RMS Weekly Event Calendar
September 10 - September 14
Asking students to think!
What went wrong?
Questions?
Asking why?
Mrs. Lee's Hands-on Learning Classroom
Learning by Doing!
Mrs. Agee's Students are Learning to Cook!
Problem Solving at Its Best!!
What's going on at RMS?
I have seen so many great learning activities going on in our classrooms and activities that require students to think critically. Our goal as educators is not to teach students to memorize and recall, but to provide students with the knowledge and skills that they can use to problem solve and take their learning to the next level.
Critical thinking learning activities require thought processes that are deeper than memorization or just the simple recall of information. When students are thinking critically, they are going beyond the basic facts and are taking an additional step by actually doing something with their learning.
Critical thinking involves:
- reflection
- moving from memorization and recall of information to a deeper level of learning
- a change of mindset where the learner no longer looks at the teacher as the giver of information, rather the student looks at the teacher as facilitator of learning
- evaluation and application
So how do we make our classrooms a place where critical thinking is the norm and not the exception:
- Ask students open-ended questions. Students need to understand and be prepared that many times there is not just one answer or explanation. Students need to be able to defend their positions and be willing to hear others' thoughts, ideas, and solutions. Rather than asking students to regurgitate facts and information, ask students the "Why", "What, and "Hows" that require them think beyond the level of recall.
- Provide "inquiry based" learning activities for students to explore the content and capitalize on their own interests and skills.
- Allow students to collaborate with each other in the learning process through guided discussions and debates.
- Allow students to demonstrate their learning in non-traditional methods.
The list could go on and on. Students learn best when they are active participants in the learning and not receivers of information. They learn best in classrooms and learning environments where they are challenged and encouraged to think deeper than the surface. Students desire an environment where they can express themselves and defend their positions. Does this take work? Absolutely! But it is definitely worth the extra work and effort to see out students improve each day!
This week I encourage each teacher to provide learning activities and opportunities for students to think critically. I hope to see classrooms where students are engaged in discussion, debate, creativity, and exploration. I look forward to hearing what students are saying about their learning and how they are demonstrating their understanding! Let's all have a great week of "Critical Thinking" at RMS!
Monday, September 10
- Fundraiser Kickoff - RMS Gym - 1st Period
- RCS Budget Hearing - RCS Boardroom - 3:30 p.m.
- RMS Volleyball vs. Haleyville - Away - 5:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 11
- Severe Weather Drill - 4th Period
- RMS Football vs. Lawrence Co. - Home - 5:30 p.m.
- RCS Cross Country @ Clements XC Invitational - Athens, AL - Varsity Girls @ 5:45 p.m. & Varsity Boys @ 6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, September 12
- 8th Grade Yearbook Party - Cafeteria - 7th Period
- Faculty Meeting - Media Center - Immediately after school
Thursday, September 13
- Board Meeting - RCS Boardroom - 8:00 a.m.
- Flu Shots for Students - TBD
- Progress Reports - Will be given out in 7th period
- 7th Grade Yearbook Party - Cafeteria - 7th period
Friday, September 14
- RHS Football vs. Hayden - Away - 7:00 p.m.
Weekend Activities
- RCS Cross Country @ Fairview Invitationsl - Fairview, AL - September 15th , Varsity Girls @ 9:00 a.m. & Varsity Boys @ 9:30 a.m.