Student Feedback Drives Success

We know that evaluation is a high level DOK skill, so student evaluation and feedback can propel learning in your classroom.  While the feedback to students from their peers will never be the quality that you can provide, it is a valuable learning tool for both the students receiving and giving feedback.  And, it's really engaging!

During warm up, students shared their extended paragraph outlines and got feedback from their partners.  The sophistication of this dialogue demonstrated that student-led conversations are a valuable learning tool.

Both grade-level math classes lined the hall to quiz one another on slopes, intercepts, etc.  To share a variety of concepts, only one line moved as partners shifted.

Flyertime Fun

This week as I observed Flyertimes, I saw some great examples of what makes this time valuable for kids.  Whether it's a focus on relationship building, service, or leadership, Flyertime has value.  As you look at what's happening in the variety of classrooms below, it is clear that Flyertime offers students the opportunity for non-traditional learning.  As we continue to look at how we spend "Flyertime," consider what makes it good and how do we capitalize on those pieces to make it even better?

Think Win Win - it's a bracket!

Students make doggie blankets instead of blankets for the homeless when donations are limited.

This group adjusted their plan based on limited donations, demonstrating problem-solving skills.

Geocaching is an opportunity to try something new in Flyertime.

Students get online to build their perspective of the community through geocaching.

Student-created Flyertime activities; through brainstorming, students take ownership for their own class.

Appreciating those who support us, students make a collaborative thank you card for the Board of Education, and everyone has a role!

Supporting our seniors - students design the placements for the monthly Senior Associates breakfast.

Students learn about marketing as they design their service learning project.

Putting Students Before Reading

At this time of the year, throughout Truman, you can see students "owning" their reading.  In every grade level, students are participating in book clubs to discuss books; in some cases, these books are chosen by students based on a specific genre and in others, students chose from a pre-determined selection.  What's amazing about this process is the amount of student control.  Students are designing their work flow, as a group determining what to read by which date in order to discuss and share themes from the book.  The richness of this learning process is amazing for many reasons:

1)  Student Choice

2)  Student Responsibility

3)  Student Engagement

4)  Student-Centered

5)  Student-Driven

Notice the common theme of the above list:  students!  When we put students at the forefront of the reading process, they do the work, they learn, and they build skills. 

Students are reviewing their notes for their discussion.

Students collaborate on the work.

Students talk about literature.

The Power of Technology in Rigor and Relevance

We've talked about rigor and relevance:  the ability to get kids thinking deeply beyond the classroom environment.  Check out these examples as students work at a high level of DOK on assignments that have a connection beyond the subject and the school environment.  Notice how each of these examples integrates technology - this is the power of technology, not just as bells and whistles, but as a valuable tool for increased learning!

Students in Robotics and Engineering become engineers, drafting concepts, writing code for their motors to work, and reflecting on the process.  These design skills will serve them far into the future.

Through the Rosetta Stone program, students are learning languages beyond our traditional offerings:  Italian, Japanese, and...

Making a news broadcast to showcase their knowledge of weather, students integrate technology use and collaboration skills to create a thoughtful, content-specific product.

 

Students Skype with the composer of their newest piece.  As they played for her, she provided feedback and extended their ability to emote the sound.

Stations provide a way for students to "own" their learning, practicing a new skill independently and in a broader context.  In these stations, students are conferring with their teachers and practicing the practical application of a grammar skill through author analysis and writing.

Book discussions can have many different formats to engage kids - these students communicate with each other on Edmodo to further their understanding of the book, the author's choices, and make personal connections.  By integrating technology, student comfort is increased and teacher feedback and questioning is integrated.