Reflection Journals and Data Folders

Blogging has always been my way to reflect on what was working in my classroom and the lessons that I've been learning as a teacher. When I started blogging 13ish years ago it was a very stressful year and I needed to remember at least one good thing per day. I would share it and then the internet could help me celebrate. :) This website has also been a record for myself, that I can look back to see how I've grown as a teacher.

I do a lot of reflection with my students too, and that's something I've brought with me whatever age that I'm teaching. When I bumped up to 8th I brought the same routines with me that I know worked.

Reflection Journals:

The first week of school I pass out little notebooks to my students and they add their name to the front. We brainstorm the type of person we want to be during the year. Then we use them every Friday for reflections and some other things as well. I tell them that they are creating a timeline of their 8th grade year. 

Every Friday it's my bellringer for History class (the 2nd time I see them during the day). They date the entry and do a quick 3, 2, 1, <3

3 things they learned that week in any subject

2 things they are proud of

1 goal for next week

They can do an emotion check as well. <3 

It is quick, they grab their notebook from their class' basket and when done they put it back. Some volunteers always want to share.

Our middle school does weekly grade checks during homeroom, so we don't do many grades in there, but for progress reports and report cards we do reflect in our notebooks as well. What is an area they are proud of, and what's an area that they want to grow.

Each trimester we do a much deeper dive into creating goals and that also goes into the notebooks - looking at each subject's skills closely. All in all, I'm still thankful I could bring that up to 8th grade.

What exact notebooks do I use? I like the multi colors so it's easier for kids to find their exact one. Not a huge amount of pages, but we use most of them throughout the year. My dad has been donating them to my classroom. Thanks Dad!

Other reflections that we do are using Data Folders.

I shared about them years ago... but here's the middle school version. I just have them bar graph their learning after pre and post tests, or quizzes by subject. So one square will be history quizzes, another square for ELA quizzes, and another for vocabulary. I want to make sure they are actually looking at their Aeries grades, so approx. every 3 weeks we are spending time pulling out the data folders and opening up Aeries to actually look at their grades. It's usually a whole class end of class task. We spend other times doing error analysis for specifics as to why, etc, but these data folders are for an overview.

The other part is reflecting on the parts of the ELA units and giving themselves a 4,3,2,1. For example our first unit is mainly parts of plot, writing plot summaries, and learning about types of conflict - each skill gets it's own line. They rate themselves to see how they are understanding it. I like them to also see how much they have grown.

4 - I understand it so much that I can teach it to someone else

3 - I got it but can't teach someone else

2 - I almost got it but am still sometimes confused

1 - I am still so lost

Glancing at their 4,3,2,1's I can see what areas they need to build their confidence and skills. It's a reference for them and me when we are doing review. 

Every kid has a file folder with both of these print outs stapled inside and then we add more copies as the year progresses. 

Hope this helps!

Best Teacher Ever

A little about me...

I’m a wife, mom, daughter, sister, and aunt. This is my 21st year in the classroom as a teacher, but I basically grew up in one as a daughter to a teacher.

I think my mom was the one that inspired me to be a teacher. She was the best teacher ever. Mom taught Kinder through 2nd grade, and after 36 years she retired. 

She grew up in Michigan, and after sliding her car into 2 snow drifts that first year of teaching, she went home and told my grandparents she was moving to California. And she did. And they followed her out here. :)

Growing up we always had the big family trip to help Mom set up her classroom. It was in a different town, kind of a commute, so the family loaded up the belongings and would spend a day at the end of the summer working together, helping mom. My sister and I would move the desks and take things out of cabinets. Dad would move the big furniture and help with bulletin boards, and Mom would do everything else. Dad would always go pick up Togo’s sandwiches from down the street, and we’d have a picnic in the classroom. When we had helped, we got to play with the toys that were tucked away or out on the playground, right outside her door.

Back then, when we had a day off of school, Mom would bring us to help her in her classroom. I got to be her TA, mostly at home, but also sometimes in her classroom. She would make the magic come alive for her little kids. 

Oh, and the piles of papers... all those little readers we would fold and staple for her, the pages to rip out from the workbooks... There was always something to help with. I loved it. Every year Dad and Mom would sit down together to make the personalized name tags for her school kids.  Dad would design it and then hand draw them over and over, Mom would write their names with her perfect handwriting. But that’s just what my family did. Family helped each other. Good memories. 

When I got my first classroom, Mom made sure to come and help me too. I don't know if she ever understood why I gravitated to upper elementary. Her heart was for the little ones. But she still blessed me by coming to help. Both my parents did. I didn't have to be alone and be overwhelmed. She would help me find the next step.

Mom taught me a lot about teaching. How a career can be more than a job, it’s a passion. It’s a gift and to view it as a gift. How to be organized, how to be find your own nitch, how to be yourself. To love each kid, especially on their worst day.  To see them as Jesus does. To be His hands and feet.  To pray for them and their families. She taught me a lot about a lot of stuff. I miss her. 

I wonder what she would think about this year. It’s been kind of crazy. It’s been 3 1/2 years but I can still remember one of our last deep conversations. She told me she was proud of me. Today, I want to pass on Mom’s message to you too. 

