A teacher and friend of mine, Kristan Macphail, inspired me to differentiate instruction by creating a truly student-centered classroom and utilizing the technology at my school. I decided to put my admiration of her instructional practices into action by combining station teaching and collaborative learning groups with what works for me--interactive student notebooks. The result was A LOT of prep work and a changed mindset. My classroom climate is warm and welcoming and my lessons are FUN and engaging but mostly teacher-directed with little differentiation or technology. I am a perfectionist and I have a tendency to micromanage my students so that their work is a reflection of work I would do if I were them. Although this management style sets the bar high, is structured and holds students accountable, it can also stifle creativity and perpetuate a fixed mindset. I realized I needed a change. After one day of implementation, I can already see that this type of instruction will benefit students immensely and not just academically. I was in awe of my students as they worked collaboratively with each other in their assigned groups, took turns leading the lesson, kept each other on track, and encouraged one another. Students need to learn more than just facts in school. They also need to learn and exhibit those soft skills. Now it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies today. Just like I had to change my mindset, some students are going to have to change theirs. Many kids today are used to passively absorbing information and regurgitating it on a test. They won't ask for help or even try unless the teacher notices them just sitting there. They are used to being told what to do so it's a challenge when they have to figure things out for themselves or work as a team to solve a problem. Some kids found the grouping and stations today to be challenging. Others loved it and stepped up to the challenge. So how exactly does the station thing work in my class? As of now I have 5 stations, each catering to a different learning style. I strategically put students in groups of 5-6 taking into consideration academic ability, personality, gender and how loud students can potentially get. I think I've done a pretty good job balancing out my learning groups. Here is a blog post that articulates the rationale for using learning stations really well and reflects my own reasons for using this teaching strategy. Collaborative Learning Group RolesWhen students come into my classroom, they can sit where they want for the "Smart Start" (warm-up, do now, bell ringer, etc.). After we went over the answer, I briefly went over the collaborative learning group expectations then put students in their groups. The first thing students did was determine their roles within the group. It was a democratic process on their part. I did not assign the roles. The cards below describe the roles and include "sound bites" that prompt students contributions to the group. How do students know what to do in their groups?Mrs. Macphail records herself on iPads giving instructions. I only have six iPads in my classroom so that isn't an option..yet. So I typed up step-by-step instructions that details how to set up their interactive notebook pages, communicates the learning targets, explains what the learning task is and how to complete it. I made example ISN pages for my visual learners. I printed off all of the hand outs (if the station required it) and students have baskets with all needed materials to complete the task funded by my summer Donors Choose project. Everything is at their finger tips so there is no reason to be up and about off task. In addition, only the "Liaison" can communicate with the teacher so that encourages students to figure things out on their own before sending their group liaison to me. The Smart Board StationThis station utilizes the Smart Board. Students are in control of my clicker and Smart Board pens (they LOVE that!) They take turns leading the lesson which goes into detail about the five regions of Georgia. The Computer StationThe computer station is not collaborative. The instructions and learning targets are posted on the wall and the website is pulled up so students are well aware of what to do. They independently explore the Regions of Georgia and Physical Features of Georgia virtual field trip created by Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) Education. The field trips include interactive media, images and video clips. The Tactile/ Kinesthetic StationAt the tactile station, students are using their hands. They are exploring maps, creating foldables, drawing and coloring. The Literacy StationThe focus is reading and writing at this station. This week, students are reading a passage from the textbook "Georgia's Waterways" and writing a RACE paragraph citing examples of how water is important to our state's historical and economic development. The iPad StationHere, students utilize apps on the iPad ranging from a QR scanner that allows students to access links easily and accurately to interactive Google Earth in which students explore geography from different spatial perspectives. Can students actually learn like this?Absolutely! I know it's different from what we did in school but rest assured, students are engaged and learning. I have set up the parameters in which students are in control of their learning but I am mobile, checking for understanding, intercepting misconceptions, prompting discussion and affirming students for their hard work and collaboration.
Today, I did not micromanage. I outlined my expectations. If students do not take ownership of their learning and complete the tasks each day at their station, they are held accountable. Their grades and mastery of the content will reflect their decisions. #growthmindset Station-teaching will take 5 days. At the end of the 5 days, we will debrief and discuss what works well and what we can improve. We will review the learning targets and students will self-assess to see if they have mastered the standards. We will review (study guide, review games) then students will be assessed on the unit. I'm excited! This is going to be great for the students and for myself!
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This year, I decided to teach my rules and procedures through a rewrite of Migos' "T shirt."
*Shout out to 3rd period Georgia studies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lyrics: Hook: Mama told me, when you go to school make sure that you learn and don't be acting a fool Post- Hook: On the path to college with the knowledge I deposit In Mrs. Ellis' class you know you got to use your noggin 8th grade Georgia studies is the content that I'm droppin We bout to learn the rules, and procedures, get it popping Verse 1: Before you come to school, make sure you have your tools Like paper, pencil, homework and some breakfast for your fuel So when you come in, helpers pass out ISNs, then set your notebook up and make it cre-a-tive Gotta do your smart start so that we can jump start our learning for the day, are you with me? OK! Re-view the learning target so that we can stay on target and focus the instruction when we get the lesson started All of your work goes, in your notebook cause it shows how you master the standards and the info that you know Maintain the TOC, color makes me happy if you leave your pages blank, then it looks cra-ppy Only four dots of glue, just four? Yea it's true more than that will mess up all the work that you do Treat your I-S-N, with a-ppre-ci-a-tion and never, ever lose it that's your ob-li-ga-tion Pre- Hook: On the path to college with the knowledge I deposit In Mrs. Ellis' class you know you got to use your noggin 8th grade Georgia studies is the content that I'm droppin’ We bout to learn the rules, and procedures, get it poppin’ Hook: Mama told me, when you go to school make sure that you learn and don't be acting a fool Post- Hook: Mama told youuuuuuuuuuuuuu Mama told me, when you go to school Mama told youuuuuuuuuuuuuu Make sure that you learn and don't be acting a fool Verse 2: 8:55, don't even try you are late for class and you know you need a pass Please be on time, learning is prime Absences and tardies hurt our CCRPI When I greet the class, greet me right back with enthusiasm yea please don't slack "Class, Class?" "Yes, Yes!" is the way I address my students when they're loud and when the noise should be less I give out lots of stickers, for participation in class discussion and sharing information Accountable talk in group conversation I monitor learning through teacher observation Lots of ways to learn in my class we do fun things rap, tech., ISNs, stations, simulations Follow the 3 Rs to avoid administration This class will be a blast you can pass with dedication Pre- Hook: On the path to college with the knowledge I deposit In Mrs. Ellis' class you know you got to use your noggin 8th grade Georgia studies is the content that I'm droppin’ We bout to learn the rules, and procedures, get it poppin’ Hook: Mama told me, when you go to school make sure that you learn and don't be acting a fool Post- Hook: Mama told youuuuuuuuuuuuuu Mama told me, when you go to school Mama told youuuuuuuuuuuuuu Make sure that you learn and don't be acting a fool |
AuthorVanessa Ellis has been teaching middle grade social studies for 7 years. She is the 2017 Georgia Economics Teacher of the Year, a 2018 Harvard Fellow and a teacher leader in Muscogee County. She loves to teach and have FUN while doing it! Who says social studies has to be boring? ArchivesCategories |