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High School Teachers Chatboard

Streamlined quizzes

by hst

Jul 18, 2012

I feel I need to increase the frequency of quizzes I give, but need to make this process as quick to administer and to grade as possible. I do want to be able to give 2 versions so that I minimize the copying that might occur. I have some ideas but would love to hear how others accomplish this. Thanks!

view previous comments

mm I use my test banks for multiple choice and true/false quizzes which can check understanding throughout a unit, etc. When it comes to the actual tests and exams, some of these questions magically reappear (there really is a reason for kids to pay attention when taking up quizzes!) I often tweak the questions for the final unit test and for exams. ...See More

Jul 19, 2012

Joe/HS/CT If you're giving multiple choice or short answer type questions, put the answer blanks all down the same column so you can quickly go down the paper and grade the answers. For multiple choice, you can also use a Scantron machine (if that's available to you) to grade those answers. I only use it for tests, but one teacher in my department has studen...See More

Jul 20, 2012

Combination lunch/tutorials/clubs

by piare2

Jul 23, 2012

Does anyone have this in their school? Evidently the students get 1 hour for lunch, where they go to either tutorials or club activities for half of it, then lunch for the other half. They eat where they want to. Teachers will either have tutorials or club activities.

This is very new, I don't know what to think or how it works. Anyone els...See More

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piare2 Our Education Code requires a duty free lunch, better than in the contract, it's a law. I'm curious to learn how all of this will work.

On 7/27/12, Teri wrote: > I can't imagine the ruckus if they tried that here. Don't your > contracts include a "duty free" lunch? > > On 7/26/12, hst wrote: >> On 7/25/12, piare2 wrote: &...See More

Jul 28, 2012

hst You may find it will be set up that you have 2 "lunch" periods each day, then are expected to hold tutorial and/or have duty for 5 of those periods a week, leaving 1 lunch period each day for you "duty-free." I am just saying, as was at least one other poster, that it is hard to keep away the students on those other periods - weather is bad so they...See MoreYou may find it will be set up that you have 2 "lunch" periods each day, then are expected to hold tutorial and/or have duty for 5 of those periods a week, leaving 1 lunch period each day for you "duty-free." I am just saying, as was at least one other poster, that it is hard to keep away the students on those other periods - weather is bad so they need somewhere to go, or more typically, students will need more time with you, or have a conflict with the assigned tutorial time, or just disregard the schedule. Some of my colleagues told their students they were available every lunch period, every time they did not have duty. I did not do that, but never really turned anyone away if they came at a time other than what was scheduled. At my school, the duty was important as we do not have off campus lunch but are in a location where it is very easy to slip off campus. Some schools with off campus lunch have an easier time implementing this as they are left with fewer students left on campus to monitor. On 7/28/12, piare2 wrote: > Our Education Code requires a duty free lunch, better than in the contract, > it's a law. I'm curious to learn how all of this will work. > > On 7/27/12, Teri wrote: >> I can't imagine the ruckus if they tried that here. Don't your >> contracts include a "duty free" lunch? >> >> On 7/26/12, hst wrote: >>> On 7/25/12, piare2 wrote: >>>> On 7/24/12, Henry wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Keeps you busy since teachers almost always have some group in >>>>> there re mediating most days. Get used to eating at your desk >>>> >>>> That's what I was wondering... once they are in your room for >>>> whatever reason, don't they just sort of stay through lunch? I >>>> suppose there is no way to get rid of them. :) >>> I have experience with something similar. We had supervisory >>> responsibilities for several of the half lunch periods, other times >>> were required to be in classrooms for tutorials, only a few periods >>> per week were "free" to the teacher. We were expected to have our >>> rooms open if the weather was bad even if we were not scheduled for >>> tutorial, since there would be fewer "open" areas outside for >>> students to go for lunch. When we did not have this schedule we are >>> expected to eat lunch in the school cafeteria where the students are >>> anyway, so no private/personal lunch anyway. I really liked this >>> lunch/tutorial program because it placed more of the responsibility >>> for remediation and make up work where it belongs: on the students. >>>

Jul 29, 2012

Anyone have experience Flipping their Classroom?

by Henry

Jul 24, 2012

I'm thinking about flipping my Biology class next semester. Anyone try this before? How did it work out for you?

piare2 I have not, but plan to do this SOME. Depends on how many kids don't have access at home. I plan to have them watch a lesson and work a problem along with it (I'm math). Then quickly review that same concept the next day and give them practice problems to work on while I'm there to help with any problems.

