Planning for back-to-school just got easier with this carefully curated list of ideas, tips, suggestions, and resources for your secondary classroom - in any subject! 1) Teacher Planning and Organization: Calendars, planners, notes, Oh My! The list goes on and on for what the teacher needs to get organized and feel ready-to-go for the first days of school. For me, that's my planner and my high-level curriculum map. In the past it has been hard to find a planner perfectly suitable to the unique schedules of the secondary world, so I … [Read more...]
Collecting Data in the Classroom: A Student-Directed Data Program for Middle and High School
It’s a daunting task: collecting data in the classroom. Setting up a data program and managing it is not only a lot of work, but it can also be confusing. Typically, data folders are created and then left to collect dust on a shelf. Those are the kind of data folders or portfolios that are teacher or admin driven – just to check the box, so to speak. But what if it didn’t have to be that way – really? For years my students have charted their own data and reflected weekly on their learning with much success. My data program started with … [Read more...]
Treating “Activity-itis” (Assessing and Adding Value and Quality to Activities)
Class time is precious and limited. With so many standards to cover and stakes being so high, it is imperative that everything we put in front of our students be standards-based, purposeful, and designed to drive and assess student growth. Over the years, I've reflected on some activities that I've done with students and realized that maybe just maybe :) some of them were "fluff" in terms of standards. Don't get me wrong. Some assignments are fun, make personal connections, or meet other goals. However, some are just not designed to do much … [Read more...]
