Tuesday, 10/11/11
As usual, we started the week right with a binder check. The students had a particularly messy 4 days since last we met, so I went through each binder one-by-one with them. We got them ready for the day!
This week we're talking about why students should try, focusing on their own personal goals. We devised action plans, which help them to systematically work toward a predetermined goal.
Most of the time we looked at putting their plan into 5 steps. We shared our goals, talking about anything you want being valid. Once the 5 steps were laid out, we agreed to continue these action plans on the following day.
Wednesday, 10/12/11
After binder check we continued our action plans. We came up with a timeline for each plan, as well as who would be responsible for each step. Most of the students wanted to write "me" for the responsible person, but we agreed that no one can do anything alone. We also listed resources and barriers for each step.
While they were working, I had each student write his/her biggest academic success for the week on a note card. These will come in handy tomorrow for RISE Bingo.
Thursday, 10/13/11
It's Thursday, so we went straight from binder check into grade journals. We saw major improvement in some of the students' grades and we celebrated that.
Keeping in the spirit of celebrating success, we played RISE Bingo. I made a chart, and in each square I wrote one of the successes I was given on the note cards yesterday. Each student got a chart, then went around the room finding the student that went with each success.
After 10 minutes, I read each success and we figured out who the person was. After each success, the students gave each other a round of applause.
The applause continued when we looked at attendance for the week. Every student who had perfect attendance for the week got a gift certificate for one hamburger/cheeseburger from In 'n' Out. They were extremely excited about this.
Next week, we begin practicing what I've been preaching.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Week 3: Study Skills
Tuesday, 10/4/11
Today we learned how to take Cornell notes. Most of the students had taken notes in this style, which is wonderful. Cornell is the note-taking format preferred by most major universities and law schools. RISE students are already college bound!
We took Cornell notes on developing smart study skills. This took the majority of the class, and we concluded by writing a 3-4 sentence summary of the notes.
Wednesday, 10/5/11
Today was all about critical reading. Students know how to read by 6th grade, but they don't know how the think while they read. That's why you get the kid who read 3 chapters, then responds to questions about said chapters with a timid, "I don't know."
We read an article entitled, "Clean Hair or Clean Air?" We marked up the article in two rounds.
1. We numbered the paragraphs, so that we can refer back to the later in writing or discussion.
2. We read through thoroughly, circling any key terms or new vocabulary we encountered.
Once the students did that individually and silently, we came together as a class. Each student walked up to the example of the article on the SMART Board and circled one term they had found.
We'll continue with critical reading tomorrow.
Thursday, 10/6/11
We ended our week by continuing critical reading.
After filling out grade journals and checking binders, we returned to yesterday's article. We had already numbered paragraphs and circled key terms.
To review we looked for the author's main purpose for writing this article. Based on the terms students agreed upon, we concluded that his point it "Palm oil is bad for the environment." I wrote that on the board.
For the next two rounds we:
3. Highlighted evidence that supports this claim.
4. Wrote one summary for every two paragraphs in the left margin. Since there are 12 paragraphs, each student did 6 summaries.
Next week we'll work with motivation.
Today we learned how to take Cornell notes. Most of the students had taken notes in this style, which is wonderful. Cornell is the note-taking format preferred by most major universities and law schools. RISE students are already college bound!
We took Cornell notes on developing smart study skills. This took the majority of the class, and we concluded by writing a 3-4 sentence summary of the notes.
Wednesday, 10/5/11
Today was all about critical reading. Students know how to read by 6th grade, but they don't know how the think while they read. That's why you get the kid who read 3 chapters, then responds to questions about said chapters with a timid, "I don't know."
We read an article entitled, "Clean Hair or Clean Air?" We marked up the article in two rounds.
1. We numbered the paragraphs, so that we can refer back to the later in writing or discussion.
2. We read through thoroughly, circling any key terms or new vocabulary we encountered.
Once the students did that individually and silently, we came together as a class. Each student walked up to the example of the article on the SMART Board and circled one term they had found.
