https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding Made with joy en-us 2016-11-20 14:58:48 UTC 2016-11-26 21:08:35 UTC hello@padlet.com tara_coppolo https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/138936931 On page 21 time management is discussed. Although I marked it as important, I also could mark it as BK. Teaching fifth grade I understand all that my students are involved in, from activities in school like band, chorus, orchestra, OM, etc. to activities outside of school like sports, dance, Boy Scouts, or Girl Scouts. It was mentioned to give out homework passes if you know that a student has a lot going on. I 100% believe in homework passes, but I hand them out a little differently. For every 10 days of homework that a student completes, they receive a homework pass from me. Also, if at the end of the month a student has completed all of their homework, or missed one assignment, I award them with another. The students feel good about earning them and then they have them to use at different times. I always explain a few times throughout the year to try to keep one or two in case of emergencies, like an unexpected event, or if they forget their homework in school. Some students still use them as soon as they get them, while others hoard them until the end of the year to use as the weather is getting nicer and school is wrapping up.

Another way of helping students not feel so stressed over their time is I always give them an extra day if their homework isn't completed. For example, if an assignment is due on Tuesday and a student doesn't have it, I give them until Wednesday to turn it in, otherwise they owe me recess time. They will not receive credit for their homework pass, but they know that they still get their recess as long as they turn it in the following day. This has helped a lot with homework completion.]]> 2016-11-20 15:21:39 UTC https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/138936931 tara_coppolo https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/138938286 I have always had mixed feelings on looping with my class. There have been years when I feel as if I would love to continue on with a particular group to continue to see them grow, but then other years the idea hasn't been as exciting. When I was younger, like most kids, I would get super excited about seeing who my new teacher was going to be. There were some years that I wished that I could have the same teacher year after year. I'm not quite sure if looping would be beneficial for all, but I think with the right students and teachers, it could be wonderful.

Continuing on with the conversation of grouping students in different grade level, my question is, in our world today, where everything is driven by standards, which standards would you focus on in a mixed 3/4 class, or a mixed 5/6 class? Since we're required to give state tests, which test would they take? ]]> 2016-11-20 15:40:00 UTC https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/138938286 tara_coppolo https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/138939153 I found the section on retention extremely interesting. I retained a student my very first year teaching and I remember what a hard decision it was for me. One of my colleagues who also served as my mentor in many ways said, "Think if another year will benefit the child. If your answer is yes, retention is your best option, if your answer is no, it's not." I have always believed that it is better to retain at an early age as is mentioned in the book. I also agree that you need to consider more than just academics. The child who I ended up retaining was much less mature than the others in class, he had started school at an early age so was younger than the others as well, and academically he was struggling. Looking back, I feel as if his mom and I made the best decision for him.]]> 2016-11-20 15:51:47 UTC https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/138939153 https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/139987641 When reading the rest of the book, I couldn't help but focus on my own children. We'll start with my 4 year old Lucy. I agreed with much of what was said for a 4 year old, and it made me feel better about a few things. I totally agreed with short attention spans at this age. She works a lot in center stations at daycare and loves it. I also agree that they learn through play. One of her favorite activities is when she's at the texture table. They study liquids, solids, and oobleck that goes through both states. She is always also on the go, so I felt better knowing that many 4 year olds are like that. I feel as if my older daughter wasn't so busy at that age. I also felt better knowing that they have nightmares at this age. Lucy does, probably at least once a month where she'll come wake me up. I worried a little, but now I won't as much. Finally, I couldn't agree more with how 4 year old's love being read to, and tend to roughhouse a bit. Lucy loves books, but she also loves showing us her ninja moves.]]> 2016-11-26 20:58:30 UTC https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/139987641 https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/139987845 I agreed with some of what was shared for a 7 year old. Averie does like confined spaces. She tends to like to pull the blanket down from the top bunk to give her a safe little enclosure around her bed, the other side is against the wall. She is also very sensitive, moody, doesn't like taking risks, loves to write notes, enjoys games, and likes being read to. This last one bothers me a bit, because when I ask her to read to me, or read independently, she doesn't want to, even though she's a great reader. If I tell her I'm going to read to her, she can't get to the couch quick enough.

There were more ideas that I disagreed with here than for my 4 year old. I didn't agree with much of what was under the classroom section, but I don't always see her in this setting. I also can't say that she's getting neater or listening better. This is something that we have been focusing on.]]> 2016-11-26 21:03:42 UTC https://padlet.com/tara_coppolo/Yardstickscoding/wish/139987845