In my early years of teaching, I didn't always know what to say when students told me they didn't have time to do their homework (other than something like, "You must have had some time between 4:00 and 9:00!). There were all kinds of reasons - they had sports practice or a lesson, or they had to go to their brother's or sister's game/practice/event of some kind; or their parents took them shopping or out to eat. At that time I had one child (who was 2 when I started teaching), so I didn't have the experience from a parent's point of view of making sure I was getting my kids to their activities, getting done all the house-related things, and also making sure they were getting their homework done. This made it a little difficult for me to relate to the students' situations, but I tried to help them think about how much time they did have to do their work. Being involved in activities definitely reduces time for schoolwork, but it doesn't mean t...
I LOVE this book! It was required reading for one of my classes during undergrad. Like you, I am all about teaching those procedures and routines. I also like your hand signals. I think I may incorporate this into my classroom this year. I am thinking I will do one signal for tissue, one signal for bathroom, and one signal for sharpening pencils. Thanks for reminding me how awesome this book is! :)
ReplyDeleteI like how you post your routines each morning. With my 5th graders, I had a fairly consistent schedule, so I used my SMART Board for attendance each morning. They LOVED it! My agenda for the day was posted in the classroom, and they knew to unpack, get notes to me, and start their bell work - usually either a number of the day sheet or quiet reading. That gave me enough time to get announcements and attendance out of the way!
ReplyDelete~Erin
Mrs. Beattie's Classroom
I'm borrowing your asking for help! Great ideas and I need to pick up the book. Thanks for the back to school inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI purchased that book about 8 yrs ago I think. I was taking a grad class and we watched a bunch of Wong's videos. I have to say the book was awesome. I think it's a must read for any new teacher. When new teachers ask me for advice I always point them to that book. That book really made me go beyond efficiency to effectiveness. Glad to see another middle school math blog!
ReplyDeleteWhen I have student teachers, I always make sure they know about this book....I'm so grateful that I found it. I bought the book, Minds-on Math, that you are doing as the book study on your blog. I'm really liking it, but haven't had the chance to read through the book study posts. I hope to get to them soon!
DeleteI re-read it every year too! I learn or re-learn something I forgot every time. Good to know other teachers do the same!
ReplyDeleteI am going to use your lists to double-check my first week of school lists:).
I've been incorporated in Mr. Wong's works since I was in high school. We've been using the hand signals and have been following procedures. I can say it really is very effective and agree that these are very useful in the classroom. I've also implemented the same procedure when I taught high school students. I'm thinking that now I will try and implement it to lower levels and am excited to see how this will turn out. Definitely keeping this in mind for the upcoming school year.
ReplyDelete