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Showing posts from June, 2015

End-of-the-year student surveys

Source: http://laketrail.ca/?p=1261 I took the plunge this week and asked my students to complete a survey about our year together. The questions didn't ask for direct feedback about my teaching like some other surveys I've seen. Instead, I asked about specific units and events that happened in our classroom during the year. I wanted feedback, but I wanted safe feedback. Nevertheless, the last question was open-ended; I simply asked if there was anything else they wanted to tell me.  I had already decided not to ask for feedback this year but changed my mind after reading two posts, one by Pernille Ripp and the other by Bill Ferriter, two educators whose opinions and voices I respect. They wrote about the importance of asking students for feedback to help you become a better teacher. Although I know this is true, I wasn't feeling all that safe doing a survey. Why did I think students were going to be negative? I'm not sure, but I know it had to do with how

End of year reflection

It's June 2nd. School ends on June 19th. That's only 17 calendar days away; 13 school days until summer vacation, and, I dread saying goodbye to my students, even though we're all more than ready to leave school behind for fun, lazy summer days. I will miss... greetings in the mornings. unsolicited hugs. my crown and the title of class monarch. I will miss... Socratic Seminars. reading aloud to my students. quick writes. and collaborating with my grade level partner. I will miss... trips to the library. lunchtime conversations. professional talks with colleagues. and my goofy, exasperating, brilliant students. I look forward to... moving from grades 6 and 7 to grade 5. a new group of students. teaching the PYP. ramping up technology in my classroom. keeping my students for the whole day. teaching math and science. and some stability for the next few years. I look forward to... new collegial collaborations. Genius Hour. Mystery Skypes. gl