Every summer, I have a few weeks to recover from the school year and to play at home with my son and relax. Sometimes I worry that I won't get excited for the next school year, but that's never actually the case. From the very start, I read 2 or 3 or 4 (lot count!) classroom management books, as that is my true goal and focus this year. I typically feel like I start out strong with procedures and management, and then I think I just put it on the back shelf as we really get into academics. So I have been coming up with a plan this summer for what I think will work for me on being consistent and fair in the classroom. The main element that I have come up with is using classroom meetings. (I was inspired by Positive Discipline) I like this because it doesn't require me to worry about clip charts or if any specific action falls under which rule, yadda yadda. Any problem that a student feels is an issue that they would like to discuss, puts their item on the agenda. I think that problem solving with the kids will provide a really good and encouraging classroom experience. The other bit that I took from another book (Setting Limits in the Classroom) is using limited choices when a student makes a choice. So instead of moving a clip for a warning, I will give the student 2 choices-- both of which would satisfy my, and then follow through if needed.
My next step for classroom management is to develop my ideal classroom picture and think about all of the routines/procedures that I need to teach in order to get there.
Whew, on to the next topic of discussion! Daily 5 Math. Never even heard about it, until I came across a forum discussion about it. I would LOVE this format for math, I haven't quite gotten math to be smooth and truly differentiated and I think this would really work for that. Now, I just have to figure out how to arrange it, how to implement it during the first 6 weeks of school, and I need to gather resources for math games. I'm thinking of doing Math by Myself, Math with a Buddy, Math with the Teacher and one more that I am completely blanking on! There was a really cute M.A.T.H. acronym that I came across earlier today that I will have to go find again.
Lastly, the third thing that I would like to try is implementing CAFE in the classroom with Daily 5. I've done Daily 5 for the past 2 years, so I feel comfortable in launching it, but haven't been ambitious enough to attempt CAFE. I think that this year might be the year. I don't know... we'll have to see how I do with the other 2 things I want to work on this year!
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