Made 4 Math: INB Carts and Syllabus

I'm going INB crazy in all four of my preps this year! So to stay organized and keep things running smoothly, I've set up my groups of four desks with their own INB cart.

I printed out labels for each drawer and each cart has a tape dispenser and a baby trash can on top. The cart has calculators, dry erase markers, erasers, and white boards, scissors, colored paper, glue sticks, tape, glue sponge, post-it flags, highlighters, markers, colored pencils, rulers, measuring tapes, compass, protractors, notebook paper, index cards, baby staplers, and geomirrors. In that order.

Next is my syllabus and INB information sheet that I heavily borrowed from Sarah Rubin's post. This will be printed front to back and folded with the INB part facing out so students can tape it in their INB. Then on the RHP, they will reflect on it using Sarah's 'high-five' idea. I should probably mention that I am attempting a "Left Hand Learning" and "Right Hand Reflecting" format.

Here are the pictures so you can see my pretty fonts:

And here is the file so you can edit it yourself. I used a ton of fonts that I'm not going to list here. When you click in the text box, the name of the font shows up. Then google it and download it. Takes like 45 seconds. Or just change them to your favorite fonts. I hate even posting the file because it looks so jankety. Just go back and look at my pretty pictures. =)

And these are my baskets for finished quizzes and tests. I love this because I have so many who don't finish and I get random piles over my desk. Bazinga!

And the file.

Bell Ringers Remix

I'm modifying my bell ringer routine again this year. Surprise, surprise.

I am keeping mental math Monday because I loved it and it's already set up.

The rest I'm kind of copying of my friend Lisa's post and my friend Brooke's ideas smashed together with mine.

Here's the plan:

• Monday- Mental Math Monday improves listening skills, memory, and number sense
• Tuesday- Talking Points because students practicing listening to each other will seep into every lesson, every day. It can be used as a tool to develop their growth mindset and, bring out and clarify misconceptions.
• Wednesday- Estimation low entry point, builds number sense & measurement
• Thursday- Visual Patterns develop algebraic reasoning skills, applies to visual learners
• Friday- My Favorite No error analysis, clarify misconceptions, share student work

I'm a little scared to do visual patterns but then again they don't have to know where I get the patterns from. So I have freedom to deviate if I don't know the answer either. =)

Here's the template:



I made it a pdf so it would be pretty with my fun fonts but it still isn't as pretty as the real thing. So just go ahead and download or get the Word file here.

And then students have the option for Friday letters!

Comments?

Classroom Interventions

"The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it."

Last year, I let some students escape me. This year, I'd like to go in with some sort of problem solving plan. I'm trying to work out my own 'red flags' and a response for each one.

I'd like to share a few ideas from some pamphlets I read a while ago.

Until a problem is defined, a student may not know what it is. This highlights my need for a list of red flags that can be easily observed. I'm also wanting to do a monthly check up where students assess themselves, then I assess them on the same criteria, and they can compare the results to identify any problems.

If they do identify a problem, pose the questions: "How do you want this to turn out? How do you want to see your problem resolved?" Have the student identify and actually write down the cause(s) of the problem. The student may even have to go back, review, and add to the list.

List all of the possible solutions before deciding what action to take, together. Identify specific actions.

Monitor the student closely. Do not wait for the next test to show positive results before you give feedback.



Red Flags

• Two or more times not participating in class
• Two or more times sleeping in class in a two week span.
• Two or more failing grades in a two week span.
• Two or more absences in a two week span.
• Two or more times to see the nurse/bathroom in two week span.
• Abnormal changes in behavior in a two week span.
• Two or more confrontations with teacher and/or other student in a two week span. 

 
 Now what are some ways I could address these behaviors in the classroom?


Related Resources: Answer Getting, Analyzing Student Mistakes, Mastery Quizzes

Start, Continue, Stop

Start

• Teaching trig :(
• Interactive notebooksssssss! And along with that goes interactive teaching!
• Increasing student engagement: WICOR, gallery walks, movement, sorting, matching, stations games, etc.
• Positive postcards (create a template and a system!)
• Using my iPad as a teaching tool (touchpad, splashtop pro, remote mouse, class dojo?, plickers, pictures/video)
• Cover slips- as a back up 'paper' gradebook
• Test Corrections...ish
• Class website so I can share interactive notebook activities with bloggers and students
• Exit Slips....frequently but not daily
• Monthly 'Check Ups'
• New bell ringer plan
• Friday letters!

Continue

• Students desks arranged in groups
• Using my timer
• Mental Math Monday
• Semester Reflections

Stop

• Worrying. I am going to do the best I know how to with what I have and worrying won't help.

Made 4 Math: Friday Letters and Station Clipboards

Thanks to @RebeckaMozdeh for her idea of Friday letters: students have the option to write her a letter on Fridays instead of doing the bell ringer.

I just happened to have my old mailbox and some shiny spray paint. And a little chevron never hurt anybody. 

 Cute, right? I know.

Next up, for station work, gluing a clipboard to a bookend means you can easily change out directions!

Bought book ends at yard sales, clip boards at Dollar Tree, had my own teal spray paint (obvi), and a little more green chevron never hurt anybody.

I also covered the clipboard with mod podge in hopes that students won't peel my tape off.