tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.comments2016-07-29T05:40:03.374-07:00Teach 'n' LifeBecky Reighardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-83474757036862839422016-07-24T06:04:15.542-07:002016-07-24T06:04:15.542-07:00I leave the walls empty, and let students know I e...I leave the walls empty, and let students know I expect to see their ideas / photos / work on them. We start the year with their photos and they choose character traits to write or print around them. They choose the size of everything, including a background color/shape, and where to put it on the walls. After open house, I hear a lot of "I don't like my picture, can I take it down?" and so I let them replace it with something else of theirs. They LOVE this, and create drawings or sculptures, or whatEVER. The room looks a bit wild, but it is surely student-driven/decorated! I began this as soon as I gave my desk over to them...! Did you want tot ry that?? ;) http://geniushour.blogspot.com/2015/08/student-station-success.htmlJoy Kirrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08883167887036480979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-59463033958538033732013-11-30T21:24:47.584-08:002013-11-30T21:24:47.584-08:00A beautiful tribute to a lovely lady. How lucky ar...A beautiful tribute to a lovely lady. How lucky are you that she embraced you so in her life!<br /><br />I have been meaning to write you for ages...life has been full of loss for me this fall, and work has been sucking the life and spirit from my soul. I'll try to write more when I'm on the "ups," but wanted you to know I happened upon your blog tonight, and I was very touched by your poignant and compelling validation on your grandma....<br /><br />JaneJane Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09297965468331091841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-91068256113211551242013-07-28T12:21:56.864-07:002013-07-28T12:21:56.864-07:00Thank you so much for sharing your link, Chris. I ...Thank you so much for sharing your link, Chris. I will definitely check that out. And I look forward to your email and talking more with you!Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-28407659383595064122013-07-28T11:51:40.829-07:002013-07-28T11:51:40.829-07:00Becky,
Some of our teachers expressed similar conc...Becky,<br />Some of our teachers expressed similar concerns at the start of using Rocket Math. It IS a lot to organize. However, the teachers that took the time to organize well and teach explicit procedures found that the whole process didn't take longer than the 5-7 minutes as the program states. Lyn Hiltnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-71775957956690698902013-07-28T11:47:30.787-07:002013-07-28T11:47:30.787-07:00Hey Becky - I am hesitant to engage publicly as I ...Hey Becky - I am hesitant to engage publicly as I think this is a private discussion that should occur within the school before a public discussion regarding a colleague (although I completely understand your concerns and value the fact that you are reaching out to your network - I just worry that this could lead to other problems within the department/school). I have some very passionate thoughts on this that align with your concerns so will email them to you. I have written about my issues with rewards here as well: http://chriswejr.com/2011/07/21/my-issue-with-rewards/<br /><br />Chris Wejrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12780371633522986214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-69145177060586270362013-07-28T10:24:11.637-07:002013-07-28T10:24:11.637-07:00You're very welcome, Bonnie! Sometimes people ...You're very welcome, Bonnie! Sometimes people get so focused on the "stuff" that they truly miss out on the wonderful relationships to be had. Mine is just one example. I hope your course goes well! :)Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-3493298156115418532013-07-28T10:18:54.324-07:002013-07-28T10:18:54.324-07:00Thank you so much for sharing, Pernille. Your niec...Thank you so much for sharing, Pernille. Your niece hit the nail on the head. Our school is supposedly focusing on a growth mindset, yet this type of program flies in the face of that. Not only will it teach the kids false things about their math skills, it will also falsely show them that unless you can do everything the rest of the process is worthless. Not the message I want to send!Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-33248076946443954912013-07-28T10:14:42.975-07:002013-07-28T10:14:42.975-07:00Lyn, you hit on many of the concerns I've been...Lyn, you hit on many of the concerns I've been mulling over in my mind. If I have the choice and don't participate then it's almost like my kids are being punished and I don't want to put them in that position. <br /><br />It's funny you brought up Rocket Math. My teammate and I use Math Baskets, but the person who developed this has actually used Rocket Math in the past. This teacher wants to get away from that program because it takes too much time in class and takes to long for the kids to learn their facts. Hence this new program. But setting timelines and deadlines aren't going to make kids learn if they aren't ready for it, and that's the key here. "Students are expected to enter 4th grade knowing their basic multiplication facts." And unfortunately, if you don't you're going to be punished for it. :( <br /><br />I will figure out a way around this, but being the bad guy (according to many people on the team) sure is starting to take all of the fun out of teaching.Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-83940619843536188242013-07-28T10:05:00.467-07:002013-07-28T10:05:00.467-07:00Thanks for your input, Trever. I agree that the ki...Thanks for your input, Trever. I agree that the kids should be able to get what they earn if we have to participate. By not allowing them to participate we are instilling a fixed mindset of all of nothing in our students, and that is a huge problem for me. Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-54693734997986743062013-07-28T09:50:24.941-07:002013-07-28T09:50:24.941-07:00Thank you Becky, for this post. It's a wonderf...Thank you Becky, for this post. It's a wonderful illustration about the power of being connected, and not specifically for education. Though that's my primary reason for connecting, having examples like yours clarifies the usefulness in today's world. Plus, I'm about to kick off a course about becoming connected educators and love your post as a reason why! I'm so glad you got to meet your buddies face to face.Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10937583693955648640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-90843183881607067662013-07-28T09:25:18.791-07:002013-07-28T09:25:18.791-07:00You are absolutely right to say no to this for all...You are absolutely right to say no to this for all of the reasons listed. Plus, kids learn at different rates because of how they are wired, this incentive program totally dismisses that. My niece did this exact program and while she said she got her whole sundae there were kids that didn't. Not only did she feel bad for those kids, but she also thought they struggled with math. Some of my best students in math struggle with regurgitation of facts when it is timed, and yet they know them. What would a program like this teach them falsely about their math skills! Pernille Ripphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08664101868856118868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-71662454060671926862013-07-28T09:00:01.874-07:002013-07-28T09:00:01.874-07:00One-size-fits-all approaches to anything on the te...One-size-fits-all approaches to anything on the team level really are to the detriment of individual student needs and do not take into account the important personal philosophies and skill sets of each teacher. When something like this is expected in all classes, if a class like yours chooses not to participate, regardless of the reasons why, the kids are going to miss out on something "fun," and they're going to feel like they're being punished (even though they are being better served in the long run!) But, they are kids, and ice cream is ice cream! So that is very unfortunate and unfair of your colleagues to put you in that position. I'd have a conversation with your administrator sharing the research you've found and the reasons why you would like your children to pursue a different method of fact mastery. <br /><br />And #4 is absolute idiocy. <br /><br />In our school we used a program called Rocket Math to help kids learn their facts. They set goals, as Matt describes, based on their own mastery and progress through the program. They're not up against anyone else and they have multiple chances to demonstrate that mastery in their own way. I'm not saying it's a perfect system, and I know a lot of schools do attach incentives to it, so it's all in how you approach it with kids. <br /><br />Do I think SOME students benefit from incentives attached to learning and reaching goals? I do. I think there are some that are highly motivated by this extrinsic process because they've not yet internalized the importance of learning for learning's sake. I think when students view their progress on a chart or graph, it can be motivating. But it certainly shouldn't be publicly posted. Talk about soul crushing for the students who are progressing at a slower pace.<br /><br />Do I think whole class and whole system incentive programs, for learning or behavior, are effective? Nope. They're unnecessary drains of time and money. Every child needs to be treated and respected as an individual. Systems like this do nothing to change behaviors in the long run. And they don't "teach responsibility" either. <br /><br />I'd stand your ground and find another way to make all kids feel valued and special for their efforts and achievements. I know you can do it! L. Hilthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06715675068258640106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-28301432464543427332013-07-28T08:31:40.059-07:002013-07-28T08:31:40.059-07:00Becky,
Yes, I used a different assessment plan th...Becky,<br /><br />Yes, I used a different assessment plan that didn't really align with the team's timed test approach. I used many math-based projects/games to provide authentic situations where multiplication was required. I had many brief formative assessments and one summative. All were untimed as I found that many students had anxiety issues related to these types of tests. The students/class used self-reflection strategies and journaling to connect their effort and growth. My administration at the time didn't seem to mind as I was covering the same objectives. The next year a district-wide wellness program basically nixed the multiplication sundae incentive. <br />Matthttp://educationalaspirations.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-79836670298737792442013-07-28T01:05:43.637-07:002013-07-28T01:05:43.637-07:00Personally, I think that the incentive might work ...Personally, I think that the incentive might work for some students and its worth exploring if some students can benefit from it.<br /><br />I think if you earn a scoop by mastering the 1's and others than a student should be able to attend. It doesn't make any sense to deny a student what they earned by saying the didn't complete it all. <br /><br />That being said, I am all for incentives and rewards in the classroom when they motivate students.Trever Reehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16317920102232542135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-46586164683453631252013-07-27T22:54:57.505-07:002013-07-27T22:54:57.505-07:00Hi Matt,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts ...Hi Matt,<br />Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and your support. I really like the way you focused on setting goals and the kids' progress rather than the incentive program. Did you use other assessments to measure their mastery or did you have another plan in place?