Where did September go?
I have been so busy it's already a new month. In my masters class I wrote my first mini-paper on my research proposal. I believe I have narrowed it down to "How does choice of work space effect student behaviour". I'm going to look at where the students choose to sit and with whom. I want to see if they form any patterns and whether they choose to sit alone to work or not. I'm going to also check to see if they are on-task or not. I have to clarify the behaviour I'm looking for.
So far I've noticed some interesting things. Students have kind of found "their" table. Some students drift but not many. I have 2 dominant male tables, 1 female table and a mixed table. Kids have enjoyed getting to choose where they work, and also like to go outdoors to read and sometimes write.
I've noticed a few behaviours I need to jump on. I have five boys who like to call out and talk over others. I'm going to start clamping down on that lickety split! They have no malicious intent..but it seems they are very impulsive and can't keep their thoughts inside!
On the Montessori side, I've got my work times up and running. Students have to complete 3 math cards, 1 spelling booklet, 1 grammar box and 1 reading bookbag (which has a book and 2 response cards) a week. Then if they finish their "main" work they can do a variety of choices: Writer's Workshop, Art Cards, Timeline work, Read a book, use math flashcards, Dubio, 99, Countdown (all math review games), and the bi and trinomial cubes (which are HUGE HITS). I have on average 1-2 kids a day who come up and tell me they are bored....I just redirect them to the choices. I try to introduce something new to choose daily to add to the interest. So I've introduced Levels 2,3 and 4 of the Art Cards this week. I've had two students really take to the timeline of life and have been creating their own booklets of different animals throughout time. Fun! I will soon add the maps, more grammar boxes and some Cultural trivia games. My goal is to have them choose items that are reinforcing or exciting their learning. Maybe there are too many choices??? I shall monitor that.
On to October!
I have been so busy it's already a new month. In my masters class I wrote my first mini-paper on my research proposal. I believe I have narrowed it down to "How does choice of work space effect student behaviour". I'm going to look at where the students choose to sit and with whom. I want to see if they form any patterns and whether they choose to sit alone to work or not. I'm going to also check to see if they are on-task or not. I have to clarify the behaviour I'm looking for.
So far I've noticed some interesting things. Students have kind of found "their" table. Some students drift but not many. I have 2 dominant male tables, 1 female table and a mixed table. Kids have enjoyed getting to choose where they work, and also like to go outdoors to read and sometimes write.
I've noticed a few behaviours I need to jump on. I have five boys who like to call out and talk over others. I'm going to start clamping down on that lickety split! They have no malicious intent..but it seems they are very impulsive and can't keep their thoughts inside!
On the Montessori side, I've got my work times up and running. Students have to complete 3 math cards, 1 spelling booklet, 1 grammar box and 1 reading bookbag (which has a book and 2 response cards) a week. Then if they finish their "main" work they can do a variety of choices: Writer's Workshop, Art Cards, Timeline work, Read a book, use math flashcards, Dubio, 99, Countdown (all math review games), and the bi and trinomial cubes (which are HUGE HITS). I have on average 1-2 kids a day who come up and tell me they are bored....I just redirect them to the choices. I try to introduce something new to choose daily to add to the interest. So I've introduced Levels 2,3 and 4 of the Art Cards this week. I've had two students really take to the timeline of life and have been creating their own booklets of different animals throughout time. Fun! I will soon add the maps, more grammar boxes and some Cultural trivia games. My goal is to have them choose items that are reinforcing or exciting their learning. Maybe there are too many choices??? I shall monitor that.
On to October!
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