tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414622914006646376.post966647692531324808..comments2024-01-27T08:49:12.307-05:00Comments on An "Old Math Dog" Learning New Tricks: One Quarter DownLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11928419408011193721noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414622914006646376.post-87062348076101817102010-12-13T16:31:12.134-05:002010-12-13T16:31:12.134-05:00I'm a big fan of practicing and demonstrating ...I'm a big fan of practicing and demonstrating in class what you want students to do. For homework, maybe try a flipped class (reverse teaching) where they do the lecture (video or textbook) at home, then do the homework in class. Doing the homework there will give you a chance to see how students are doing it, and suggest/model ways to make it more useful to them.<br /><br />Just an idea!John Goldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18212162438307044259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414622914006646376.post-18585112592219068432010-11-01T22:32:23.335-04:002010-11-01T22:32:23.335-04:00I saw similar problems with the homework, but I...I saw similar problems with the homework, but I've had some success with increased rates. <br />I started taking a quick hands-only survey on homework. Question 1: who's done at least one homework problem since last class? Question 2: who has done enough problems that they feel comfortable with the topic?<br /><br />That way I'm keeping some track of what homework they don't do, and reinforcing the point of homework. It seems to be working so far, I only had to have sit-down discussions with 2 students out of 100 about "just because it isn't graded, doesn't mean you don't have to do it."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414622914006646376.post-20943362241041516232010-10-29T08:01:51.271-04:002010-10-29T08:01:51.271-04:00Good questions, most of which I don't have ans...Good questions, most of which I don't have answers to. <br />1) But, as to the homework/practice question, I too have started SBG this year and I haven't noticed any dropoff in homework completion so far this year. I treated it exactly like last year, I check it every day that it's assigned, and put down a "grade" in the grade book. They know that it isn't worth anything for points, but the kids are still doing the practices. You could try a warning that they can't try and re-take a quiz until the practice on that topic is completed. It might be another carrot for them to complete the practice. I told them this but I've decided to not abide by it (yet). <br /><br />4) Something that I've tried that has been somewhat successful when handing back quizzes, is I ask the people who scored a perfect on a specific concept to stand up and put away their quiz. Then I give the class 2 minutes to ask one of those people standing or myself how to fix their errors on their quiz. At the very least, you can celebrate the kids who do well, and then you can see the kids who aren't asking from help from you or their peers and confront them about it.Dan Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15057810724811950509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414622914006646376.post-50965742243524438362010-10-29T07:36:51.667-04:002010-10-29T07:36:51.667-04:00From some of my reading of other blogs and via Twi...From some of my reading of other blogs and via Twitter, an idea that might hello is that in order to reassess kids must show you something that shows they have done more work towards understanding. This may lead some back to e hw they might not have done and maybe help them understand why the practice is important.<br /><br />This year, I am reviewing hw and giving feedback, but there is no grade for the work. I do expect it to be completed and will speak to a student if not. We use the work to begin the next class so it is definitely to their advantage. As you are just getting to new ideas, it may take some a bit of time to understand their need to practice, but most get it.<br /><br />Also in a class last year, I went around while we reviewed hw and just checked for completion. It was not part of a grade, but something I could use to have a conversation with a student or their parent if needed.Dvora Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05916308640129030865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414622914006646376.post-69510842306707759362010-10-28T20:34:14.368-04:002010-10-28T20:34:14.368-04:00@Sam - I LOVE #3. Definitely going to have to try...@Sam - I LOVE #3. Definitely going to have to try that one. <br /><br />On #1 - the more I think about it, the closer I am coming to the conclusion that I am going to need to make them accountable somehow. One fleeting thought I had today was to pass around a sheet where they have to write how much they did of the assignment or if they did the assignment or something like that. Not sure if I am going to do that or not - I wonder how honest they would be (especially my Math 1 kids).<br /><br />On #2 - I am going to have to think about if I've got some kids that would do that. Good point there.<br /><br />As far as Calc goes - I had forgotten about the extra assessment time. Like you, I used to give about 3 big tests a grading period. I gave 2 this time plus 3 quizzes (which took up at least half a period), so that slows us down too. But this group is HONESTLY the lowest I've had. There are really some skills they should have that they don't as well as prior knowledge they don't have. I am encouraged to know that someone else is "behind" (for lack of better word). Thanks!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11928419408011193721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6414622914006646376.post-9438018701870059582010-10-28T20:21:15.374-04:002010-10-28T20:21:15.374-04:00I am only doing SBG with my calculus classes (seni...I am only doing SBG with my calculus classes (seniors), and most of them are so worried about colleges that they do their homework (or they don't need to because they get it). I am going slower this year than last year also -- maybe a consequence of my students, but also I know it has to do with the fact that I take more days in class to assess them than I did before (when there were 3 or so large high stakes tests per quarter).<br /><br />Some thoughts:<br /><br />1. I spoke to students at the start of the year, about the grading system, and about 3 times in the first month, we had a discussion about it. Not "do you like it or not" but "what does ___ mean for you?" and "why are we doing this?" and "what are the pitfalls you can fall into, because this seems so beneficial to you...?"<br /><br />Talking about it explicitly and frequently, I think, was important. I feel I should have even talked about it more.<br /><br />I think for kids who you don't want to "nag" -- I say, don't "nag" but encourage. At least for the next quarter. Talk to them about how you believe in them, and how you want them to show you how much they know. That they can be math rockstars. <br /><br />Once they see they can do well, that could help a bunch of them.<br /><br />As for the homework thing: that's HUGE. Some ideas:<br /><br />1. Walk around and record whose doing it, but don't count it for a grade. Just knowing that they're accountable, and that you can call them out on it, might help some.<br /><br />2. Talk to a couple students who DO reassess and do their homework... who might not be doing as well in a traditional class... and if they'd be good models, invite them to talk to the class about what they do, why they do it, and any tips they have to share. (One big one will be DO YOUR HOMEWORK, I'm pretty sure.)<br /><br />3. Do an exercise with your kids one class where you teach them something hard, but don't let them pick up their pencils. Just watch. That's about 15 minutes. Then give them a short 2 question quiz. Collect them.<br /><br />Then give them 15-20 minutes to practice, ask each other and you questions, and work through some problems. Then give them another short quiz (similar to the practice problems). Collect them.<br /><br />Grade both and show them the results. Have them come up with the conclusion. (Hopefully: Math is not a spectator sport. The work you put in affects the work you produce. Yadda.)<br /><br />SamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com