I just don't know what to do about...See More

Jul 25, 2012

piare2 with a bit more I can totally see this in Science. They day before a lab, for instance they could watch a video about a similar lab, or that addresses the topic (plate tectonics, for example) so they will get more from the lab. Maybe watch a video, read about what lab they will be doing and form their hypotheses at home...

On 7/25/12, piare2 wrote: > I...See More

Jul 25, 2012

Collecting and posting Ghost/ Folk Tales

by The Whispers of the Past

Jul 24, 2012

Looking for high schools across the United States and international high schools that would like to work together on an oral history project that saves local historical ghost or folk tables that includes or explains local history/culture. Students would post both a written copy and an audio or video copy of the tale on a web site. If interested in ...See More

Enrichment Classes for High School Students

by Kelly

Jul 25, 2012

My school is going to be offering 6 week rotating enrichment classes. What type of classes have other schools offered. We want this to be interesting and engaging for the students. The classes will be 30 minutes in length.

Sara On 7/25/12, Kelly wrote: > My school is going to be offering 6 week rotating > enrichment classes. What type of classes have other > schools offered. We want this to be interesting and > engaging for the students. The classes will be 30 minutes > in length.

Interesting and entertaining is refreshing. "Media Literacy" works w...See MoreOn 7/25/12, Kelly wrote: > My school is going to be offering 6 week rotating > enrichment classes. What type of classes have other > schools offered. We want this to be interesting and > engaging for the students. The classes will be 30 minutes > in length.

Interesting and entertaining is refreshing. "Media Literacy" works well here - viewing commercials and digesting and analyzing them. "History of American Film" works well - showing clips of classic films - without insisting that the students like them - or showing as much of the film as they can deal with - some classic films just don't stand the test of time after all. Another thought is letting the faculty teach their passion - what courses are doesn't matter as much as the teacher teaching them. A good teacher can make "History of the Kitchen Sink" interesting. I teach a course called "Speaking in Stone" and we look at public statues - why do we build statues to people and who are the people we build statues of (the current Penn State controversy will really add to this course!)

I'm not an artist, I'm a history teacher but one who has a great interest in public art but particulary statues and memorials. I teach it because I enjoy it - it's a strong side interest. Kids like it because I love it - I wouldn't recommend it as a class that every school should offer - you need someone who actively wants to teach such a class.

I also teach an enrichment class on the Civil War and for the same reason - it's a strong side interest of mine. What are your faculty's interests? Rather than look afield for what works in other schools, consider asking your faculty what they want to teach? It's only six weeks - what an opportunity to stretch your teaching wings and have fun teaching a short class in which you're really interested.

One of us here teaches Romance Novels... the junky type books sold in supermarkets - because she reads them! Another teacher here teaches the Seinfeld shows because he's devoted to the Seinfeld show and the taboos they explore - why did that show work so well? I'd take his class but I'd never teach it - I'm interested enough to know more but not passionate enough about Seinfeld to want to try to bring it alive for students.

Jul 28, 2012

hst Love this idea! Has me thinking about what I would teach if I could teach a short course in "my passion"! On 7/28/12, Sara wrote: > On 7/25/12, Kelly wrote: >> My school is going to be offering 6 week rotating >> enrichment classes. What type of classes have other >> schools offered. We want this to be interesting and >>...See MoreLove this idea! Has me thinking about what I would teach if I could teach a short course in "my passion"! On 7/28/12, Sara wrote: > On 7/25/12, Kelly wrote: >> My school is going to be offering 6 week rotating >> enrichment classes. What type of classes have other >> schools offered. We want this to be interesting and >> engaging for the students. The classes will be 30 minutes >> in length. > > > Interesting and entertaining is refreshing. "Media Literacy" > works well here - viewing commercials and digesting and > analyzing them. "History of American Film" works well - > showing clips of classic films - without insisting that the > students like them - or showing as much of the film as they > can deal with - some classic films just don't stand the test > of time after all. > Another thought is letting the faculty teach their passion - > what courses are doesn't matter as much as the teacher > teaching them. A good teacher can make "History of the Kitchen > Sink" interesting. I teach a course called "Speaking in Stone" > and we look at public statues - why do we build statues to > people and who are the people we build statues of (the current > Penn State controversy will really add to this course!) > > I'm not an artist, I'm a history teacher but one who has a > great interest in public art but particulary statues and > memorials. I teach it because I enjoy it - it's a strong side > interest. Kids like it because I love it - I wouldn't > recommend it as a class that every school should offer - you > need someone who actively wants to teach such a class. > > I also teach an enrichment class on the Civil War and for the > same reason - it's a strong side interest of mine. What are > your faculty's interests? Rather than look afield for what > works in other schools, consider asking your faculty what they > want to teach? It's only six weeks - what an opportunity to > stretch your teaching wings and have fun teaching a short > class in which you're really interested. > > One of us here teaches Romance Novels... the junky type books > sold in supermarkets - because she reads them! Another teacher > here teaches the Seinfeld shows because he's devoted to the > Seinfeld show and the taboos they explore - why did that show > work so well? I'd take his class but I'd never teach it - I'm > interested enough to know more but not passionate enough about > Seinfeld to want to try to bring it alive for students. >

