goal setting in the classroom...

Day 31 Prompt: What will you do to energize yourself for 2013?

Perspective.
For 2013 I commit to consider my circumstances through the filter of serving students.
Trials and frustrations will arise.
Instead of being drawn to the negative, I vow to find a positive spin by fixing my eyes solely on the needs of our students.
If students are my primary focus, I can't go wrong...no distraction will steal my energy when I am serving students.

Let's hold each other accountable for keeping the main thing the main thing!

This post is part of the BlogHer #NaBloPoMo challenge.

Happy Friday Eve to YOU!
Make it count!

teaching perseverance via math...

Day 30 Prompt: Benjamin Franklin said, "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Do you agree or disagree?

 

Agree.

Persistence conquers all things.

And continued persistence requires energy.

 

In my algebra classroom, I strive to inspire persistence. I answer questions with questions. I provide reference points and resources rather than direct answers. I pose thought-provoking questions that add depth to the concept of focus. And I have no problem saying, "Well...let's see what new thoughts you have tomorrow that could inspire progress."

 

This mindset for any teacher requires energy. Much energy! An abundance of energy beyond the typical daily dosage. Why?!? Because it would be SO much easier to just provide students with a direct answer. For both of us! However, easy doesn't produce endurance...endurance stems from perseverance. And I want my students to be set for the long haul in future math endeavors.

 

Don't sell your students short. They are capable of thinking deeply and making connections. Always remember...the one thinking is the one learning! How do you integrate perseverance in your math classroom? Please share your tips by leaving a comment below...

This post is part of the BlogHer #NaBloPoMo challenge.

Happy Wednesday to YOU...make it count!

the iterations of teaching math...



Day 29 Prompt: What reoccurring thought uses up a lot of your mental energy?

 

Step 1.

Do my students have the necessary prior knowledge for this lesson?

Step 2.

Do my students already understand the new content outlined in this lesson? If so, how will I enrich these students while teaching the new content to the rest of the students?

Step 3.

How do I present new content in a way that is comprehensible by all students regardless of their prior knowledge? (i.e. How do I bridge the gaps while teaching new content?)

Step 4.

How do I know my students get it?

Step 5.

How will I enrich those who now understand the new content while actively remediating the students who don't get it?

Step 6.

Now...how do I know my students get it? And what will I do if they still don't get it?

Repeat Steps 1-6 for the next concept.

 

And this reiterative cycle occurs multiple times within one lesson. Yep. That's a reoccuring thought running through the mind of every teacher. It certainly uses up a lot of my mental energy. How about you?!?

This post is part of the BlogHer #NaBloPoMo challenge.

Happy Tuesday to YOU...make it count!

overcoming math anxiety...

Day 28 Prompt: What emotion do you think is the biggest waste of energy and why?

 

Emotion?

Worry.

Waste of energy?

Definitely.

 

I believe anxiety can be a huge waste of energy because if unchecked it can spin out of control quickly and cause unnecessary obstacles. My classroom has been occupied by students with math anxiety or general anxiety. I have found structure, routine, and confidence building opportunities are the best remedy for anxiety. Success breeds success. And when success becomes the norm...anxiety decreases and/or coping mechanisms keep the anxiety in check. Either way the student finds success.

I could speak to anxiety at great length. Perhaps I should write a series of posts on the topic. Any interest? General interest? Math interest? Let me know...I could share specific examples and modifications that made a positive impact.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. 

Matthew 6.34

This post is part of the BlogHer #NaBloPoMo challenge.

Hope your week is off to a great start...make it count!

my latest pinspiration...

Confession:
I could spend hours browsing on Pinterest.
And my latest pinspiration has been working wonders in my classroom!

I spied some excellent examples of "_____ of the Day" for elementary classrooms. So I decided to make a few changes for my middle school math classroom and voila! This is the newest piece of my MATHercise routine for Algebra 1.

Hope your week is amazing...make it count!

top of my checklist...

Happy Saturday to YOU!

What's on your "to do" list today?

• finalize answer keys
• create assessment documents
• organize online calendar
• type review activity
• complete unit graphic organizer
• update online gradebook

And the list continues...and I haven't even shared items other than school goodness. A sweet colleague once shared that teachers are only caught up on the last day of school...all other days provide an opportunity for more to be accomplished. Absolute truth has never been more clear!

And just in case you're wondering...I'm still hoping for a snow day. Put that at the top of my checklist! A surprise vacation day would certainly allow me to check several items off my list...hopefully before I created more items to add to said list. Haha!

Enjoy your weekend...make it count!

running the race...

Day 25 Prompt: How long do you think you could last in a power outage?

How long could I last in a power outage?

Honestly?!?

Not long.

I'm a total girly girl with that sort of thing.

Embassy Suites is my kind of camping! :)

 

But seriously.

What does it really take to withstand a trial?

To overcome a battle?

To experience the sweet taste of victory?

 

PERSEVERANCE

and

ENDURANCE.



 

Math is a fairly unpopular subject.
It gets a bad rap...from current students and former students (aka parents).

But I am in absolute awe of the subject!
And even more importantly...I am passionate about sharing my feelings with others.

I strive to encourage perseverance.

It comes in small packages.

Disguised in colorful gift wrap.

And it unfolds the spark of desire...for math!

I'm intentional about providing opportunities for perseverance because perseverance leads to endurance. And any student (lover of math or not) is going to need an extra helping of endurance when it comes to making mathematical connnections.

This post is part of the BlogHer #NaBloPoMo challenge.

Happy Friday to YOU...make it count!