We'll continue with critical reading tomorrow.
Thursday, 10/6/11
We ended our week by continuing critical reading.
After filling out grade journals and checking binders, we returned to yesterday's article. We had already numbered paragraphs and circled key terms.
To review we looked for the author's main purpose for writing this article. Based on the terms students agreed upon, we concluded that his point it "Palm oil is bad for the environment." I wrote that on the board.
For the next two rounds we:
3. Highlighted evidence that supports this claim.
4. Wrote one summary for every two paragraphs in the left margin. Since there are 12 paragraphs, each student did 6 summaries.
Next week we'll work with motivation.
Week 2: Organization
Tuesday, 9/27/11
Today we went through each students classes and looked at necessary materials.
Using the school website and the SMART Board, we compiled one encompassing list including every item every student needs every day. These items are:
Wednesday, 9/28/11
Today we had our second binder check. We agreed that this would be how each class will start, so that the students are ready for the day.
After that we used the netbooks. The students went through their teachers' websites to see how much of tonight's homework they could have in their planners before they even saw their teachers. We looked at the different ways teachers format their homework assignments and where to look if we can't find them.
We discussed the alternatives if the homework isn't on the webpage. Some ideas students had were:
1. Phone a classmate
2. Email the teacher
3. Ask for help from someone at home in navigating the teacher's webpage.
Thursday, 9/29/11
Since we had several new members join us, today was a team building day. In order for students to work on their challenges, they must know and trust each other.
As I played music, the students walked around the room. When the music stopped, I shouted out a number. The students got into groups of that number. I would then ask a question, and they answered it to each other. They concluded each round with some kind of affirming gesture. There were 5 rounds. They were:
1. What was your biggest success in school this week? (high five)
2. What is one challenge you'd like to focus on in school? (fist bump)
3. What is one thing you're looking forward to this weekend? (pat on the back)
4. Why are you in RISE? (hand shake and say, "Good work.")
5. Who is responsible for your success? (applause)
We concluded by reminding students that they need to come in ready to share one success when we reconvene on Tuesday.
Today we went through each students classes and looked at necessary materials.
Using the school website and the SMART Board, we compiled one encompassing list including every item every student needs every day. These items are:
1. Binder
2. 2 pencils
3. Paper
4. Planner
5. Notebooks
6. Erasers
7. Pens
8. Highlighters
9. Tabs
10. Hall pass
11. Backpack
12. Colored pencils/Markers
13. Homework
14. Grade journal
As partners, we looked through each other's binders to make sure we were all prepared. After a lot of recycling, hole-punching, and refiling, each student wrote in his/her planner what that student needed to bring in to have a complete set of materials. Great start to getting organized.Wednesday, 9/28/11
Today we had our second binder check. We agreed that this would be how each class will start, so that the students are ready for the day.
After that we used the netbooks. The students went through their teachers' websites to see how much of tonight's homework they could have in their planners before they even saw their teachers. We looked at the different ways teachers format their homework assignments and where to look if we can't find them.
We discussed the alternatives if the homework isn't on the webpage. Some ideas students had were:
1. Phone a classmate
2. Email the teacher
3. Ask for help from someone at home in navigating the teacher's webpage.
Thursday, 9/29/11
Since we had several new members join us, today was a team building day. In order for students to work on their challenges, they must know and trust each other.
As I played music, the students walked around the room. When the music stopped, I shouted out a number. The students got into groups of that number. I would then ask a question, and they answered it to each other. They concluded each round with some kind of affirming gesture. There were 5 rounds. They were:
1. What was your biggest success in school this week? (high five)
2. What is one challenge you'd like to focus on in school? (fist bump)
3. What is one thing you're looking forward to this weekend? (pat on the back)
4. Why are you in RISE? (hand shake and say, "Good work.")
5. Who is responsible for your success? (applause)
We concluded by reminding students that they need to come in ready to share one success when we reconvene on Tuesday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)