Mentee Minute
November 15, 2013 ~ Volume 15
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's... Oh My!!
November Events
~ Thursday, November 21st - PD Teacher Toolbox
~ November 25th - 29th - Thanksgiving Holidays
Mentee Monthly Observation Reflection
Please be sure to complete the reflection below after you have reviewed your October monthly observation in Eduphoria. This information will be shared with your mentor. Deadline: Wednesday 11/20
Preparing your class for exams
The last few weeks of the semester seem to fly by more quickly than expected. It's important to plan communication best practices and review activities to help prepare your students for their online final exams. Here are some ideas.
Policy to include:
* All students must take the final exam, no exam exemptions.
* Students should check with facilitator about requirements for exams to be monitored.
* Exams must be taken on exam day. No early exams.
*Last day to submit late work from 11/11 to 11/22 is midnight 12/3.
* Tell students to check registration for final grades. You can not email or give final grades out over the phone.
Create an End of Semester Bulletin Board
Students appreciate visual reminders of upcoming deadlines and policies. Try creating a helpful bulletin board announcement, like Alice Johnson's best practice example shown here, to increase communication.
Start talking about the End of the Semester at your Adobe Sessions
It's never to early to start talking about the end of the semester. Kelly Gardner shared her end of the semester power point template. This is a great way to start or end an Adobe session.
Communicate in your Course Updates
Parents will appreciate the advanced notice that GaVS has an early end to the semester. Go ahead and share the dates of the final exams with parents and students in your course updates.
Tell Students How to Review and What to Expect
Are there certain topics or lessons that students traditionally struggle with in your course? Do you have a final exam study guide to share? Will there be an essay on the exam? Can you make a suggested study schedule for students? Proactively providing resources and expectations will help alleviate testing anxiety.
Plan an Adobe Review Session
What better way to encourage your students to attend an Adobe session! Offer sample questions, review topics, and an open question and answer time. You'll be amazed how many students will attend.
Create a Final Exam Review Discussion Board
Encourage students to begin reviewing by posting review questions in a discussion board. You can also post general questions that you receive in email about the final exam. Encourage students to work together to answer the questions and provide examples or class notes that support their work.
Last Minute Communcation with Stakeholders
It is not uncommon to receive last minute communication from stakeholders about grades and progress as we approach the end of the semester. Remember that proper etiquette and taking a few extra minutes to offer explanations goes a long way. Making a personal phone call can also help when it is difficult to communicate through email. Be sure to document all communication in the communication log and provide just the facts. It's important to follow policy and seek guidance when needed from your mentor or department chair.
Grade Reporting Procedures
Be sure to watch the Grade Reporting Videos in the teacher forum in their entirety before proceeding to enter grades.
Note the important points below:
1. Verify rosters (compare classlist with registration).
2. Call any students on FRIDAY morning who have not taken final exams.
3. Double check the gradebook is complete (no missing grades).
4. Be sure all finals are graded.
5. Add in any extra points/drop any grades (see TF for grade dropping procedures).
6. Now, follow grade reporting videos, enter grades, complete verification.
Step 1 ~ Toolbox for Teachers
Step 2 ~ Teaching
Step 3 ~ Semester Wrap Up
Let us know what you think and how we can help you.
Meet the Authors
Joyce Bearden ~ GaVS 2013/2014 Teacher of the Year; GaVS 2013/2014 Mentor of the Year; GaVS Latin Instructor since 2009
Kelly Gardner ~ GaVS 2012/2013 & 2013/2014 Teacher of the Year Finalist; GaVS English Department Mentor; GaVS English Instructor since 2007