In Their Face! :)

As soon as my students walk in my door they see the business. What’s the business? The business is everything that is vital for them to be successful.  In the above picture students see the following:

BLOOMS:  My students know that the lower level of blooms is their foundation.  In others words, remembering and understanding is all good, however what makes a foundation become a home is when we can add walls, widows, a roof, door, etc., with the ability to apply, evaluate, and create.  Enough said. You can have all the knowledge in the world but if you do not know how to apply it tough luck. #yeahisaidit

Self-Questioning & Self-Monitoring: These questions serve as a guide for not only my students but for myself as well. Yes, I said myself. There have been times when I had to restructure a lesson because it was not flowing as I intended.  Hey, stuff happens.  These questions play an essential role in my students learning and their success in the classroom. I just recently made them in to cards and have placed them on each desk in the classroom so it really is in their face. No excuses. 

Self­questioning

Is my solution strategy working?

Is there another strategy I can try?

Does my answer make sense?

Self­monitoring

Have I seen a problem like this before?

Could I draw a diagram to helpsolve it?

Am I checking my work?

Target:  In my class I set clear targets regarding the desired outcomes from each lesson.  Targets are set at 80% or higher.  Yes, not all students can perform at that level however if they aim for it they will get close and deliver their best. 

Grading Scale: When I grade papers I do not put a letter grade, I simply write the percentage.  Often students see a “C” and think they are fine.  I explain to my students that 75% is a "C" but it is also one point from a “D.”  In other words, they should not feel safe with a "C.”  In my class we set a goal of 80% or higher. No excuses. 

State Testing:  I display state testing categories and their meaning so that students are aware of what their score says about them.  Yes, THEM.  I also connect this to BLOOMs by explaining to my students that the difference between that Unsat, Approaching Basic, Basic, Mastery, and Advanced is if they are implementing BLOOMS at all and the level of which they are implementing BLOOMS.