Journal+Week+7

Well we are still working hard at Eastern Heights. We tried to compile our data through survey monkey and found out that we need to pay to analyze our results. So Heidi took the time to ask the district if we could have the $20 to have survey monkey and we were denied the funding. So not only are we getting a 12% increase in our insurance, via our new contract, we are paying for survey monkey. UGH!

Loved the video this week, especially rigor. That is so important in project based learning. Making sure that the students know the expectation before they start doing it. I do give my students the rubric ahead of time and try real hard to let them and the parents know what is expected. I am able to do many of these projects with advance learners, but I am working hard at getting my other classrooms under control.

I love cooperative learning and I am just finishing a great mythology unit that I wrote a long time ago as a cooperative learning unit. The unit has evolved and I have used technology and the students will be making a podcast the first week of January. We'll see how it goes.

I also use cooperative learning in Literature Circles, it works well as long students come to school and keep up with their reading. I have a lot of books for my good readers. Struggling readers in sixth grade that is a different story. They don't want to read Henry and Mudge or Magic Treehouse. They want to read Buford High books at the 2nd grade level. Ahh! I struggle Happy Holidays!