Five Thoughts on Making Class MORE Enjoyable!

Five Thoughts on Making Class MORE Enjoyable!

Be Yourself!

I trained to be a teacher in the "dark ages" and the number one piece of advice I was given was not to smile before Thanksgiving.  Such discouraging counsel!  Obviously you aren't going to be students' friends like their peers are.  But you can be friendly!  And you can smile!  Share a bit of your personality and personal life especially in those first weeks as you are getting to know your students.  Relax. Make it conspicuous that you love to learn, love math, and love teaching!

Music can make it better!

I love Matt Vaudrey's post on using music to make class better!  Music cues can direct student action and eliminate some of the need of the teacher's constant instruction!

Use music during independent work; allow students to listen to and/or share their own music (school appropriate lyrics only).

Music lightens the spirit and reduces anxiety!

Use HUMOR!

I can't resist sharing the math jokes from Math=Love posting this week!  Invite your students to find or create math jokes to add to this ready-made stash!  Include a joke on tests or in weekly emails to parents.

Check out this American Psychological Association article on how laughing can lead to learning!

Take Learning Outside!

It's hot as blazes here and no one would want to go outside for a learning activity!  BUT in a few weeks the weather is going to be glorious!  It will be the perfect time for sidewalk chalk and math on the move!

Here are six outside middle school math ideas to prompt your thinking!

And FIVE outdoor activities for high school math!

Math Trails take time to develop ... maybe that's a project for students or a long-range goal for your teaching team.

Practice Self-Care ... and spread joy among your colleagues!

The beginning of the school year is taxing at best.  It's easy to get caught up in decorating, prepping, meeting, and grading ... and forgetting to set aside time for yourself!  Look at your planning and home calendar.  Take some time now to mark out an hour here or there just for YOU!  Whether it be a dinner date with a dear friend or a bubble bath in quiet ... taking time for yourself is essential!

Beyond that time for yourself, remember ... don't isolate, instead collaborate!  Join the #ITeachMath or #MTBoS community on Twitter!  You'll be glad you did :)

Also think about spreading joy among your colleagues!  Share a smile, a positive thought from a recent encounter with students, or kudos for all your teammates are doing!

Math Posters

I've been thinking about posters tonight.  We've been discussing bulletin boards on Twitter.  If you have pictures of bulletin boards or posters in your room ... share them!

Here are some from my classroom ... I'm still looking for others to share from old files.

If you like any of these, look in this Google Folder ...

Some of these are inspired by Make It Stick by Peter Brown!

Favorite Reminder posters ...

And some older ones ...

And from Oklahoma Math Website ... the cutest function stick figures!  Here are a couple of them:

Other favorite freebies are from AMS!  Check out the American Mathematical Society free posters!  There's still time to order them!

Parade of Posters

Gathering poster ideas all in one spot!

My most recent ones ...

And some older ones ...

My favorite freebies are from AMS!  Check out the American Mathematical Society free posters at http://www.ams.org/samplings/posters/posters.

#MTBoSBlaugust 19: The room is done

Students arrive on Tuesday.
I have plans ... I feel like they need tweaking.
My room is done.

#MTBoSBlaugust 16: Last minute project

The last night before the year begins ... and once it starts, it's like an avalanche!

I tried to relax this weekend, take some time away from the computer.  I haven't been completely successful.  I'm always anxious, excited, apprehensive, and overwhelmed at the beginning of school.

This year, I want to practice random grouping.  I want to leave the desks in groups of 3 and 4's.  As students enter, they will find their group assignments projected (or draw cards).  To determine where they will sit, I have group signs.  Hubs is helping me with this last minute project.

A can of tomatoes (unopened for weight), 5 ft of lath, and liquid nails forms the station sign.  I'll cover the can with duck tape when the glue dries.  Then we'll glue clothespins on the top ... one facing upward to hold the station number; the other clothespin will face downward - to hold group instructions.

When they are done and in the room I'll post updated pictures.

#MTBoSBlaugust 13: Decor update

I spent just a short while in my room today ... air conditioning still broken ... much too hot for anything productive!

I added the caption to the back board as shown in this picture:

I finished the board in the front ... it's busy ... I may have to invite students to take time to read what's on it!

This afternoon I want to put my to-do list together ... I feel like I'm forgetting something important.  I also want to put together the first few HW assignments ... interleaved, lagging, short!

#MTBoSBlaugust 12: Classroom decor ... in progress

My first contract day is Monday.  I am slow in decorating so I went in this week to work on the task.  Unfortunately, the air conditioning has been broken ... and the upstairs classroom is really hot.  It's triple digits outside ... and not far from that inside.  So ... I worked until the heat got to me!  I just reminded myself most people pay for a sauna!

The room still needs work but I have a few pictures.  You'll recognize the posters from some of the poster gurus in the MTBoS!

