Communication Is Key

A lot of my students struggle with turning assignments in and it is extremely frustrating. I have created a class website to involve parents more and allow them to see what we did in class, what is coming up in class and what assignments are due and when. The website was really easy to use because I used a site that is so user friendly. Check out our class's website @ room121.weebly.com

Our class has previously used Friday recess as a time for students to make up assignments and to act as a punishment for not turning in work. Friday is always a chaotic day and most students that haven't turned in work end up going to recess anyway because we never get around to telling them they are missing assignments. I decided to start recording those students with missing assignments on the white board in the back of class to let students know they are missing assignments. Once missing assignments are turned in, students can erase their name and attend Friday recess.

I have also started to meet with students during lunch to give them extra time to study or finish work. Most students these days don't spend their time after school doing homework, instead they are planted in front of a tv screen or sitting at their computers. I like to allow students time to finish their work in the classroom, but it is quite frustrating when students don't take advantage of that time I give them!

It also seems that a lot of what I do send home doesn't make it to the parents and therefore work doesn't get finished. Although it is not the responsibility of the parent for the student to get their work done, it is helpful to have parents involved in reminding and keeping their students on track. I want to establish a connection with the parents by emailing and calling on a weekly basis.

That is all for now...the first day of transitioning to lead teaching was a good one and I think it will continue to get better!

Back to Reality...

Two weeks is not long enough! Winter break flew by as I prepared to take over the classroom and organize my work over the past 4 months. Over break, instead of sitting back and relaxing (trust me I did plenty of that too!), I worked on my portfolio, resume, teaching statement, searched school districts I was interested in and began to outline my lead teaching time. This break was a great way for me to get ahead and begin thinking about the future. I used weebly to make my online portfolio because it is so easy and it looks great.

Next week I take over the majority of the classroom duties and subjects, I cannot wait! I am trying out new things with my class and am fortunate enough to have that kind of freedom. I am rearranging the desks, assigning student jobs and incorporating literature circles and other activities that I would like to utilize in my future classroom.

Over the next few weeks I am going to try and write a blog or two per week describing the new things I am trying in my class. I want to see what works and what doesn't for my class now and in the future.

I have added a new "gadget"" on the left side of the site to help anyone that would like a list of the resources I have collected over the past 4 months. Delicious is a great site to share resources and links with others. I also use Twitter to follow teachers and find great resources. For all of you Twitter haters, try it please! It really does work well for teachers and if used properly could be implemented in your own classroom.