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Creating a highly engaging classroom. Tabletop Learning. HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WORK Thursday, July 21, 2011 Delta Island B / Cheekwood F 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. / 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. W. Glenn Walker, M. Ed. Secondary Mathematics. Opener # 1.
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Creating a highly engaging classroom Tabletop Learning HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WORK Thursday, July 21, 2011 Delta Island B / Cheekwood F 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. / 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. W. Glenn Walker, M. Ed. Secondary Mathematics
Opener # 1 With three days left on your vacation, your boss’ number shows up on your phone. Do you answer? Why or why not?
Opener # 2 A company offers you the twice the value of your home, which has been in the family for over 100 years. Do you sell or not? Explain.
Opener Topics • Questions of Ethics & Character • Puzzles • Unique Math Problems • Who-Dunits • Reading Articles (Holidays, Mathematicians) • Drawings & Art (Rube Goldberg, Escher) • Relationship Issues • Script Writing & Acting Scenes • Reflections on Progress
Opener Philosophy • “Think like a (an) ____ th grader.” • Character Education – at least 10 minutes per day dictated by Act 95-313 • “Scruples” board game – great source • Gets the blocked started with engagement, sometimes quite intense! • Makes kids “think outside the box.” • Requires vocal presentation to class. • Keeps ‘em guessing – what’s next?
Opener Resources From Sterling Publishing Company… • “Great Book of Whodunit Puzzles,” Falcon Travis, 1993, ISBN 0-8069-0348-1 • “Brain Strains: Power Puzzles,” Coussement, et. al., 2002, ISBN 1-4027-0194-2 • “Pencil Puzzlers,” Steve Ryan, 1992, ISBN 0-8069-8542-9
The Classroom Layout Objectives Chalk Board Daily Agenda Promethean Board
Seating Assignments • First 2-3 days, students choose table &seat. • Then comes the SEATING CHART, adjusted for minimum disruption and maximum engagement. • Fill in names on blank seating chart as roll is called – got’cha! • Adjusted as attitudes & grades dictate. • Consider shuffle at midterm.
Questioning • Socratic Method: One response at a time, then next response; no debating; no arguments; additional questions follow… • By Table • By Student (Index Cards) • By Re-Direct • By Research
Participation Points Tiera W. IIII III 15+ 100 5-9 80 10-14 90 0-4 70
The Inviting Classroom • Clean & Orderly • Organized • Paint Scheme • Green Plants • Kleenex / Hand Sanitizer • School News Articles • Music for the Mood of the Day • Air Temperature • Deodorizer
The Curiosity Classroom • The Gizmos • Dangling Items • Wall Posters • Teasers • Math History • Costume • Previous Student Work Displayed • Manipulatives on Tables • Scene on Screen
The High Expectations Classroom • Agendas • Objectives • Previous Classwork / Homework Noted • Make-Up Work Binder / Folder • Protocol & Procedures • Restroom Pass Log • Wall of Fame • First Day Material (Expectations, Consequences, Path in Math, Path to Future, Character Study, My Philosophy…)
My Story • Background • Education • Career • Why I Teach • Why I am Here Today in This Room • Why are You Here?
Start with the Application • Determine the size of the lighthouse.
Student Assessments • Classwork & Homework (graded or filed in notebook for later grade) • Notebooks (5 sections, organizational & note-taking skills, college prep) • Exams (NO Multiple Choice except Midterm & Final Exam) • Projects (Group & Individual) • Presentations • Interviews
Table Advantages • Peer Tutoring • Working with Others (like real job) • Group draws on each member’s strengths • Teacher transitions to Consultant • Helps lower achieving students complete work & be useful • Ownership of Solution • Natural Competition among tables • Increases engagement and LEARNING!
Table Disadvantages • Noisier • Must watch for students sponging off group • Easier to copy others’ work (shows up during exam time; red flag to consult with student) • Multiple exams required during testing • Inappropriate touching • Bookbags & Belongings clutter
Motivational Quips • Give Me (Three) Claps! • A Round of Applause • A Big Hand • A Standing Ovation • Two-Minute Warning • Student of the Month • Attend students’ events outside classroom • “Teach Me, I Want to Learn!”
Teaching as a Calling • Teaching is a Gift from God • Teaching Career is a Calling • Students are Children of God • Students are Worthy of our Best Work • You have to Love the students • Believe that with God’s help, you can make a difference in the lives of our students. • Start each day with prayer.
Success Lessons Learned • Be a reflexive teacher. • Be willing to learn new things. • It won’t work if you don’t try it. • Make parents your friends. • Catch failures early. • Set high expectation with a way to get there. • Grade with compassion not intimidation. • Treat students how you would want to be treated as a student.
Success Lessons Learned • Model the best of your favorite teachers. • Be consistent…and fair to all. • Never lose your temper. • Expect to adapt your lesson plan. • It’s okay to relax on special days. • Good Humor works. • Graphic Organizers are great! • Variety is the spice of engagement.
Success Lessons Learned • It’s more important to have students really learn what you’ve taught than to just get through the Course of Study. • Don’t just teach “The Test.” • Circulate – don’t stagnate. • Value student feedback & change as needed • Teacher Report Card • Preparation! Preparation! Preparation!
Have a Productive Year! W. Glenn Walker, M. Ed. Secondary Mathematics Dallas County Schools (Alabama) walkerg@dallask12.org 2007-08 Jacksonville State Teacher Hall of Fame Finalist 2006 Christian Educators Association International’s National Teacher of the Year 2001 Dallas County Teacher of the Year