Tuesday, 10/25/11
As the students worked, the teacher called them individually to the back table to conference on their success.
We looked up their grades on mygradebook.com, and looked at their grade journals to reflect on success.
I asked each student, "Do you feel like you could succeed without this course?", "What do you think your parents would say?", and "What do you think your teachers would say?"
Based on each students performance, I gave either gave students a permission form to continue with RISE or I did not. We were able to conference with most of the class; we'll get the rest tomorrow.
Wednesday, 10/26/11
Today we finished the rest of the conferences. Of the 11 students who attended the program, 5 will continue. We will also be allowing more students to join as we progress.
Thursday, 10/27/11
Today was all about ceremony. First, we filled out the grade journals for the last time and turned them in so that I can reflect.
Once those were in, I gave out In 'n' Out gift certificates to those with perfect attendance.
In order to continue the sense of accomplishment, each student leaving the RISE program due to success received a certificate of completion. The class gave them rousing applause and congratulations.
We concluded with a reflective exercise. Each student took out a clean sheet of paper, no names.
They wrote down the answer to the following question: What was the best thing we did in RISE?
When they were done, they closed their eyes, wadded up the paper, and threw it in the air. When they opened up their eyes, each student grabbed one paper ball and took turns sharing what was written with the class. This way they could share their thoughts candidly without being singled out.
We did a second round with this question: What do you wish we had done more of?
I will use this feedback next week as we start the new session of RISE. I concluded the class by telling all of the students, staying or going, how proud of them I am.
My first round of RISE ever was successful and challenging. I learned so much, I'm looking forward to honing the course for the next 6 weeks.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Week 5: Independent Practice
Tuesday, 10/18/11 - Thursday, 10/20/11
Today we are starting independent practice.
Each student came to class prepared to work on the skills that we have practiced. The teach navigated the room, addressing individual concerns for the students as they worked.
If a student had an issue neither they nor the teacher could solve, the student went to one of their other teachers to see what solutions we could find.
This is what we did all week. It is a crucial step, because next week we'll determine who will exit the program and who will stay.
Today we are starting independent practice.
Each student came to class prepared to work on the skills that we have practiced. The teach navigated the room, addressing individual concerns for the students as they worked.
If a student had an issue neither they nor the teacher could solve, the student went to one of their other teachers to see what solutions we could find.
This is what we did all week. It is a crucial step, because next week we'll determine who will exit the program and who will stay.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Week 4: Motivation
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Week 1: Orientation
Tuesday, 9/20/11
Today was the first day of RISE (Responsibility, Independence, and Study Skills in Education). We have 10 students registered; 6 showed up.
We looked at a short PowerPoint introducing the teacher.
We then looked at what will be covered in the 6 week course.
Next, we took out our planners. The students were assigned the task of having each space filled out in their planner for every course.
Finally we began writing My Partner poems. They're just like I Am poems, except you interview your partner and write about him or her.
Wednesday, 9/21/11
Today our number grew to 7. We started by welcoming our new member and filling out a partner poem about him. The students then stood up individually and shared the poems. They are currently on display in the classroom.
Next, we looked at each student's planner, making sure that they are totally filled out. One student forgot to write his math assignment. We used the SMART Board to show him where he can find that information on his teacher's webpage.
After that, we filled out our Personal Grade Journals. This document will be updated once a week during the program to monitor our progress as we go.
For closure, we checked each other's grade journal to make sure they are filled in properly. Tomorrow, netbooks!
Thursday, 9/22/11
Today we used netbooks. Some of the students had used them, but only to take an AR test.
We watched a video called "broken escalator," in which two people are stuck on an escalator and don't know what to do. I asked the students how this might relate to kids in the classroom. They did a beautiful job of saying that this is what students look like when they hit an obstacle and just give up. We agreed that when we get stuck, we'll look for solutions instead of giving up.
We then used the netbooks to log onto mygradebook.com. The students recorded all of their current grades on their personal grade journals. They then reflected on how they feel about their current status. We said goodbye until Tuesday, which will begin with a new set of goals.
Today was the first day of RISE (Responsibility, Independence, and Study Skills in Education). We have 10 students registered; 6 showed up.
We looked at a short PowerPoint introducing the teacher.
We then looked at what will be covered in the 6 week course.
Next, we took out our planners. The students were assigned the task of having each space filled out in their planner for every course.
Finally we began writing My Partner poems. They're just like I Am poems, except you interview your partner and write about him or her.
Wednesday, 9/21/11
Today our number grew to 7. We started by welcoming our new member and filling out a partner poem about him. The students then stood up individually and shared the poems. They are currently on display in the classroom.
Next, we looked at each student's planner, making sure that they are totally filled out. One student forgot to write his math assignment. We used the SMART Board to show him where he can find that information on his teacher's webpage.
After that, we filled out our Personal Grade Journals. This document will be updated once a week during the program to monitor our progress as we go.
For closure, we checked each other's grade journal to make sure they are filled in properly. Tomorrow, netbooks!
Thursday, 9/22/11
Today we used netbooks. Some of the students had used them, but only to take an AR test.
We watched a video called "broken escalator," in which two people are stuck on an escalator and don't know what to do. I asked the students how this might relate to kids in the classroom. They did a beautiful job of saying that this is what students look like when they hit an obstacle and just give up. We agreed that when we get stuck, we'll look for solutions instead of giving up.
We then used the netbooks to log onto mygradebook.com. The students recorded all of their current grades on their personal grade journals. They then reflected on how they feel about their current status. We said goodbye until Tuesday, which will begin with a new set of goals.
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