 

I used the same material from last year as the background.  I changed the border.  These two 4x4 boards are in the front of the room.  On one of the boards will be new posters based on Make it Stick.  On the other are the usual ... school information posters.

This bulletin board is in the center of the back of the room.  I need to put the caption on it ... in the bottom box.

In the room the arrangement looked OK.  In this picture, the quotes at the bottom need to be aligned.  I may need to re-staple!

I'm in what used to be a science room.  The counter with drawers and cabinets is awesome!  Those blue boxes are for student files ... one box per class.  They are made by Boxa Hopper.  The back counter is for students ... the drawers hold paper, pencils, colors, and more.  I don't make a fuss over materials.  I invite their parents to help send in supplies and a few do.  It seems to work.

I have a LOT of wall space.  In the back I posted the names of our units in the order we will study them.  On the far side, I have more posters to put up.

My room is still too white!  But it is coming along.

These are a few new posters.  I created two of them and bought the third one.  I love the center phrase, "Just be awesome."









I still have a quite a bit of work to do.  They say the air conditioning may be fixed tomorrow.  I can't go back in the heat ... nearly did myself in today!

#MTBoSBlaugust 2: Classroom Poster

Using your school mascot, create an acrostic of character traits you wish to instill in your students ...

I've been working on posters for my classroom, so this #MTBoSBlaugust prompt seemed timely!  I'm thinking about using VistaPrint or BestValueCopy for the final print!

#70 Days #FridayBlog

I started making posters for my classroom today ... designing them ... now just need to find a good way to get them printed.




There are only three so far.  The content comes from the book Make It Stick by Peter Brown.  We've been discussing it at #eduread ... my favorite online Twitter Chat.

This is my second time to read the book and I'm hoping to spend a little more time this summer digesting it, and figuring out how to implement key ideas in my classroom.  One goal I have is to teach students how to quiz themselves as they are learning.

I wrote about this book in a previous post ... check it out there.  Also look back for more posters in a couple of weeks.

Heading out to the beach in the morning ... hoping to relax on sand for a while with my extended family!  Excited to be on our way!

 Brown, P. (n.d.). Make it stick: The science of successful learning. 

Room decor

I am still working on my classroom ... I made good progress today.  The boxes are empty, the drawers organized (not labeled yet), and the furniture arranged.  The basic bulletin boards are completed.  Here are a few pics:

On the outside of my door is a favorite poster, "Today became great when you arrived."  It's not just about arriving physically, but it's about showing up mentally and soulfully as well.  We have much work to do ... so the day is GREAT when you arrive ready to dive in!

Our building is old ... and the "fire blanket box" is there to stay. Fortunately the shelving fits behind the door.  The baskets are for student files.  We just put quizzes and unit tests in there so they are not huge files.  Right now I have art supplies on that shelving unit as well but I'm thinking about moving it.  I like these things right by the door because I can set them on the "pick-up" table nearby based on the day's activities.

This is the pick up table right next to the door.  Handouts and supplies will be there as students enter.  I also plan to have a quote a week in the frame.

The bulletin board is about growth mindset, learning zone, and grit. I know I'll leave this up for at least several weeks - maybe 2 marking periods - as we get used to reflecting on our thinking, frustration levels, and learning zone.

You see an old pencil sharpener in the picture without its cover - that will come down next week!

Hanging above the board and bulletin board is one of two banners.  I teach advanced students (1 and 2 years ahead ... even one 8th grader in algebra 2 this year).  They have not had to apply much grit in their learning path.  Instead math often comes very easy to them.  Last year I noticed that when challenged some students became agitated. I hope to challenge them more this year and help them understand better the need for perseverance.

The view from the doorway across the front of the room ... whiteboards, screen, small desk for computer and doc camera, printer (I hope they don't take it away - not all rooms get one), and my "fake" window!

It looks small on these huge walls. But it is a peaceful outdoor scene to provide some reminder of life outside these four walls. I realize now that having no windows makes for huge wall space.  Almost too much ... 

The back corner of the room will be supplies for students - paper, graph paper, etc.  I'll also create a place there for extra copies, for picking up missed assignments.  There are plenty of organizers there ... just not labeled yet.

The area under the clock is a sink - benefit of being in an old science room. That will be my coffee/tea station. And a place for students to refill water bottles.

These small posters remind students about our classroom norms - my version of rules.

The function bulletin board turned out well.  It doesn't have a caption yet ... still working on lettering. It is a permanent board ... livens up the room!

I'm using the science desk as my "teacher" desk.  The side facing the students was a bit rough but now it looks nice with free posters from AMS.

I'm still deciding about the chalkboard behind my desk.  I want to invite student art there. We'll see.

The bulletin board near the door has the basic school information on it. I refer to the calendar, 3 schedules, and lunch information often - as do students.








I still have a LOT of wall space.  I have some ideas for part of it - mostly borrowed from my online PLN ... amazing posters and more!

I no longer feel like an alien in the room.  It's coming together.