Make Discusssions Dynamic

We all want to have interesting discussions in our classes, don't we?  Lots of discussions end up boring.  But how to make them exciting everyday and keep the students' interest high and inviting?  Dr. Richard Curwin presents 5 ways to design discussions that are guaranteed not to make your students fall asleep.  Excellent!  Now share your experiences with your colleagues.  Have you tried these in the past?  Do you have other ideas to share?  Please use the comments section.

5 Ways to Make Class Discussions More Exciting.  Dr. Richard Curwin. 12.10.13.  edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/make-class-discussions-more-exciting-richard-curwin

How Do You Know That?

Students of all ages are expert at reading their teachers faces when they have answered a question.  They know immediately if they are right or wrong.  Well, you can change that with a simple question, "How do you know?"  When students are asked to explain their answers it gives clues as to their level of understanding and also encourages others to enter the conversation when asked by the teacher.  Read this insightful article by a teacher who uses this strategy.  Excellent! 

Road Tested / Making a Habit of "How Do You Know?"  Jennifer Orr.  December 2013. ASCD Education Update
http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/dec13/vol55/num12/Making-a-Habit-of-%C2%A3How-Do-You-Know%C2%A2%C2%A3.aspx

"Exit Tickets" to Assess Skill Mastery

Exit Tickets are an excellent way to see if students learned what was taught during a given class period.  The author suggests writing the exit ticket first so that the teacher teaches what the ticket asks the students to do.  Neat way to assess students as well as your own teaching.

Teaching Secrets:  Start With the Exit Ticket.  Ben Curran.  11.12.13.  Education Week Teacher - Premium Article.
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2013/11/12/ctq_curran.html?tkn=LMCCN8or55X1zMXacdO1yFzj%2BOcQzWgKyNq%2F&cmp=clp-sb-ascd

The Power of Effort to Meet Learning Goals

Kevin Washburn, author of this article, wears a wristband when he runs - "Give the Effort".  He suggests that it is as good mantra for schools and explains several ideas in detail that teachers can use to encourage effort in their students.  A brief headline follows...

• Make stories about struggle and eventual success centerpieces of class discussions.
• Direct attention to effort-result relationships.
• Separate strategy from individual worth.

Excellent article and, if used by teachers, will dramatically affect learning outcomes. Be sure to read the comments after the article....very inspiring.

Inscribed upon my wrist:  Emphasizing effort to empower learning.  Kevin D. Washburn.  11.21.12.  SmartBlog on Education
http://smartblogs.com/education/2012/11/21/inscribed-upon-my-wrist-emphasizing-effort-empower-learning-kevin-washburn/

What 'Old School' Strategies Still Work?

We've all heard the expression, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."  The same principle applies to teaching.  As many new strategies and tools have entered the classroom, we need to figure out what to get rid of in order to make time and space for something new.  This article points out practices we had when we went to school that still work today.  Well worth reading.

Why Kids Should Learn Cursive ( and Math Facts and Word Roots).  Annie Murphy Paul 11.8.12. Time Ideas
http://ideas.time.com/2012/11/08/why-kids-should-learn-cu-cursive/?iid=op-main-lead

Questions for Deeper Learning

Asking questions is part and parcel of being a teacher.  But what kind of questions are the best?  To encourage critical thinking and deeper learning, Rebecca Alber suggests 5 question categories to get your students thinking and learning.  There are more intricate questions that offer the same result but these 5 should get you started.  And don't forget the 'wait/think' time that is needed for students to respond.

5 Powerful Questions Teachers Can Ask Students. Rebecca Alber. 10.31.13. Edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-powerful-questions-teachers-ask-students-rebecca-alber

Feedback is More Than "Good Job"

This excellent article examines the nature of feedback we give our students.    Teachers err when we give praise or advice when feedback is needed.  Read this article to learn the "dos' and don'ts" of giving feedback.  I know I have made mistakes in the past. Perhaps you have too. Cited research in the article tells us that student feedback, properly given, results in improved student achievement. 

Seven Keys to Effective Feedback (ASCD). Grant Wiggens  9.2012 Educational Leadership  http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept12/vol70/num01/Seven-Keys-to-Effective-Feedback.aspx

Share your thoughts below in Comments.  What have you learned?  Will you change your approach?  Why or Why Not?

How Do You Model?

Author Karen Lea, a teacher of teachers, shows us several examples of modeling --teaching students how to learn.  At first, teachers do most of thre work, but students learn by being shown and then by practicing.  Talking "about it" is simply not enough.  Exellent examples.  Check out the embedded links to "Timeline Maker" and "Interactive Timeline."

We'd like to hear some examples of what you have done to model reading and math concepts for your Title I students.  Please share in the Comments sections below.

Modeling: Essential for Learning. Karen Lea. 3.20.13. edutopia.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/modeling-essential-for-learning-karen-lea