This week has been pretty crazy as all of my professors try to cram in everything before we leave for spring break. I have to say though, I'm pretty thankful that I won't be worried about work on break. It can hopefully be very relaxing!
This week at Washington, I got to experience some pretty neat things. I saw something unique in my class where the teacher gave each of the students a dry erase marker and a sock. She then allowed them to write their math problems right on the desk and work everything out without using any paper. I definitely plan to use this idea in my future classroom because all of the kids loved it! Each student was engaged and working hard. It also gave them plenty of space to show all of their work without having to try to cram it all in a little section on a worksheet. For younger students who tend to write large, this is such a great way to help them get all of their information written down.
Also this week, we had our midyear PDP meetings. After meeting with Dr. Parker, I got redirected in the direction that I want to go in order to make sure I am benefiting from working to reach my goals. This week, I found an awesome website that really gets students engaged in social studies. It's called iCivics and students can play games that are directly related to social studies topics. For example, I played a game that put me as a presidential candidate, running the race to get elected to the White House. This connects to the NCTCS standards 2B and 4D. Students get to choose the issues that they care for or relate to, which will be entirely different for each student in the classroom. By allowing the students to do this, we as teachers are embracing diversity in our classroom, as well as recognizing it around the world. We are also integrating technology by allowing the students to play virtual games that keep them interested, but at the same time, learning important social studies topics.
I hope every one has a great week, and an awesome spring break!!
Megan,
ReplyDeleteit sounds like we all have been through the ringer lately with school work, but thankfully we get a break! I had no clue that you could write on the desk with dry erase markers. That's so beneficial to know. I'm sure the students absolutely loved it; I know I would have! I've heard of iCivics before, but I've never explored the app. That sounds like a creative way to get students engaged and interested in Social Studies. Hope you have a great break!
Megan, I totally agree with you on professors giving so much right before break. It's a lot but we'll make it! As far as doing math on the desk. I have never heard of that idea. That is very neat. Wish I could've experienced that too. I might actually use that in my classroom. A great way to get the students engaged and excited about math! That would get me excited if I could write on my desk! Great job and hope you enjoy your break!
ReplyDeleteMegan,
ReplyDeleteI agree that this past week professors have really piled on the work! Fortunately, we got a little break from the flipped lesson plan, and we will thankfully be much more prepared when we write them after spring break! I LOVE the idea of letting the students write on their desks and then erase it. That is a wonderful way to keep them engaged and also help those students who have trouble writing small. This would be a very effective method of learning math, because it would only take a small swipe to erase any mistakes while learning. This facilitates learning because students will not be afraid to make mistakes when they can so easily erase them. Great work Megan, I hope you have a lovely Spring Break!
Megan,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you found iCivics - it is a great resource. I hope things are still going well with your PDP.