The Buzz of Teaching

I've been in my newest temporary space for about two weeks and it's finally starting to feel more normal, but word is that our actual classrooms will be finished this week so I'll be spending my MEA break moving in to my actual classroom.  It's funny how much your own materials matter. Like, I didn't know how important and how frequently I used my old, beat-up podium until I didn't have it. One day a friend, Vanessa, found it in a closet?? I don't know why it was there, but I was happy to see it. I brought it into my classroom and it's like everything was a little bit better. Then my stool appeared. Wow - what a difference. My students seem to be ambivalent about our temporary space. They see it and my class as just another room on their schedule, so I'm excited to get into my actual classroom and show them what a comfortable, calm, and decorated classroom should feel like.  I am extremely proud of my classroom environment, so being stuck ...

I have my collection tools made and I have begun taking the time to record data throughout the day. I've found that it's difficult to find the time to immediately record data while I'm in the moment, so I've been struggling with remember a lot of details about everything because my collection is happening later in the day, once I have finished my work. I have noticed I am thinking more about community, and trying harder to make conversation with all of my students. It's easiest to do this with my 9th graders, because they seem to always be looking for approval from adults. My 10th graders are snarky and acting like 10th graders so my conversations feel more superficial with some of them because they have that 10th grade wall up. My 11th graders are interesting because this is the second year we have together (they have me for both honors LA 10 and AP Lang). So my initial thoughts are always "oh, we're good. We've known each other for over a year...

My Action Research is about creating a stronger classroom community. Here's what I've got so far: I plan on triangulating my data with the following three Action Research Tools Anecdotal Reflections I plan on reflecting each day on the community in my classroom. Student Interviews I'll interview one student from each class, once per week to help me get an inside look at how my students feel about our classroom. Engagement Survey When my class is doing a community-building activity, I will do a quick check on their engagement and use those observations to brainstorm why some students may be more or less engaged than others.