I'm linking up with my great friend Tara to share some things I've put together this past week. Nothing fancy but very effective!
Monday Made It #1
This is my current AR goal tracker. Each child has their own individual goal and they move once they make progress. I tried the vertical chart with clips but now I'm just using these FREE ones from here. I just laminated everything and used sticky tack. It seems to really motivate the students and they have no idea that some students have goals of 18 points while others may only need 4 points. I love that this makes the contest fair. They are in perfect competition with themselves.
Instasticks Free download
I printed two slides per page and they are smaller circles :)
Monday Made It #2
The Super Improver Story by WBT-
The Super Improver Story by WBT-
Two students have a foot race. The faster student wins and
she gets an "A" from the teacher. The slower student loses and gets
an "F". Every day, they have the same race. Every day, the result is
the same. After a while, the fast student loafs and the slow student quits. Of
course! The grading system is unfair and doesn't motivate either kid! The
teacher creates a new race. Now, the fast student only gets an "A"
when she beats her previous best time. Same with the slow student. Now, each
student always runs as hard as possible!
Have you heard of the Super Improver wall by Whole Brain
Teaching? I needed something to help a special friend so I watched an awesome video that convinced me to give it a try. Basically a Super Improver Wall is a
system that is purely positive. It's a concept that is fair because students have a perfect competitor... themselves. It helps students to visually see their
behavior and academic goals. Students are rewarded with stars for showing improvements in both academics and behavior. Every child has their
own personal goal so it’s an individualized plan.
Students can earn stars for many things because everyone can make progress. Students are striving to make individual improvements in any classroom activity. It might be increasing a grade on a test or remembering to be prepared for class. It can be
even little improvements such as neater handwriting or staying in their seat
throughout the day. The improvements are truly endless and differentiated for each student .
When students show improvement, they receive a star on their name
card. 10 stars= advance to the next level. There are 10 levels in the system so children would need 100
improvements to make it to the top level. When a child meets a goal, I am just coloring in a star on their card. I think only 2-4 students actually make
it to the top level by the end of the year. If they do.... you make a huge deal! I
plan on putting their picture on my wall for my future students to see.
My favorite part of the system is it challenges every kid at every
level. It encourages students to go beyond their personal best. They can’t get
lazy because they have personal records to beat. This system allows every
student an equal chance at success. I’m noticing that with my high achieving
kids I’m setting more academic goals. It’s really caused them to become
motivated in meeting their goals in subject areas. I highly recommend watching the entire video right here. Do you use the SIW? I'd love to see how you use it in your room.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Looking for a fun St.
Patrick's Day treat? We made some leprechaun pudding to help us try to catch that wee little mischief- maker.
Ingredients
1 can of crushed pineapples
1 box of pudding (pistachio or banana cream)
1 container of cool whip
I cup of marshmallows
