Evaluating Project part 2

As we draw our project to a close, we continued to evaluate the end results this week. NCATE indicator 6 on Instructional Strategies was obtained by providing many opportunities for the students to problem-solve together, discover answers, and cooperate. I evaluated this through their work samples and through teacher observations during instruction time. NCATE indicator 7 on Communication was obtained through verbal and nonverbal communication with the students and myself. I evaluated this through my conferences that were held with the students and through observations in the classroom. NCATE indicator 8 on Assessment was evaluted by having the students write about our project in their journal, my teacher conference notes, and anecdotal notes from my observations. NCATE indicator 9 on Technology was obatined by using our projector and ELMO to display student writing and work samples to the class and by having them view our blog each week to see the things that were going on during the project. The students enjoyed hearing some of the comments from other teachers. NCATE indicator 10 on Professionalism was obtained by respecting others during our project. I heard the students addressing each other using respectful tone and phrasing instead of being hateful towards each other. I modeled this behavior for them as well.

My students are not wanting to stop our project. I do believe that we are going to continue this throughout the rest of the school year. It has had such a positive effect on the atmosphere in our classroom. I do think however, that we are going to change up partners for the second semester so that it will be a little different for them. Also, since I will be out on maternity leave from January through the middle of February, it will help the sub by having them be so caring and helpful to each other.

Useful websites:
http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/specconn/main.php?cat=instruction&section=main&subsection=udl/cooperative

http://www.jigsaw.org/

Useful Websites

Here are my two websites for this week:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Team-Building-For-Kids&id=2268690

http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr287.shtml

Evaluating our Project

We spent time this week evaluating our project. The students have really enjoyed this time of working together. I had my doubts at first because I thought that first grade students would not really be able to complete much with this accountability project. Boy, was I wrong!! This group of students really put forth the effort and achieved the end goal.

NCATE indicator 1 goal on Content Knowledge was obtained because as the students began our project, we discussed mentoring and how we could use this in our classroom. The students if asked now about mentoring could talk with you able how to help others and learn from them.
NCATE indicator 2 goal on Human Development was obtained by giving the pair of students plenty of time to explore with mentoring with their partner. I evaluated this by writing days on our calendar and observing them in action. NCATE indicator 3 goal on Diversity was obtained by the diversity of each pair for our mentoring project. The students learned to appreicate others opinions and knowledge. This was evaluated by meeting with the pairs on a weekly basis to see how things were progressing. NCATE indicator 4 goal on Planning was obtained and evaluated through teacher observations. I observed to make sure that each pair was both participating in discussions and not just one dominating partner. NCATE indicator 5 goal on Learning Environment was obtained by giving the students ample time to explore with each other and assist when needed. Even times that were not set aside for our project, the students were still helping their partner.

I will address the other 5 indicators in our final blog for next week. Through the entries in their journals, the students have really enjoyed this project!

Partnerships in the Classroom

This past week has been a busy one with Red Ribbon Week activities and Halloween. Our partners have been busy with helping each other not only with school work but also reminding partners about what they should wear each day for Drug Free week.

Monday was Red Ribbon Day where the students all wore red and received red ribbons to wear. Tuesday was "Sock it to Drugs" where the students could wear silly socks. Wednesday was "It's a Jungle Out There" where the students could wear animal prints or camo to "Hide from Drugs". Thursday was "Teaming up Against Drug" day where the students wore their favorite team colors and we have a school wide Drug Free Pep Rally with the high school band, cheerleaders, and football players. The cheerleaders did cheers about being drug free. The football players spoke to the students about staying drug free and accomplishing their goals. The students really loved this event! And Friday was "Scare Away Drugs" where the students got to wear their costumes for a Costume parade around the school.

Some of our class partners during their free time even discussed what drugs were and what using them could do to them and other. As a look around and observe our accountability partners, I have noticed that it is going beyond school work. I have overheard some pairs discussing manners, ways to respect others, and how to handle problems with others. Maybe this is the beginning of a year full of respect and helping for the rest of the school year! :)

Cooperative Learning Websites

Here are two websites that discuss cooperative learning:

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/intech/cooperativelearning.htm#activities
This website has several different activities to use in the classroom to incorporate cooperative learning among elementary students.

http://www.proteacher.com/cgi-bin/outsidesite.cgi?id=11691&external=http://home.att.net/~clnetwork/clfiles.htm&original=http://www.proteacher.com/020014.shtml&title=Cooperative%20Learning%20File%20Cabinet
This webiste offers a file cabinet of cooperative learning activities. These are GREAT!

Pictures of students working with their partners

Here are a few pictures of my students working with their partners. My students are really enjoying this classroom project. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Teacher websites on Teaching Social Skills and Team Building

Chck out these two websites on teaching social skills and team building for elementary students. They have some useful information.

http://home.att.net/~clnetwork/socialsk.htm

www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001819.shtml

Journal responses from students on project

Here are a few journal responses from the students in my classroom. I am attaching them as a picture. I have not had much luck with attaching videos and pictures so let's see if this is going to work. I hope you enjoy reading these responses!

"Julian is my partner. He hleps my with my boocks. He rimths my to get my homewrck. He hleps my with wors I dat no."

"Maggie is my partner. I do not wont her to cope me. She helps me."

Websites for Teachers

Here are two websites that I have found to be helpful in completing my class project. They both deal with teaching and encouraging teamwork among students.

www.successatschool.attitudemag.com/teachers/teaching-teamwork

www.ehow.com/how_4541700_encourage-team-work-children.html

Let me know what you guys think of these two sites.

Update meetings with partners

I met with each pair yesterday and recorded 2 of them for your review. Please listen to see what the students had to say about our project so far.

Help Frog and Toad!

Check out this webquest which has the central theme of friendship:

http://questgarden.com/54/85/4/070909142257/

Friendship and Loyalty Webquest

Check out this webquest on Friendship and Loyalty.

http://questgarden.com/87/40/5/090926154315/index.htm

Progress on Project

I wanted to give an update on my class project. The children are enjoying our project so much. I have met with each group twice since we started and have only heard positive comments. I have had to correct a few issues within pairs but overall things have been a huge success. The students are starting to ask their partners when they have a problem instead of coming straight to me. I am seeing students taking responsibility for their own work. Their writing has dramatically improved since they have to read and share with their partner. I am totally amazed with how these first graders are responding and improving with this project.

Class Project begins

Well we are off and running with our class project. The students have been paired off with a partner and have already begun assisting each other. The students are sooo excited about this idea of PAWS. We did a writing activity today with the pairs and you would not believe the improvement already from just checking with their partner. They were encouraging one another and sounding words our together. I was impressed to see such great helpers today!! :)

Class Project

Title: PAWS (Partner Accountability with Students)

My students and I are excited about being able to start our class project. My students love the idea of helping each other. My students will be paired off into pairs. Each pair will have daily time to discuss concepts and assist when needed each day. I will meet with the pairs on Fridays to make sure that things are going according to plan. I will keep updating my blog as we go along and share some great things that are going on in my classroom. Stay tuned for the first response once we get started on Monday, September 14th. :)