Improving the Math Scores of Middle School Students

Title: Improving the math scores of middle school students (click here)

As low performing schools work to improve their math scores, this podcast provides advice for teachers and administrators including:

1) Resources

2) Time on task

3) Structures

4) Mentors

5) Looping

Academic Rigor

Title: Academic Rigor...

what children say... "it's when you are challenged"

what professionals say.. "it's doesn't mean 'more'; it means that all children are being served on their level"

what teachers say... "....

Do you have an opinion?

My Kids are Not a Test Score: Three Things

Title: My Kids are Not a Test Score: Three Things (click here)

This podcast is a reflection of what I believe middle school children need. My students' FCAT scores were some of the worst in the state. But my students are some of the most capable. This podcast looks at three things that middle schools could consider.

My Kids are Not a Test Score

1) Leadership Training

2) Mentors

3) Service Learning

I believe my children have the potential to be successful. I believe these components could give them the motivation they need. I welcome your thoughts.

Advice: Three Things (Click Here)

Title: Advice (A PowerPoint)
During the 2008-2009 school year I was a mentor to three new teachers in a school with over 30 brand new teachers. At the close of the school year I invited all of the mentors and their new teachers to share advice they had for new teachers. This podcast is a summary of that data.

Before listening to the podcast, consider what you believe to be the three most important pieces of advice for new teachers. I have included a link to the power point that shares the data and the podcast. I hope you gather some ideas from this podcast.

What Mentors Say: Three Things

1. You
2. Planning
3. Relationships

Building Structures: Three Things (click here)

Title: Building Structures... Three Things

Before listening to this pod cast write down things you consider to be important in teaching. When you hear the word "structures" what does that make you think of? After jotting down your ideas, listen to the pod cast.

As a teacher structure is one of the elements that will enhance academic potential regarding student learning. I have put together a podcast that describes three different structures that should be considered as you begin to teach. I invite you to listen to the linked podcast on Building Structures and then share your thoughts, stories or comments about working with middle school students. Each of these structures can be broken down into sections. You as a teacher can choose which of the structures you view as most valuable.

Building Structures: Three Things
1) Rituals, Routines, Rewards, and Consequences
2) Planning Fabulous Lessons
3) Taking care of YOU

As you listen to the podcast I hope you will develop ideas for working with your students to maximize their learning outcomes. Take the attached sheet and brainstorm ideas you have that you consider important. Share these on this blog with one another.

Safety Nets in Middle Schools (click here)

Title:Safety Net Celebrations
Safety nets are any activities that teachers, administrators, or community members engage in that encourage students to increase their content knowledge. Many safety nets exist in the school I have been working in. One safety net was a series called "Saturday School" that focused on preparing students for FCAT. We conducted this safety net for 12 Saturdays. In the eight weeks leading up to our state assessment we met every Saturday from 9-12. On the Saturday before FCAT we took our students to Adventure Landing to celebrate their commitment to increasing their FCAT scores.

Safety Nets: Three Things

1) The activities are as valuable as the relationships

2) Research related to time on task

3) Focus on inter-connections of content and communication

Middle School Students: Three Things (click here - mp4 format)

Title: Middle School Students
Middle School Students are very different from elementary and high school students. They can be quite challenging in a classroom. I have been working with 6th graders through 9th graders for a very long time. Most recently I have been teaching 6th grade math in an inner-city school. As a teacher of middle school students I believe there are three things we should consider when working with middle schoolers.
I invite you to listen to the linked podcast on Middle School Students and then share your thoughts, stories or comments about working with middle school students.
Middle School Students: Three Things
1) Relationship
2) Consistency
3) Relevance