Jul 29, 2012

School changing a student's grade

by Daniel Hanson

Jul 27, 2012

I wanted to share this article and get your reactions from it. I really would like to know the district and the teacher's side of the story, not just the angry mom's side of the story.

view previous comments

Problem with open gradebooks My school implemented an "open gradebook" last year, through with students and parents can see their grades any time. A problem with this, in my opinion, is that they can be easily misled when the teacher only has minor assignment grades (e.g. homework/classwork) and no assessments yet. Sure, a student might have a 100% average at some point, but o...See MoreMy school implemented an "open gradebook" last year, through with students and parents can see their grades any time. A problem with this, in my opinion, is that they can be easily misled when the teacher only has minor assignment grades (e.g. homework/classwork) and no assessments yet. Sure, a student might have a 100% average at some point, but only because we haven't had a test or quiz yet shows the mastery of the material. I have had to explain this to parents more than once when they have questioned why their children's grades suddenly dropped.

I am surprised that the school changed the grade to a B. Luckily my administration supports teachers' grades and would never consider overriding our professional judgment.

On 7/30/12, Vet Teacher wrote: > On 7/28/12, Daniel Hanson wrote: > > Neither do we know that the 'school automatically changed the grade > to a B' - we don't know how much discussion and thought went into > the school's decision as to how to respond to it. To blithely say > they 'automatically changed the grade' is to speak without knowing. > > This mother did accuse the teacher of violating the state education > code - did the administration think the parent had a point? Mistakes > are made in school and teachers are human. > > Or did the administration want this to go away? Have you ever tried > to run any institution much less a school? Does the administration > of a school particularly in these times have larger problems that > demand time and energy than this one? > > Possibly but it's also possible they agreed with the parent and > the 'B' was the administration's attempt to compromise between the > C+ awarded by the teacher and the A+ wanted by the parent. > > All that said, I'd also say - I have seen unprofessional behavior > from teachers. I both admire your school and envy it too if your > colleagues there never exhibit anything less than perfect > professionalism. I've even seen some teachers engage in some rather > petty and vindictive behavior toward students, parents and even > their colleagues. > > But that's my school and it may be that yours are very different. > > >> Very good points. I hate the mentality that if a child or parent >> complains to the school, they just expect the school to just >> change the grade for them. Notice how the school automatically >> changed the grade to a B just because the mother complained about >> the grade and made accusations. Most teachers are competent at >> what they do and they legally are supposed to be the ones to >> evaluate the student's knowledge and performance in the subject >> matter. When I hear situations like this (of course, we do not >> know the full story here), it makes me feel like we as teachers >> are treated less and less like the professionals that we are. I'm >> talking about as a whole, as a profession. That kind of mentality >> as well as the one-sided stories presented in the media sickens >> me. (And yes, there are bad teachers out there, just like there >> are bad workers in any profession. Don't label the rest of us > though.) >> >>

Aug 3, 2012

Problem with open gradebooks--THIS ONE Sorry--had some errors in the last one that I missed!!

My school implemented an "open gradebook" last year, through which students and parents can see their grades any time. A problem with this, in my opinion, is that they can be easily misled when the teacher only has minor assignment grades (e.g. homework/classwork) and no assessments y...See MoreSorry--had some errors in the last one that I missed!!

My school implemented an "open gradebook" last year, through which students and parents can see their grades any time. A problem with this, in my opinion, is that they can be easily misled when the teacher only has minor assignment grades (e.g. homework/classwork) and no assessments yet. Sure, a student might have a 100% average at some point, but only because we haven't had a test or quiz yet that shows the mastery of the material. I have had to explain this to parents more than once when they have questioned why their children's grades suddenly dropped.

I am surprised that the school changed the grade to a B. Luckily my administration supports teachers' grades and would never consider overriding our professional judgment.

