The Challenger Dispatch
Feb. 22-26, 2016 Pink Week
Proper Praise
Have a great week of work!
Michele
But… The Work IS Great.
The problem is: what the heck do you say? It really was a “great job.” It exceeded standards. There’s nothing to really correct.
In that case, use affective questions (questions about feelings) to talk about the work rather than just the product:
- What part did you enjoy the most?
- What was the hardest part for you?
- What part are you most proud of?
- What did you spend the longest on?
- What part were you most worried about?
With affective questions, there’s no right or wrong answers. And these set up some nice probing questions to pull more from students:
- Oh really? Why do you say that?
- I see. What do you think caused that?
- Is that true for you a lot of the time?
- Do you think most people agree with that or disagree?
- When did you start thinking that?
And you can gently pop your opinion in:
- Oh, that makes sense now. I see that you were trying to explain that, but the wording wasn’t quite right. Thanks.
- I could tell that was probably your favorite part – your excitement came through in your writing.
- I really liked that part also. I had never seen someone do it like that.
De-Stress Them First
Some students will squirm when they have to sit down and chat about their work. They’re probably thinking: “OMG. What did I do wrong? Why doesn’t she get to the point? What’s my grade?” Tackle it head on:
Hey [stressed out perfect student]! We’re going to talk a bit about your paper, but don’t worry… nothing’s wrong! I haven’t even graded it yet. I want to know your thoughts first.
Will this take some time? Yes, but do it while the others are working on something. Make the time. The information you’ll gather will be so worth it, plus you’re helping these kids get used to chatting with authority.
Writing Prompts - Opinion/Argumentive - This week
Guidelines:
Rubrics are located on Edmodo – Challenger Writing Folder
This is a COLD prompt. There is no preteaching.
Prompts are timed at 30 minutes
Notes/maps can be used
The prompt is to be handwritten
Students need first and last name on paper
Scoring is to take place AS A GRADE LEVEL. Do not score the writing before that.
Scores will be given for content and well as organization/focus Ex. 3/2 indicates 3 on the rubric for content and 2 for organization/focus.
Surveys - Deadline by Friday
Deadline – February 29, 2016
2015-16 Elementary Collaborative Teachers Survey (Students)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GHBTG5G
2015-16 Librarians Survey (Students)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QKZKR5B
2015-16 Instructional Coach/Instructional Partners/Curriculum Specialist Survey (Teachers)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WJLRKDP
2015-15 AP/TOSA, ES, MS, JUNIOR HIGH, AND P8 Survey (Teachers)
Left foot, left foot, left foot, right!
Magnificent ideas for word choice
May you have a lemony, vibrant week!
DST Tidbits (Discipline, Safety, Technology) Yeldell
Discipline
Sometimes those students who are constantly fidgeting or just can't sit still become a classroom distraction. Perhaps it's nervous behavior, immaturity, or a case of ADHD which soon begin to make your patient teacher skills non-existent. I've definitely been there. Whatever the case might be the link below provides 17 different strategies to try in the classroom.
http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/17-ways-help-students-adhd-fidget