https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o Made with a quick smile en-us 2017-10-01 06:35:18 UTC 2017-10-03 01:03:26 UTC hello@padlet.com robinmallery https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o/wish/192728834 TEACHER INTERVIEW:
ASSIGNMENT 1:

Teacher:  Jodi Storey

6th grade Math Intervention (1 class below grade level & 1 advanced math), Social Studies & ELL hybrid SS class.

Sevilla West School (4th-8th grade school), Alhambra Elementary School District, Phoenix, Arizona.

Phone interview

MY 5 Questions:  
A. How do you organize your classroom when it comes to seating of students?

B. What reward system do you use with your students?

C. How do you improve “time on task”?

D. What do you do for stress management for yourself?

E. How do you handle discipline in your classroom?


MRS. STOREY'S Answers:

a. Mrs. Storey actually got rid of regular classroom desks and replaced them with square tables.  Each table is set up so that when facing the front of the classroom the table square looks like a diamond shape so that no one actually has their full back to the front of the room.  There are four students at each table, one on each side of the square.  Written in sharpie pen directly on the table are numbers one thru four so each student knows there number.
All number fours are her highest learners and therefore face front the least.  Where her number ones are her lowest learners and face front the most.  During partner work she makes sure to NOT partner her lowest learner with her highest learner because she says that creates frustration for both.  The high learner gets inpatient and annoyed with the slower learners.  While the slow learners get frustrated that they are behind the higher learners.  To help keep students accountable she will give “numbers” a job.  For example she will say, “even numbers you start the discussion by asking a question, odd numbers you provide the answer.”  Another classroom configuration she likes when desks are involved is when the desks are shaped like a giant “U” facing the front.  This configuration allows for all students to be facing forward while the teacher can easily walk around and get to all students quickly and easily.

b.  “Sevilla Bucks” is the schools reward system for good behavior.  Mrs. Storey mentioned that she does not like “rewarding” her kids for what they are already suppose to be doing, so in order to get these “bucks” they must really go above and beyond.  She believes reward can be very limited if you have a good relationship with your students you don’t need “rewards” as much.  She does however use raffle tickets in a raffle box and twice a quarter will choose five  tickets out and those “winners” will get to pick a prize from the prize box.  This is not often so it does not take much time out of class.  The sixth grade team has behavior cards that monitor daily actions and if they earn 80% of “good behavior” for the quarter then the entire 6th grade class that  earns 80% will earn a big reward together such as “Nachos & Movie Day”.  This happens in a special room with two of the 6th grade teachers while those who did not earn this reward continue the school day as usual with the remaining 6th grade teaching team.  For the daily behavior cards she will use stickers once a week or draw simple smiley faces for good behavior or use a “good” stamp.  Lastly once a week students vote on “Student of The Week”.  This is an honor and that is the reward in itself, but the honoree also gets a certificate to take home and a pencil.  

c.  To improve “time on task”, her answer is “BE READY & BE PREPARED, AND KNOW YOUR MATERIAL!”  Kids are master manipulators, if they can get you off task they will.  Kids would much rather listen to you tell stories than do work, so don’t let that happen.  Accountability is a way to help curb “goofing off behavior”.  First give them a problem to solve and then let them know they may be called on to answer so they are held accountable to actually “do it”.  Walking around to check if they are working is also a way to hold them accountable.  “Power of the Sticks”, is where she pulls a popsicle stick from a jar that has a table number and seat number on it and then that person at that table must give the answer.  This gives all students a sense of “I better know the answer in case she calls on me”.  The number one thing Mrs. Storey said that was key to everything is “Build a Relationship” with the students.  This will create respect both ways and they students will want to do well for you. Don’t assign them tasks that you won’t be giving them feedback on or checking for accountability.  This makes them think they don’t need to do the work because you won’t be grading or checking it anyway.  Keep the on task by letting them know it will be checked minimum if not graded.  Even if the feedback or checking is just discussing with a partner, make sure each partner has a “job” and so one person isn’t doing all the work.

d. Mrs. Storey is a social person and she uses visiting with co-workers during her school day to de-stress.  Having your co-workers as friends and being able to spend even a twenty minute lunch break to discuss anything but school or students helps give her a needed “break” during her day.  If she is having a really hard day sometimes talking with another teacher about the problem at school and using them as a sounding board helps also.  Her tip was never give up your lunch time, you need a break from the kids and they also need a break from you.  Don’t use your lunch break to hold lunch detention, you need some your own break time.

e. The entire 6th grade team uses SWAG Behavior Cards for a two week period of behavior.  These cards have a positive column and a negative column for daily behaviors.  This is again where she uses her stickers and good stamps to quickly and easily mark if a student is behaving appropriately.  Students with negative marks must have their cards signed at the end of the week by parents.  The five rules in the Negative Column if they don’t follow are:
KEEP HANDS, FEET AND OBJECTS TO YOURSELF, BE PREPARED, APPROPRIATE ACTIONS & WORDS, RESPECT PEOPLE & PROPERTY, BE DESIGNATED PLACES AT DESIGNATED TIMES.  The positive column is marked for:
KIND, RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, PREPARED.  The consequences of these cards are daily if they earn a bad check mark or two it is a warning.  Three bad checks in the negative column equals after school detention.  Four negative checks is up to teacher discretion as to if it is a parent teacher conference, in school detention, out of school detention or a referral to office administration where administration chooses the consequence.  If students have zero negative checks for the day then they earn their “SWAG” for the day (Students Will Achieve Greatness) and at the end of the quarter if the earned SWAG 80% of the quarter they are rewarded with the BIG Group Reward of in school field trip, dance party or this month is Nachos & a Movie.  Again she mentions it goes back to building relationships and mutual respect so the discipline is less of an issue.]]> 2017-10-01 06:37:00 UTC https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o/wish/192728834 robinmallery https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o/wish/192729240 I am excited to finally be working on becoming a certified teacher after "thinking" about it for several years!]]> 2017-10-01 06:44:57 UTC https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o/wish/192729240 robinmallery https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o/wish/192729266 I have identical twin daughters that are in 3rd grade and a 12 year old son who is in 7th grade. They are a big reason why I wanted to get into education! ]]> 2017-10-01 06:45:37 UTC https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o/wish/192729266 robinmallery https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o/wish/192729289 I have to admit I am very nervous about all the technology involved with Rio Salado and becoming a teacher. I really hope I "get it" all and can keep up. It seems everything is technology these days and that is NOT my happy place.]]> 2017-10-01 06:46:29 UTC https://padlet.com/robinmallery/l73jie3jm16o/wish/192729289