On 8/03/12, Problem with open gradebooks wrote: > My school implemented an "open gradebook" last year, through with > students and parents can see their grades any time. A problem with > this, in my opinion, is that they can be easily misled when the > teacher only has minor assignment grades (e.g. homework/classwork) and > no assessments yet. Sure, a student might have a 100% average at some > point, but only because we haven't had a test or quiz yet shows the > mastery of the material. I have had to explain this to parents more > than once when they have questioned why their children's grades > suddenly dropped. > > I am surprised that the school changed the grade to a B. Luckily my > administration supports teachers' grades and would never consider > overriding our professional judgment. > > > On 7/30/12, Vet Teacher wrote: >> On 7/28/12, Daniel Hanson wrote: >> >> Neither do we know that the 'school automatically changed the grade >> to a B' - we don't know how much discussion and thought went into >> the school's decision as to how to respond to it. To blithely say >> they 'automatically changed the grade' is to speak without knowing. >> >> This mother did accuse the teacher of violating the state education >> code - did the administration think the parent had a point? Mistakes >> are made in school and teachers are human. >> >> Or did the administration want this to go away? Have you ever tried >> to run any institution much less a school? Does the administration >> of a school particularly in these times have larger problems that >> demand time and energy than this one? >> >> Possibly but it's also possible they agreed with the parent and >> the 'B' was the administration's attempt to compromise between the >> C+ awarded by the teacher and the A+ wanted by the parent. >> >> All that said, I'd also say - I have seen unprofessional behavior >> from teachers. I both admire your school and envy it too if your >> colleagues there never exhibit anything less than perfect >> professionalism. I've even seen some teachers engage in some rather >> petty and vindictive behavior toward students, parents and even >> their colleagues. >> >> But that's my school and it may be that yours are very different. >> >> >>> Very good points. I hate the mentality that if a child or parent >>> complains to the school, they just expect the school to just >>> change the grade for them. Notice how the school automatically >>> changed the grade to a B just because the mother complained about >>> the grade and made accusations. Most teachers are competent at >>> what they do and they legally are supposed to be the ones to >>> evaluate the student's knowledge and performance in the subject >>> matter. When I hear situations like this (of course, we do not >>> know the full story here), it makes me feel like we as teachers >>> are treated less and less like the professionals that we are. I'm >>> talking about as a whole, as a profession. That kind of mentality >>> as well as the one-sided stories presented in the media sickens >>> me. (And yes, there are bad teachers out there, just like there >>> are bad workers in any profession. Don't label the rest of us >> though.) >>> >>

Aug 3, 2012

First Year Teacher - 2nd career

by Marian T.

Aug 6, 2012

I have worked for a large corporation for the last 18 years, and I was just hired as a 9th grade teacher for our local high school. I am 47 and this will be MY first day of school also! I am suddenly feeling completely overwhelmed!

Is there ONE major thing I should do/know before I start this wonderful new journey in two weeks?

view previous comments

Other Options If you indicate what subject(s) you will be teaching and if you will have block periods or not, you may get some more specific suggestions. Also, is this a class where students with disabilities are likely to be included. If this is so, then making some time to read over the section of the IEPs that pertain to your subject area may be important and...See More

Aug 25, 2012

You can do it! You can do this. I will feel like you can't sometimes, but you can.

Be willing accept and respond to feedback learn from it and you will get better and be awesome.

Ask for feedback if you are having trouble. If you feel stabbed in the back by the first person you ask for help, find someone else and ask for help till you get what...See More

Aug 25, 2012

Have yet to receive course sections/schedule

by ugh!

Aug 6, 2012

Schedule pick-up for students is next week, and I have yet to receive any inkling of any semblance of a schedule.

I know what subject I'm teaching, but don't know yet if I will have Pre-AP again, or if I will have an inclusion section since we were told that this year the whole team would be sharing this load, or if it will be all regular ...See More

view previous comments

hst On 8/06/12, ugh! wrote: > Schedule pick-up for students is next week, and I have yet > to receive any inkling of any semblance of a schedule. > > I know what subject I'm teaching, but don't know yet if I > will have Pre-AP again, or if I will have an inclusion > section since we were told that this year the whole team > would b...See More

Aug 7, 2012

Do you have an online information system? We use PowerSchool, and when I logged in the other day I saw all of my class sections and student names. If you take attendance/do grades online, it's possible this information will be there.

On 8/07/12, hst wrote: > On 8/06/12, ugh! wrote: >> Schedule pick-up for students is next week, and I have yet >> to receive any ink...See More

Aug 9, 2012

In case you're asked to "Flip" your classroom, here's info

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 7, 2012

If you haven't heard about The Flipped Classroom Model, you will. Be prepared by reading what teachers said.

In case you're asked to "Flip" your classroom, here's info

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Aug 7, 2012

If you haven't heard about The Flipped Classroom Model, you will. Be prepared by reading what teachers said.

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