Our class has a new website -

http://KirrScholars.blogspot.com

Catch up with us there, or check out our Genius Hour blog -

http://geniushour.blogspot.com

My Beliefs about Homework, Grading & Testing

I believe in homework.  I believe that children will go home and learn with their families, learn from reading books of their choice, and learn from experiences wherever they may be.  I do not believe in worksheets or "busy work."

I believe that homework should be valuable. If I assign homework, I must believe it will benefit the student in some way.  Therefore, if the student does not do the assignment, or receives a low grade (showing he/she hasn't learned the material), he/she will come back to me at some point and we will work together on it.

I believe in grades. I believe that students should know where they are in relation to where they could be with their learning. That being said, I am working on how to effectively grade students based on their performance of the standards we've set for them. I do not believe on giving grades of zero when a student has not turned in an assignment. How do I know what he knows if he does not turn it in? Does a late grade of 50% off show that he does NOT know the subject, or just that he is disorganized (or had a soccer game, or... etc.)? I will be giving students time in school to complete assignments I feel will help them learn. If an assignment is not completed, but I have conversed with that student over the learning connected with the assignment, I will not put a zero in the gradebook.

I believe in testing students.  I believe in testing students throughout the year, and changing what I teach to them as a result of these assessments.  I believe that students should show me what they've learned in some way.  I do not believe that it needs to be on paper with a pencil.  I believe students should be able to show me what they've learned in many ways - through one-on-one conferences, blogging, projects, presentations, and paper.  Yes, students will be taking standardized tests throughout their career. They will, most likely, have opportunities to practice that type of testing in other classes.

I've done it!  Finally, Mrs. Kirr (me!) has learned how to upload our end-of-the-year video/picture montage!  27 min. was too long, so it is now split in three parts.

Enjoy!

Part 1

http://youtu.be/rDaDi1BMxPg

Part 2

http://youtu.be/G2bgk-V3EC4  (Still working on this one!! It's giving me trouble!)

Part 3

http://youtu.be/2-BHgk919AE

Our short stories are published online!  If you signed the agreement, your story is here - check it out, and enjoy other students' stories, like I did!

We began our literature circle groups on 5/14.  All jobs are posted on Edline, in case you lose your work between classes.

Our schedule for Literature Circle Groups:

Monday, 5/14 - Read & Complete Role #1
Tuesday, 5/15 - Group Discussion #1
                          Begin Read & Role #2
Wednesday, 5/16 - Read & Complete Role #2
                              Independent Reading Opportunity
Thursday, 5/17 - Group Discussion #2
                            Begin Read & Role #3
Friday, 5/18 - Read & Complete Role #3
Monday, 5/21 - Group Discussion #3
                          Begin Read & Role #4
Tuesday, 5/22 - Read & Complete Role #4
Wednesday, 5/23 - Group Discussion #4
                               Complete extra jobs
                               Independent Reading Opportunity
Tuesday, 5/29 - Introduction and work on final projects (keynote)
Wednesday, 5/30 - Work on final projects
                               Visit from Mr. Spicer (AHML)
Thursday, 5/31 - Present group projects

HW:
* Each day, bring something else to read (in case you finish early).
* Read 20 min. / Blog by Sunday PM.

Today we took a few minutes first to vote on the reinstatement of "Chapter One" or not.  The results  will be evident next Friday.

Next, we prepared for the rest of the year... Our ten literature circle choices were discussed, and students voted on the stories they'd like to read.  Each student should get one of their top five choices, if all goes well!  Books will be chosen based on interest (#1), completion of work in class (#2), and reading scores (#3).  Of course, how students work well in each group will also be a consideration!

We then took time to model how students will be working in class, each job that is assigned, and how students will discuss the books every other day.  Monday's blog post will include the schedule we will follow for the rest of the year.  This is very student-driven, teacher-facilitated, and the reading will be done in class, so everyone is expected to finish the group-decided reading each day.  The only excuse will be if a student is absent, but then he/she can check out a book the next night!  :-)


HW:
* Look for something to read independently for our last month together.  Bring this to school on Monday.

On our first day back to "real school," we first practiced discussion / debate skills with an activity regarding favorite and most educational activities from Taft.  We then wrote genuine thank you notes to teachers that impacted our past three days.

HW:
* Look for something to read independently for our last month together.  Bring this to school on Monday.