6 Days with Kiddos

I can hardly believe we only have six days left with students! This year has really flown by and we will be out on May 22. Weird??? Last year's June 13 end date seems like a distant memory (or nightmare?). Anyway, my mind is already spinning with new ideas for next year. I will be implementing more Kagan strategies, as well as Interactive Notebooks in my classroom. Oh yeah, and all new curriculum with Common Core implementation. Now, these are three VERY large changes to my teaching for next year. I am fully aware that I will not pull off all three perfectly. I am trying to be strategic in my implementation--as in read the research and focus on the main area of each that is best for student learning. I will not implement ALL areas of Kagan, Notebooking, or CCSS, but I can implement just a little of each to help my students. And I am pumped!!!

I'll give you a little run down of each area just in case you're curious :)

Kagan Cooperative Learning is a way to structure a classroom in which students work together in teams, usually teams of 4. Kagan learning centers around structures which very precisely guide students through interaction. They become interdependent on one another to be successful. Cooperative learning is very different than group work, which I loathed in school. Group work generally assigns a large project/task to multiple students thinking students will divide the work and conquer the task. More times than not, one or two high achieving students do all the work and one or two slackers get the grade. Sorry, are my feelings beginning to show through? Cooperative structures give each member of the group a specific job and grade individually based upon that job. Also, the structures take place within the classroom. They are usually quick ways to get students thinking and talking to each other about the content that has been presented. It helps eliminate this typical scenario:
teacher: "who knows the answer?"
one or two eager kiddos: "pick me!"
the rest of the class: hiding with their eyes down

For more info on Kagan Cooperative Learning, click here and here.

Next, Interactive Notebooks.  

Interactive notebooks help teach students how to interactive with the content of a class. They are a colorful and personal way to keep everything organized. All notes, assignments, and handouts are kept in one place. Students use colors, graphic organizers, and practice sheets to apply the topics that are covered in class. No more are notes taken and thrown in the black-hole backpack. Hopefully!! I have a lot of fun ideas and pictures stored here.

Common Core is going to require a lot of work but will be so worth it for the kiddos. Standards are going to be consistent and rigorous. Higher level processing and understanding is giong to be require. YAY! For more info on Common Core in Arkansas, send me an email. Seriously. I've been to a lot of training and am on the re-write team for Algebra in my district. Or here's some general info :)

Oh! I almost forgot one more change in my classroom next year. I will have my own set of Beyond Question student responders!!!! YAY!!!!! I applied for and received a grant for a classroom set of these bad boys. The remotes link up to software and allow students to sign in and respond to questions. I can get instant and accurate feedback about what my students know. A graph pops up showing the distribution of answers. Talk about immediate feedback for everyone, myself and students. We can then move on if everyone gets it or talk about content again if many students are still struggling. Also, I could give a quick quiz, and since students are logged in individually results and scores are immediate. Awesome!

Needless to say, I'm pretty pumped about next year in Mrs. Hester's classroom!

But not so excited that I'm wishing summer away, don't worry. I'm going to enjoy every minute of my break with my hubby and new home.

Happy Mother's Day everyone. Mr. H and I are blessed with two exceptional ladies. :)