1. Do you trust your students? How do you build this trust? Are you able to trust them and allow them to be independent throughout all aspects of your day? Are you going to be able to stay out of their way?
To be honest.. in my 3 years of experience I have given very little trust. It's not that I don't want to, it's just a lot harder than it seems. I guess that's why they call it trust! Of course I have had those students that I could have left in charge and then on the opposite end those sweet little friends you cannot turn your back from.. However, this year I plan on allowing the students to hold themselves more accountable. So that means-- TRUST! Because I cannot just assume they will do everything that I ask.. I am going to use this little checklist. That way they will know what still needs to be finished before the end of the week!
My class will only have time for 3 choices each day.. so I only have 15 pictures on the page. I will add others with more pictures for those of you lucky enough to have more time during reading.
(The adorable clipart is from Melonheadz.)
2. How much choice do you give your students throughout the day? Do you go over your daily schedule with your students or is it just 'posted' in the room?
I have never really offered much "choice" before.. this is really new for me! But very exciting too! I have always had assigned groups that rotate around the room in assigned literacy centers. You could tell by November some of them were very bored with the activities. I would switch them up as much as possible.. but I think it will help allowing them a say in how they learn for each day. I plan to thoroughly introduce each center before implementing, but the idea of choice-- I know will make them more satisfied with their work and success!
3. How are you going to create that sense of community where students will hold each other accountable?
The first few weeks of school are spent discussing rules, procedures, class community, etc... I also always read the book The Crayon Box That Talked. It talks about how each color is unique, but together they can work to make a masterpiece.
I think this year, instead of just having my rules posted.. I want my kids to be a part of coming up with the rules. I have seen other teachers make charts that each child gets to sign. Not only did they help come up with the rules but their class mates witnessed them agreeing to them as well!
4. Student ownership in learning? How do you instill this in every child?
I always hate hearing, "Why do we have to do this?".... This is something I have struggled with in my teaching. Explaining why we are learning something! Or why I am reading this book, writing this sentence, etc... This year in TN our observations changed. Well, one thing I do like about them (maybe the only thing) is the fact that in your lesson you have to state the standard and explain what you are teaching. Of course some standards are hard to understand-- but it is still very important for kids to know why they are doing/learning/experiencing what is required.
5. Stamina! How are you going to build stamina with reading? independent work? Will you use a timer? Will you set goals?
I am not quite sure how to implement this. I think it's incredibly important!! But I think I will need to come up with some kind of system: whether in a binder, on note cards or just a spiral notebook. I want to come up with something to keep track of my kiddos on a daily basis, instead of just during their 9 weeks assessments!
Later this week head on over to Tammy's blog to discuss Chapter 3!