“I’m proud of you, for what you have done and what you are going to do. For who you have become. You go out there and make a difference.”

I wish you could have all met her. She was the best. 

Love you Mom. 

Week 1 Hybrid Concurrent - What I’ve Learned

I’ve learned that I’m easily exhausted.

I’ve learned that I feel safe in the classroom with the kids. 

I’ve learned that we are easily adaptable. 

I've learned that it's easy to put your guard down.

I’ve learned that the routines we’ve made all year with using TEAMs have transferred to this new way. We are still doing breakout groups, the online kids log into our meeting for breakout groups. They wear their headphones to hear the classmates and then whisper into their microphones. They log into TEAMs to do online paperwork. 

I’ve learned that it gets hot teaching in a mask. My mini fan is coming in handy. I’ve learned that straw water bottles are the best thing since sliced bread. It’s wonderful to drink without taking off my mask. I've learned that the blue paper masks make my nose itch, but I really like the yellow ones.

I’ve learned there is so much joy that has come back with having kids in the classroom. Even with the reminders to give space. 

I’ve learned that the quiet kids online are not necessarily quiet in the classroom. That they have come out of their shell and it’s so neat to see their personalities. I’ve learned I made some assumptions that aren’t true. I’ve also learned that some assumptions are true... 

I’ve learned that the relationships we’ve built all year are so important right now. The kids coming to school feel safe and are happy. The distance learning kids know they can count on me. I’ve learned to ask feedback questions in their group channels, and remembered to send out individual notes in their private channels. It makes my heart happy to see their responses. We’ve made their days. 

I’m learning how to give the in class vs at home different tasks to accomplish the same purpose. In class have become my worker bees- the leaders in breakout groups to record answers, make posters, and my volunteers in front of the webcam. Its really nice to not have to direct teach every moment of the morning. 

I’ve learned the technology this week so that we can hear and see all the kids at the same time. I’ve learned the beauty of the webcam microphone that allows at home to hear all the kids in the classroom. I’m not stuck in front of my computer all morning. I’ve learned to check the volume on the projector when the webcam is on. I won’t soon forget that horrible sound... :)

I’ve learned to slow down and take a break when needed. The at home kids didn’t mind at all when we needed to go outside for a few moments to take a water and mask break. It’s a really long morning until recess. Along with that I’ve learned the importance of still having fun. Playing games, even if it’s only a few minutes of the day. 

I’ve learned that we go through a lot of hand sanitizer each day, and that a paper cut then has the constant reminder.  :/ I’ve learned to use my front table to put out materials that the kids can easily pick up, so I don't need to spend time going desk to desk. I've learned to plan way in advance. What day do I need to share or pass out this paper? What day do I need to put this on the whiteboard? What day do I need to do this? I already knew I need notes and checklists, but this week I learned how much I really need the reminders.  

Yeah, I’ve learned a lot this week. Which is probably why I’m exhausted, yet happy. Every day is getting a little easier. I hope you had a great week too! 

What Can I Control?

Sometimes I really want to scream. I know it's not exactly an adult reaction but there is so much going on that I don't know exactly how to compartmentalize it all. Not just school stuff, but also life stuff. Like having to say goodbye to our 10 year old puppy on top of everything else.  

So instead of scream, I break down. And drink Diet Coke.  And go to bed early. And eat chocolate. And hit the punching bag that is really for my children... 

Have I mentioned I have completed 2 Sugar Fasts in the past year? I know that having sugar isn't helping the situation, that it makes me even more anxious... there has been a lot going on.  

I'm currently on a Social Media Fast too.  That really is helping a lot.  I highly recommend it. In fact I really recommend both books.  

 

In 10 days we have students back on campus.  Tomorrow marks a year since they went home from school (Friday, March 13th) and they haven't been back inside since. 

But in 10 days, a little over a week, they will be coming back.  Well, some of them.  A lot of them will be staying home each day.  About 1/3 of my class are in each group.  I don't exactly know how that happened.

10 Full Distance Learners

8 in Group A (attend in person Monday and Thursday)

10 in Group B (attend in person Tuesday and Friday)

When they aren't with me they will still be logging in at home. How do I split my attention from inside the classroom to online? I already sometimes feel so scattered with juggling too many plates in the air. I can only imagine it is going to increase ten-fold.

So what can I focus on that I can control?

*I can practice with my own mask for longer periods of time and wearing glasses - I still haven't figured out how to get them to not fog up. But I have time to do that now.

*I can try and get some of my paperwork ready for the future.

*I can get the first week of hybrid concurrent lightly sketched out so I have the start of a plan.

*I can check my classroom to make sure spacing really is the best flow of traffic.

*I can practice with all the new technology to make sure that it's really ready to go.

*I can work on my first day of the new routine powerpoint.

*I can meal prep a few things and stick it in the freezer so I don't have to think about dinner.

*I can get my stock of foaming bubble bath ready and start using it now.

*I can keep on reading my Bible, drinking my water, and getting out there to exercise.

*I can spend time in my garden and get some fresh air.

*I can spend quality time with my family and do something fun.

*I can talk to my husband, family, and friends to let them know how I'm really feeling.  I need to be honest with them.

I am not alone, and neither are you.  

We can do this.  

Hope you had a good day.