1/27/11 2:40

Well what do you know another snow day.  I have spent the day here at school working on completing my Task G.  Through completing this task I ran across a document that really sparked my interest and that being the crosswalk document that is published through the Kentucky Department of Education.  This document was not only beneficial in completing this task but I think will be very beneficial to me while serving on the task force for deconstructing the math standards for the next school year.  I found it very interesting in how it linked the new standards to the old standards but also told on a scale of 1-3 how they thought that the document closely matched the two standards.  I found it very interesting to look at how the language has changed but some of the underlying meaning is still there.  Like I stated I think that this document will be very beneficial in my service on this task force.

1/26/11 10:20

Well sorry that it has been a while but we have been so busy with meetings about the new standards and our scheduling for next year and wouldn‘t you know we have another snow day. .  Our district also didn’t meet AYP in some areas this year so some interventions have been put in place and one of those is monthly meetings with the district staff.  Yesterday morning during a PLC we discussed the needs for some different class offerings.  The state is now requiring end of class exit exams for Algebra II so we are looking at what ways we can intervene before that test occurs.  We are thinking about offering an Algebra IA and IB where IB would provide some introduction into the Algebra II material and jump start the kids.  It looks as if my schedule next year will consist of two collaboration classes of Algebra II and two Algebra IB’s so I am looking forward to the challenges that lay in front of me.

1/21/11  2:00

Well what do you know we have another snow day and we have now been to school a total of 7 days in January.  I had just got the kids back in the grooves of their everyday activities and we get another day off.  I have noticed from this layoff that it is tough to get the students back in their everyday routine.  I have really found motivating the students to be the biggest challenge when returning.  I think that this is especially true with being in the high school as the students want to socialize and there are so many distractions for them.  This is where good classroom management comes into play and I think that my strategies have been really effective in controlling the learning climate in the classroom.

1/19/11   1:15

Today my students are completing their second round of the MAP testing.  This set of test is giving me comparative data to look at how they have improved or not from the first administration of the test.  I am able to see what areas are of weak skill sets and focus on those skills to help strengthen their overall math skills.  I have had the opportunity to compare the first three blocks data and I am very pleased but there are areas that we still need to improve in.  I think this data is going to be very valuable tools for me to know what needs are specific to each individual student and plan accordingly to help improve those skills.  This is the type of data that will be very beneficial in looking at Task A1 and GAP groups within my classes.

1/18/11  3:45

Currently tutoring is going on and I am spending time one on one instructing students from Algebra 1 and Geometry.  I have found that through this GPS (Guided Practice and Strategies) program that it is an effective time to try different teaching strategies to reach all styles of learners. This is the first day back since January 6^th and it was the last day of the first semester as I had two blocks yet to take the final exam.  Also found out that my schedule will be changing for the second semester as I will be trading one of my Algebra 1 classes for a Geometry class because of a teacher leaving us here at Christmas.  I spent some of the day reiterating the classroom procedures to the students as they have a tendency to forget after long breaks.  I am looking through the Geometry Unit Map to begin to plan my lessons and familiarize myself with the text. 

11/14/11    11:00

Well it has been a snow week and we are out Monday for MLK day so this has been a long week in the house and starting to get cabin fever.  I was reading on discipline in the Love and Logic text and examining my discipline skills in the classroom.  I think one of the most important things that have helped me be successful is the fact of not always disciplining as soon as negative behavior occurs.  I have found it very effective to sometimes talk with these students individually following class or at another time to let them know that I was aware of the behavior.  Also you may become aware of extenuating circumstances that could have led to the behave occurring in the classroom.  This individual time may also give that students the opportunity to share their concerns and lets me foster those positive relationships with my students. 

Well it looks as if we will have another whole week off with snow.  We still have one day of finals to complete when we return before we move into the second semester.  With having all of this time I have really became hooked into the Love and Logic text.  I wish that I would have had this text before my first day of school as it is as equally intriguing as Harry Wong.  It has provided me the opportunity to reflect upon my teaching methods and examine myself in the classroom.  One of my targets before school began was to foster positive relationships with my students.  With having this time to sit here I have had the opportunity to look back and these relationships and how much I have learnt about my kids.  What is amazing is that I truly miss spending time with them and getting to know them better and have those positive interactions.  I have had the luxury of developing and fostering so many great relationships with my students and I know that this has helped me to control my classroom as they strive to reach my achievement bar that I have set for them.

11/10/11  10:55

SNOW DAY!!!  Looks like it might be a whole week at home which is not so bad getting to play with my little girl all day.  Spent the morning reading in the Love and Logic text about the different types of teachers in the classroom.  The three mentioned styles within the book are helicopter, drill sergeant, and consultant.    I found it very interesting to look at the different teaching styles and then look at my teaching methods and analyzing them to fit myself into one of these categories.  After analyzing I think that I fit mainly into the consultant category as I strive to give my students self worth and strength through being able to make the choices that will influence their lives.

Journal Entry

1/6/11 4:15

Today I administered the second round of diagnostic assessment for the EKU automaticity program to the classes not taking their final exams.  I completed some statistical data on the time and number of problems missed and seen significant gains in both areas since the first administration of the diagnostic.   This has given me the statistical evidence that I needed to support my everyday bell ringer with each student working at their own pace to master operations for single digits.  I am ecstatic with the results and the method I use to help enhance these skills is being videotaped and displayed to other teachers within the department. 

Journal Entry

1/5/11     3:35

This is final exam week for the first semester since we missed so much snow before Christmas.  With that being said we are in review mode with finals being assessed the next two days.  I have found ways to assess the student’s knowledge retention in many different through the review.  We have done individual activities, class activities, and some cooperative learning to refresh them.   Technology has really enabled me to move back and forth during these activities.  The use of the air slate has been really helpful as I begin to become more experienced with it since just receiving it a couple of weeks ago.  It really enables me to move more about the room and create that room coverage that I desire.