Sunday, November 1, 2009
A Student's Journal Entry Using "Voki"
Have students type or say their journal reflection using Voki.
This is an alternative way to have your student's work published on the web. It is private and also a lot of fun to create your own character!
This is an alternative way to have your student's work published on the web. It is private and also a lot of fun to create your own character!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wordle
Math CoachTry using Wordle in your mathematic's classroom. How could you use Wordle for your math journals?
How Many Ways Can You Make 20?Express it in Wordle.
My First Few Months as a Math Coach
It has been a rewarding few months, in my new position as K-4 Math Coach.
I wanted to share with you what I've been doing. There are a few components to my coaching model.
The majority of my time is spent in the classroom with teachers for a 2 week block of time. What that means is, I work with 2-4 teachers at one school (or close proximity) for two weeks. We begin our block together with some planning time. I have spent 1 hour-3 hours with each teacher to set goals for the time we will spend together.This day of planning is at the beginning of the "block". Once our goals are set, I begin by modeling lessons using the outcomes that the classroom teacher has requested. The lessons have embedded assessment and various strategies are modeled.Some teachers want to see"Before-During-After" lessons while others want "PODS" modeled.Each lesson begins with a pre-conference and ends with a post -conference. Often we need to be creative in finding the time for this important conference time. I integrate technology as often as I can. This may include the use of the SMART board, computers, flip video, or digital camera for establishing word wall vocabulary.
After a few days of modeled lessons, it turns into co-teaching and then observational feedback.
I feel that having a "block" of consecutive days with a teacher it is more beneficial that sporadic days here and there.
Another major component to my coaching model is ongoing professional development. Every Wednesday, I lead a Workshop Wednesday. It takes place after school from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
We have a very large school division, so I facilitate the same workshop topic in each of the five quadrents, to minimize teacher travel and to make as easy as possible for teachers to attend.
To this date, I have had two topics: Getting Organized in the Mathematics Classroom (this included planning using the backwards approach) and Planning a Math Parent Night.
Topics come from teacher surveys. I have had a majority of teachers wanting the topic of Assessment. From this interest, I research and try to create a valuable workshop for the teachers.
A few other components to my coaching model are monthly newletters,staff meeting presentations, this blog, lots of mail correspondence, and collecting and sending resources out to teachers.
I have started a library of children's literature that pertain to mathematics, as well, purchasing a large variety of math manipulatives and teacher resources.
I have been documenting my journey by using a teacher self reflection, personal reflection notes and I am trying to gather student data. It is difficult to assess my two week block, so this is something that I will ponder and make changes to during the year. It is my first year as math coach and I do not have another math coach to work with. I do hope that I can connect with other coaches around the province, country or even from other countries.
If you are a K-4 math coach and would like to share ideas of success and road blocks, please contact me:
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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