<br /><br />Unfortunately, because of philosophies on very different ends of the spectrum, I know my students would not be able to join in the ice cream eating like yours were. But should that be a big deal? How can I help my students see and value the growth they've made as enough of a reward? <br /><br />In my mind, I see rewards as something you get when you go above and beyond, when you do something that's not part of your regular job, whatever that job may be. Learning math facts is just something a 4th grader does. And this is where I'm stuck. They're 9 - big whoop if they have some ice cream, but really, do they need it?Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-90084884662412008162013-07-27T21:01:01.525-07:002013-07-27T21:01:01.525-07:00We had a similar multiplication sundae incentive p...We had a similar multiplication sundae incentive program a few years back with third grade. Some classes participated in the program, but mine didn't. I think you're right to stand your ground on this issue. Even though my class didn't participate in the 1s = ? topping, 2s, 3s, etc., my students were still invited to the sundae party at the end of the program. I just used a different measure to demonstrate mastery. I didn't focus on the sundae and toppings. Instead I emphasized the importance of setting goals, monitoring progress and reflecting on progress made. The students didn't mind and when the time came they were able to eat the ice cream with the rest of their peers.Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-62710756874446092672013-07-15T19:07:32.984-07:002013-07-15T19:07:32.984-07:00I refuse to get caught up in the ridiculous hype. ...I refuse to get caught up in the ridiculous hype. I'm going with the mindset that if I just do what is right by my kids it will all work out in the end. <br /><br />Or I'll just have to figure out what else I can do when I grow up! ;)Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-6759974914654792702013-07-15T18:58:01.165-07:002013-07-15T18:58:01.165-07:00I find it shocking you've not been formally ob...I find it shocking you've not been formally observed in five years. They're absolutely going to have to do that now. <br />There are some benefits to this plan, but the way it's being rolled out is unprofessional. Don't come to us with a system that's incomplete. It's caused waves of hysteria among teachers and causing admin to stress in plenty of districts. <br />Not cool. L. Hilthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08257907941877649966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-75666650533399608692013-07-14T12:30:58.653-07:002013-07-14T12:30:58.653-07:00Thanks, Justin. It's been a challenging time, ...Thanks, Justin. It's been a challenging time, but I'm already feeling better just in these last few days.<br /><br />Your fun charts are definitely adding in some laughter for me! ;)Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-66938665025565889872013-07-13T14:28:50.780-07:002013-07-13T14:28:50.780-07:00Ugh. So sorry to hear about your leg. No fun at al...Ugh. So sorry to hear about your leg. No fun at all.<br /><br />I'm glad you're getting some priorities resettled. My word for the last two years has been. <b>simplify</b>.<br /><br />I wish you the best reflection and introspection for the rest of the summer.<br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/newfirewithin" rel="nofollow">- @newfirewithin</a>Justin Stortzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567054196972469484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-13836914436065744482013-07-08T20:16:24.466-07:002013-07-08T20:16:24.466-07:00I love this. I've had one for years at my wife...I love this. I've had one for years at my wife's request. I look back on it often. Justin Stortzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567054196972469484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-29066060455208817442013-07-08T20:00:12.362-07:002013-07-08T20:00:12.362-07:00"It’s not about the adults, it’s about what’s...<b>"It’s not about the adults, it’s about what’s best for the kids.”</b><br /><br />Sometimes that is so hard to do in practice. I'm sure those conversations took some courage to have. Thanks for sharing your journey. Justin Stortzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567054196972469484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-61661441857976266472013-06-25T07:34:25.153-07:002013-06-25T07:34:25.153-07:00Thanks, Justin. This will be the first time in a L...Thanks, Justin. This will be the first time in a LONG time that I haven't switched grade levels or changed my teaching responsibilities after 2 or 3 years. I'm definitely excited to see how we change and grow this year.<br /><br />Becky Reighardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-81848938229372495352013-06-25T07:26:09.274-07:002013-06-25T07:26:09.274-07:00And there is nothing wrong with staying put. You w...And there is nothing wrong with staying put. You will be used where you need to be used.<br /><br />It fees so good to be confident about a choice. Your students and families next year will be blessed for it.<br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/newfirewithin" rel="nofollow">- @newfirewithin</a>Justin Stortzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567054196972469484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-90382068073668717462013-06-20T16:57:41.077-07:002013-06-20T16:57:41.077-07:00What a great idea! I absolutely love the concept o...What a great idea! I absolutely love the concept of a Feel Good Folder. I think that we all need those times to look back and remember all of those happy moments in teaching (as sometimes things can get stressful). I'm starting a Feel Good Folder for sure!<br /><br />AvivaAviva (@avivaloca)http://adunsiger.comnoreply@blogger.com