either. I will be completing my first on on Friday week 7. I am also going to alter my maths calendar as I don't think it is as effective as how I was running it last year.
Week 6 is a short teaching week as our school is on the Writing Effectively course by Jeff Anderson for Monday and Tuesday. I am then in my class on Wednesday and have Thursday and Friday out for release days. Thursday I am doing a classroom visit to look at e-learning in a junior class.
Monday, 2 March 2015
Week 4, Term 1 2015
This week I set out to incorporate a oral language programme into my class that will have benefits for all learner especially Year 0-1. I did some research into different practices and decided on one that I could start fairly easily in my class and this is 'play' based discovery learning. This happens from 8.30am-9.30am every morning. Students come into class, set themselves up and then move into our discovery room. During this time there is a range of hands on activities for students to chose from which they can do these individually or in a group. The activities change on a day to day basis with students choosing what they want. Parents/whanau are invited to join their child for the first 30minutes and talk with them about what they are doing. At 9am I join the children and spend time roaming and engaging with them. Together we have rich language experiences and talk about what they are doing. I take this time to feed in as much vocab as possible. Because this is only the first week I can not comment on the effectiveness other than students are all engaged and all have something to write about.
My goal for week 5 in literacy is to incorporate some more whole group activities where we can all have some rich language experiences.
My other goal was in mathematics and that was to implement my maths calendar which I have done. I have been working with 2 groups a day which I think is realistic and allows for teaching, practice and reflecting of a concept. For week 5 I plan to have my maths journal up and running.
My goal for week 5 in literacy is to incorporate some more whole group activities where we can all have some rich language experiences.
My other goal was in mathematics and that was to implement my maths calendar which I have done. I have been working with 2 groups a day which I think is realistic and allows for teaching, practice and reflecting of a concept. For week 5 I plan to have my maths journal up and running.
Wednesday, 25 February 2015
Week 3, Term 1 2015
Week 3 went by super fast. We spent most of the week focusing on Literacy and Numeracy - I have all programmes up and running now which is great, I can start to focus on my guided group work.
For Daily 5 I have got 5 guided groups that complete independent Daily 5 activities when not with me. I have been working to help students set their goals for the term and it has been a little difficult with the holiday break and students moving back a couple of reading sub levels. I can safely say that I have now identified their next steps and what I will be working on with each group.
Each week I am adding 2 new independent activities so they are not overwhelmed. My biggest challenge is having time to fit Shared Reading, Daily 5 and Oral Language in - but will be easier Week 5 when swimming is finished.
My week 4 goal in literacy is to implement an Oral Language programme that is student led and engaging.
Numeracy has been fairly easy to set up with my only new student starting with similar needs to a couple of the others. I am running this as rotation based learning and only pull children out when I need them (no set groups).
At the moment I have students working at Stage 0-1, 2/3 and 4. Some of last years learning has needed recapping so we are spending week 4 going over what we know.
My week 4 goal in numeracy is to have my maths calendar up and running.
As for the other curriculum areas they will be coming through next week.
On Friday we had some bananas ready to go off so I though as a 'fun Friday' language experience we would make smoothies in our class. It was really fun and we were able to incorporate maths, literacy and art into our learning. Below is a photo of the wall display.
For Daily 5 I have got 5 guided groups that complete independent Daily 5 activities when not with me. I have been working to help students set their goals for the term and it has been a little difficult with the holiday break and students moving back a couple of reading sub levels. I can safely say that I have now identified their next steps and what I will be working on with each group.
Each week I am adding 2 new independent activities so they are not overwhelmed. My biggest challenge is having time to fit Shared Reading, Daily 5 and Oral Language in - but will be easier Week 5 when swimming is finished.
My week 4 goal in literacy is to implement an Oral Language programme that is student led and engaging.
Numeracy has been fairly easy to set up with my only new student starting with similar needs to a couple of the others. I am running this as rotation based learning and only pull children out when I need them (no set groups).
At the moment I have students working at Stage 0-1, 2/3 and 4. Some of last years learning has needed recapping so we are spending week 4 going over what we know.
My week 4 goal in numeracy is to have my maths calendar up and running.
As for the other curriculum areas they will be coming through next week.
On Friday we had some bananas ready to go off so I though as a 'fun Friday' language experience we would make smoothies in our class. It was really fun and we were able to incorporate maths, literacy and art into our learning. Below is a photo of the wall display.
Tuesday, 17 February 2015
2015 Term 1
It has been a great start for the year in Room 6. I have 8 students which is great - so much 1:1 learning.
We have started off the year setting up expectations and routines. This has got off to a good start but I can see students starting to test the boundaries - thats ok, I was prepared for it and as a class we are working through any interruptions we may have. I am not currently running my normal timetable as we are at the town pools for 1 hour of the day so I don't have much room for any learning other than reading, writing and maths. This however may work in my favour as children are very clear on my expectation for these three subjects.
In reading I am running the Daily 5 again so we have been spending time setting it up and learning how to do each activity.
In maths we began by doing statistics. We are now on to number. I am running this the same as last year and pulling students out based on their needs rather than having set groups.
In writing I am also continuing the same routine as last year where my students each have individual learning goals and I group students based on their needs (once again no set groups).
In reading, writing and maths I will be running mini teacher inquiries as to how I can improve my own teaching . I will share these as the term progresses. Below are 3 that I am addressing now.
We have started off the year setting up expectations and routines. This has got off to a good start but I can see students starting to test the boundaries - thats ok, I was prepared for it and as a class we are working through any interruptions we may have. I am not currently running my normal timetable as we are at the town pools for 1 hour of the day so I don't have much room for any learning other than reading, writing and maths. This however may work in my favour as children are very clear on my expectation for these three subjects.
In reading I am running the Daily 5 again so we have been spending time setting it up and learning how to do each activity.
In maths we began by doing statistics. We are now on to number. I am running this the same as last year and pulling students out based on their needs rather than having set groups.
In writing I am also continuing the same routine as last year where my students each have individual learning goals and I group students based on their needs (once again no set groups).
In reading, writing and maths I will be running mini teacher inquiries as to how I can improve my own teaching . I will share these as the term progresses. Below are 3 that I am addressing now.
Literacy
Increase oral language. - My students are entering school with very low oral language (I think this is becoming an issue across the country) so I am looking at how I can add activities into my already busy programme.
Numeracy
Have children explain what they are learning, why and how they will know they have learnt it. - I achieved this last year in writing and am hoping that I can find a similar concept that works for my students.
Other curriculum areas
This year we have got iPads in the classes and I am wanting to find how I can best use them in my class for all curriculum areas (I can download apps etc but I want to get the best learning for my students).
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