Here is my prototype. I have struggled to decide on the "one" to do it over because there were SO many ideas for classroom management to choose from. Several I have tried or I felt were age appropriate for my junior high students. I finally settled on something I recently started doing, student choice assignments. This has several names and ideas all over Pinterest, where I first encountered this idea. I was hindered by the amount of time I felt it would take to do but now that I am less than 1 month away from ending my first year, I have lots of opportunity for review and allow students to make that choice. I have found it easiest to implement by writing up 2 choices of book work they can do. I always start with a "Do" assignment. This assignment they are required to do first, then they have the opportunity to choose which assignment they may do next. We are having our State testing in 3 weeks, so this has become a great way for the students to choose which units or chapter they need to spend more time on.
Hi Amber,
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of letting the students choose their own assignments . This decision and commitment hopefully make them more responsible. This strategy will help students become the owner of their own education. The question is how to make sure they are working to their full potential?
Great prototype, great idea.
Hi Amber! I understand being at the end of your school year and it being harder to implement! I am at the same point. Once state testing is over, I think I will feel much more able to experiment and explore! I like your idea about a book assignment for early finishers. Although I am elementary and not junior high, I have an idea you might could implement next year. I used to have a file folder collection for early finishers. It would include dry erase problems that students could try. They would bring it to me to look over. If it was correct they would go grab the next file folder that had more of a challenge problem. I also always had a word problem of the week in a manila envelope. Students could complete it if they were done early. At the end of the week, I would draw from all the correctly submitted answers for a prize.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I have been thinking about ways on how to incorporate more word problems. This would be an easy way to get started.
DeleteHi Amber! Love your project idea. Just thinking, you mention the extra work for the teacher to grade the varied assignments. Depending on the assignment, could the students grade their own (have a key for them to use) or teacher or students use one of the apps (http://appcrawlr.com/ios-apps/best-apps-grading-papers) that will grade the assignment? Looking forward to your final project. Jen
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I think this is a great idea. I'm not sure the group I have currently are mature enough to be given an answer key. I have had a hard time this year with cheating. Hopefully in the future this would be something I could take advantage of.
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