What to do when you have a bad day...keep on going..

WHAT AM I DOING TO HELP KIDS ACHIEVE?

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN THEY ARE THERE?

WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE?

     So we got slammed with crazy schedules, PARCC testing and in the middle of this, good weather and stoichiometry.  Needless to say, the stoichiometry test went terrible.  So what do you do when most people bomb the test?  First, I could look for excuses but instead I went back and said, "O.K....look at these, try to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it as well as what you would do differently next time."  Most kids told me they did not study.  Summer fever is hitting early...

     I think an important part of having bad days is to try to make the next day better.  We were starting acid base chemistry.  Before I did anything, I went back to what I know works...formative assessment.  We did a quick 5 minute survey in which students were given some solutions and told to tell me if they are acidic, basic or neutral.  They did not have to put their name on it.  The good news is that I got some pretty valuable information.  Despite what they may or may not have had in the past, they are starting at ground zero when it comes to acid base chemistry.  I learned a lesson.  When in doubt, do what the research says works...

Hits and Misses.....

WHAT AM I DOING TO HELP KIDS ACHIEVE?

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN THEY ARE THERE?

WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE?

     When I started this blog,one of my number one rules was..stay positive.  There is too much negativity in the world and in education.  It is certainly o.k. to vent...sometimes it is healthy.   However, it does not help kids.  The end of the year crunch has been worse than in recent years.  SLO's and PARCC testing put a new wrinkle on things.  I can (and have) complain about these but it won't do much good.  Instead, I keep telling myself, "What can I do under these circumstances to deliver a quality education to the kids when they walk in the door?"

     Here is the goal....a blended classroom.  If things are going to be so crazy with the schedules and testing, I have to ask myself, can I still deliver an education with the use of technology?  Is it ideal?  No.  Is it better than the alternative?  Probably.  I think I just found my summer project.....