BARBER BULLETIN
Week of May 16-20
FINISHING THE SCHOOL YEAR STRONG by Larry Ferlazzo
This article is adapted from Helping Students Motivate Themselves: Practical Answers to Classroom Challenges by Larry Ferlazzo, just published by Eye on Education.
Those last few weeks of school can be challenging, and it is understandable that both students and teachers would be tempted to "slack-off" a bit. However, it is important for the future of our students that we actually "step up" the quality and intensity of what is happening in our classrooms during that time period.
Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman tells about an experiment done in the 1990’s when two groups of patients were given colonoscopies. One group "finished" when the procedure was completed. The other group stayed a while longer, believing the procedure was continuing when in fact it had ended—so the pain was gone or reduced dramatically. The second group described the procedure afterward as much less painful than the first group did, even though both groups had recorded similar levels of pain during the procedure except for the extra time provided the second group. Kahneman uses this example to explain that we have an "experiencing self" and a "remembering self."
The "remembering self" is comprised of the one or two "peak" moments we have had in a situation combined with how it ends (this is known as the "Peak/End Rule"). It is the remembering self that tends to stick with us and the one we use to frame future decisions.
From this perspective, what occurs in the final weeks of our classes will have a huge influence on how students feel about—and make future decisions related to—learning, schooling, the subject you are teaching, how they might feel about future teachers (and how they might feel about future male or female teachers, depending on your gender), showing leadership in a class, etc.
This time near the end of the year provides us the opportunity to help students finish strong, with a peak or two to remember as well. Here are a few suggestions on things we can do for students and ourselves during the final weeks.
Introducing the Idea of a Strong Finish
Students can reflect on these two questions, turning their answers into posters that can be hung around the classroom as reminders and shared with each other:
• What are three things you can do to help finish the school year strong academically?
• What is one thing you can do to help your classmates finish the year strong academically?
Students’ own unit plan: Have small groups of students identify a topic in which they have a high-degree of interest, prepare a full-fledged unit instructional plan on the topic, and then teach a portion to the class or to another small group. Allowing students to assume the teacher's role can be a strong motivator near the end of the school year. Students should use whatever engaging instructional methods have been previously used in the class.
Other cooperative learning projects: If a student-created unit plan does not sound like a good idea for some reason, other cooperative learning lessons and strategies, including problem-based and project-based learning, can be a good alternative. Here's my list of best sites.
Field trip—real and/or virtual: A local, or not-so-local, field trip can always be an energizer. Learning activities in the days leading-up to the trip that are specifically related to the trip—followed by reflections afterward—can provide a good week’s worth of engagement. Sometimes a "real" field trip can be challenging logistically and financially. But thanks to Web 2.0 technology, you can now have students create their own virtual field trips. There are many free websites that will let users easily create virtual field trips. Students can use these applications to visit places online, describe them, and show them to their classmates.
Other technology projects: In general, the end of the school year is a great time to take the leap and try out more technology integration in your classroom. Engage students with learning experiences that are a good fit with digital tools and techniques. Create online projects for "authentic audiences" where people other than the teacher can see and comment on them.
How Can Teachers Stay Energized?
The previous suggestions relate to how we can help our students stay focused. What can teachers do to keep their own teaching energy turned up? Here are a few ideas that are modified versions of what community organizers (I was one for 19 years) are often urged to do when they are feeling "burned-out":
Read a stimulating book: Finding an intellectually-stimulating book (or article) on teaching and learning might get you excited to try out some new things—even though it’s the end of the year.
Watch an intellectually stimulating video on the Web: Watching one of the numerousshort and thought-provoking videos on the Web from sites like TED Talks, The Big Think, Ignite, Big Ideas Fest or Pop!Tech is another option. These videos are free and showcase presentations by people who are doing some of the most "cutting-edge" thinking and working in the world.
Write something useful for other teachers: Whether it’s a blog post or a lesson plan to be shared (or something else), forcing yourself to craft something public can keep your mind sharp.
Though we generally think of the word "end" as a conclusion, we should keep in mind it comes from the Greek word anti, which means "before." While we might think we're concluding the school year, we are really—much more importantly—setting students, and ourselves, up for what comes next.
Hydrocephalus Walk is Saturday at 9am at PES!
If you are able to volunteer for the walk in anyway - even if it just for an hour - please let a Student Council sponsor know!
FIRE INSPECTION REMINDER FROM THE DISTRICT
1. In-classroom Bathrooms cannot have anything stored in them. This is a health hazard as well as a fire system violation. If there is Toilet or sink in the bathroom it is considered a bathroom. This is not negotiable with the Fire Marshall.
2.Every class has window exit in case of fire. They cannot be blocked by furniture
3. There should not be curtains on the windows. If they are there they must be tagged with a fire tag of some sort to prove they are fire proof. If treated by an individual, there must be documentation of the product used.
4. Artificial plants are prohibited in the building unless they have been fire treated by the manufacture.
Thank you for ensuring these areas are safe in the event of an upcoming fire inspection!
A message from Victoria Rentschler:
In late June, I plan to visit Spain to teach English as a second language as part of a missions project. I will be there for six weeks. I am in the last stages of raising financial support and am so excited for this opportunity to grow by teaching in another culture!
One thing that I enjoy doing in my free time is photography. I am by no means a professional, but it has been a fun "side thing" that I have done over the years.
This week and next week, I am taking free family photos! This is great for graduates, couples, or families who would like a few shots! You can give a donation of any amount, large or small and it will be tax-deductible towards the Spain project.
We can meet at the Horseshoe or State House gardens, or if you would like to have pictures taken somewhere else, we can talk!
If you are interested in participating, contact me by email at rentschlerve@gmail.com or at (803) 421-9837 to coordinate!
A LOOK AT OUR WEEK AHEAD
3:30pm Interested in an intern? Join PDS for refreshments in the media center!
Tuesday: NO GLOBAL due to testing
Science PASS testing for 4th and 5th grades
(Dress comfortable due to testing!)
2nd grade writing assessment
6pm HeadStart Transition program held in PES cafeteria
Wednesday: NO GLOBAL due to testing
Soc.St. PASS testing for 4th and 5th grades
(Dress comfortable due to testing)
2nd grade writing assessment
3:30pm Dave Foster retirement drop in at Forest Lake
3:30pm Parrot Prep for new teachers
Thursday: F Day
7:45am School Improvement Council meeting
1:30pm Verizon Reading Mentors celebration
3:30pm Bridal Shower for Lauren Belk
6:00pm Skate Night - Please encourage your students to attend!
Friday: FIELD DAY