Today we read chapter one. The first two classes seemed very engaged in the story. I saw no students looking around or seeming to be off task. After those two classes though I started to notice the last three being less engaged. The later in the morning it became, the less engaged they seemed to be.
When I noticed one particular class having trouble, I decided to talk to them about it and see if they had suggestions to make the time work better for them. I had a couple suggestions. The first suggestion was to allow them to bring comfort items like blankets. I think this is a great idea, but because of the way summer school is set up (I have 5 different classes twice a day) I don't see where I could have them store (or keep track of) the things. This is a real problem in classrooms where specific subjects are taught and students rotate in and out. The students have very little opportunity to make those rooms feel comfortable.
The second suggestion was allow them to eat. This is interesting on a couple levels. First, the students are receiving free breakfast and lunch during summer school. Second, I never told them they couldn't bring food in and eat it, they apparently made the assumption it wasn't allowed. Again, it is very hard for them to bring things to eat because they have no place to store it (no lockers during summer school.)
Do you have any suggestions that could help me make the students more comfortable and more engaged with reading the book?
What are they reading, William? How was it introduced?
ReplyDeleteThe book is The House of Dies Drear. I didn't really introduce it, I just had them start reading. I explained my thinking in the last post if you would like to check it out. Thanks for the comment, Mark.
DeleteHi William!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all - I think your students are VERY lucky to be working with you ... a teacher who truly loves teaching and learning! After all ... spending your summer in summer school with them is so compassionate and inspiring!
Second, while I am not familiar with the novel, if your first two groups come in and are very engaged with the audio and following along ... the last three groups could be "struggling" for so many reasons. They've already had a couple of classes, I understand, before they come to you. I wonder if providing them with some kind of physical activity prior to beginning the novel study might help to get rid of some of the "wiggles" they might be feeling? A quick game of "kick ball" or some kind of physical movement to boost up their focus and energy might generate greater focus.
I loved the way you took the problem to them by asking what THEY thought might help. Their suggestions would also be a perfect place to start. Storage would definitely be an issue, especially with moving in and out with so many classes, but could they bring their "comfort items" and snacks in a backpack that travels with them to each of their classes?
I know, for me, sitting at a table and chair might be the end of me after a morning of sitting - I even get "wiggly" in staff meetings after teaching all day! What about letting them sit or lay around the room to listen ... finding whatever listening position works best for them? I know I'd be laying on the floor ... and STILL very attentive! (Maybe even MORE attentive than sitting at a chair ... I may TRY this at the NEXT staff meeting! Hee hee hee!)
Just thoughts! Good luck!
Laurie Renton @RentonL
Laurie, thanks for the comment. I will continue to explore the idea of the comfort items. I would hate for the kids to have to tote their stuff around, but I may be able to come up with another solution.
DeleteThe way our summer school is scheduled this year, the kids have ten different classes! There are a couple that allow them to move around (and I don't require them to stay seated.) I think I should write a post explaining my classroom spaces :)
Ready...what did you do to sell it? Did the lights during the intro? Theme music as the book is being passed out? How excited were you??
ReplyDeleteRead it together...take a few pages and make a readers theater out of it..and then send then to the book.
What was different about this class from all the rest? When they waked in did they expect to be amazed? Move that furniture, flip a trash can upside down, put the book on top, grab an old overhead and throw a spot light on it.
Tomorrow is not just any chapter...it is Chapter 2...and they are lucky to be reading it with you...do they feel that?
At the end of the chapter/period you are going to whip out that web cam and they are going to send a video recommending the book (or not) to a wacko bunch of 8th graders in CT who are looking for summer reading...do you know how many kids get to do that? How special...turn that spot light on them as you start class.
How excited are you about tomorrow??
Paul, I didn't do anything to sell it. No spotlights, theme music, nothing. I actually never thought about doing anything like that (where were you yesterday ;) I didn't do anything differently during the five classes. I didn't do anything special either.
DeleteHonestly, I am less excited about reading the book than I am about solving this puzzle. Your comment is making me really wonder why my attention is best spent. You have given me something to think about, thanks.
William,
ReplyDeleteThe kids didn't suggest it, but it will probably help to have some exercise breaks. Just a few moments -- 10 jumping jacks, a little stretching, any movement. My high school students are really able to re-engage after some action and it doesn't disrupt the activity in my experience. I know you allow them to move around, which is great, but this is more focused and the reality is sometimes kids don't really realize they are disengaged until it is called to their attention; plus, having a group activity allows kids who are disengaged, but don't want to be noticed a method to re-focus.
Cheers,
Tim
Thanks Tim, it is such an easy thing to do. The kids are coming from a class where they have the opportunity to move about, but it is definitely worth a shot. There isn't any surprise in the kids getting tired of sitting around and the blush is off the rose a couple hours into the day. I will definitely keep it in mind tomorrow.
DeleteFour corners activities are great warm ups. Pose a proactive question with four responses and have them choose corners and explain their position. I also bring out crayons and give them specific things to create visually in groups. This is also a great way to check understanding.
ReplyDeleteTracy, thanks for the suggestions, I am trying an un-teacher-like experiment. I am not going to do any "learning" activities until after we have read the book! I don't want anything distracting them from the pleasure of reading the book simply for the joy it brings. (I admit that I almost gave one class an activity today, but I held firm.) You can read more about my thought process on the other post.
DeleteWilliam, sorry about my first post. Here is what I should have said. 1) Why are you reading this specific book? Be explicit here. 2) Have you explained these reasons to your students? If not, do so. 3) Do they understand that your primary goal is to have them enjoy the experience? If not, tell them 4) Give them power to dictate some terms in order that your goal of enjoyment can be reached. Trust them to know what they want.
ReplyDeleteProceed from there.
Great point about explaining the point of reading the book. I suspect most of them assume it is because that is what you do in reading class. The reason I am using this particular book is that it was the book I was given for them to read. I didn't pick it (and I wouldn't have if I had the choice.) I was honest with my students about that. I also told them that the plot was very interesting and that the reader of the story is pretty amazing.
DeleteI agree completely they need to have some input into how the experience can get better, unfortunately what they suggested may not be feasible in this particular situation.their is absolutely nothing more frustrating for me right now than not being able to let the students make the classrooms their own. I just haven't figured out how to do that. :(
Thanks for your push. I know I need to continue thinking along these lines.