Student Opinions

The Bloom Balls are officially hanging on display in my classroom which is a #ShiftThis Shift in and of itself as I've never ever hung anything from my ceilings before.   Mad love to my super awesome para for her help and for April (our custodian) for lending a ladder!

It's no secret to anyone that knows me that I value the opinions of others, especially the opinions of my students.    When students walked in today, they were shocked.   They spent time walking around the room looking at each ball, finding their creations, and just spent time completely immersed in the change.  Wow.  WOW.

This is the first time I've ever assigned a Bloom Ball.   It was also a first time for my students.  So... back to opinions...

Here are some (not all... I have videos of other feedback on my Twitter page) of the things my students have shared with me regarding the assignment:

• It was a lot of fun and better than worksheets.
• They liked that they had a choice between working solo or with a partner.
• It helped to see a blank bloom ball assembled.  
• Students loved being able to "bounce around" in regards to sides.
• After learning the hard way, several students noted that a rough draft is necessary.
• Progress chart hanging was super helpful.
• Having a chance to draw/sketch their understanding/comprehension was helpful.
• Even when working solo, students enjoyed checking out the progress of their peers.  
• Students valued conversations with peers.
• Students loved being able to "build" something.
• One student said, "It got my mind going like never before."

Ideas for next time:

• Student choice of the novel (my idea)
• Possibly create with a topic of non-fiction (student idea)
• More "free sides" (student idea)
• A list of 24-36 activities and students choose what they do (student idea)
• Non-Crayola Markers (student idea)
• Circles Pre-Cut (student idea)
• Printed on color paper (my idea)
• Done digitally (student idea... not so sure how I feel about this)

Scholastic Book Fair

Scholastic book fair time!

Find a sale near you!

It's like Christmas... for readers!  

Ok... this kid is straight up awesome!

More Bloom Balls are coming in!

This is the template I used for the Bloom Ball.

And if you go on YouTube there are several links to how to assemble... which is awesome because my students learn visually and all work at a different pace.   This meant that once students were ready to assemble, they could do it and hit "pause" as many times as needed.

Please check my Twitter page to hear/see video of student reflections!  

Bloom Ball!

I am so proud of this student!

He has completed his Bloom Ball and I really enjoyed his feedback on the task.  

The project is not due until Friday.    I have a feeling we'll be doing this again next year.

I can't wait to see their completed works as well as hear their feedback considering this is a total first for me!

Update to last entry

In my last entry I had said the following...

I printed a variety of comics regarding cell phone usage and students were given the

task to analyze each image, describe it, reflect, and share.   Once we are done, we are going to transition into  finding a solution for our phone love without robbing them of their pleasure or education.

Below are the images students had to look at, analyze, describe and reflect on after I modeled the task with a separate image:

Students dove right in!   (Have I ever told you how much I love these kids?)

After completing the writing task students shared books and compared their thoughts.   We then had whole group discussion talking about each image.  

We ended the class talking about what students feel the rule should be regarding phones in our class.   It was pretty much a 100% agreement that phones should be a privilege and not a right.  Most students had said that they feel that they should only receive a consequence if they can not maintain their focus.    All students agreed that taking their phones to the bathroom was gross and kind of dangerous (one slip and a flush...)

We had a really meaningful discussion in all classes and I truly believe the students hadn't noticed how bad their "obsession" was getting.    One student made a VERY valid point in that cell phone rules are confusing because every teacher they have has a different policy.   

Students want to go back to my original rule of not abusing and asking for permission.   They also want to have me to continue to allow charging in class on the counters while students are receiving instruction.   

I'm really proud of the kids.   They took the assignment seriously and it was great hearing different perspectives.   I love listening to their conversations.   I'm nosy like that.    It's important to me that my students have a voice.   It's important to me that they know that I am listening and I do hear them.    

Our Job...

I saw this image floating around the Interwebz and it really made me pause for reflection.   If I had a color printer, I would have printed it out.

I'm 36 years old.   I don't feel "old."  I do not feel "out of touch" with teens today.    For the most part, I feel I understand my students and I feel quite blessed to be their safe adult to speak to (whether literally or in writing).  And... from what they tell me, I do and I am.

Right now, one of my biggest struggles with my students is technology.   I don't know what the criteria would be for a technology addiction but we definitely have an issue with phones.   At the start of the school year, I announced that I am not going to make them check on their phones.    I didn't feel comfortable doing that.   To me, it sent a message of, "Welcome to class, I don't trust you to stay focused, give me your phone."    That is just how I felt at that time.  Again, how I felt.  Me.  My perception.  

Plus, I was hearing from colleagues that phone collection was a waste because there were kids out there turning in dummy phones while still keeping their actual activated phone.    I wanted my students to learn the appropriate time to use their phones and to use their phones not just for entertainment but for education.    Right now the game Fortnight (spelling?) is taking over teens by storm as well as a game called Pub-G.    I've had to really buckle down on phone use and I hate it.    So upon further reflection and pondering of how to handle this love of the phones.... I decided I'm not going to solve this problem.    The kids are.    

Yep, you heard me.

I'm not going to solve this problem.    The kids are.  I printed a variety of comics regarding cell phone usage and students are going to be given the task to analyze each image, describe it, reflect, and share.   Once we are done, we are going to transition into finding a solution for our phone love without robbing them of their pleasure or education.

I'm curious as to how this will go.   I'll post updates later.

My point of this entry is that sometimes the way you used to do things isn't what the students need.  You need to meet your students where they are.   You need to include them.   If there is a problem, seriously, help/allow them be a part of the solution.   Me barking at them about how things were when I was a kid will do nothing.    Let them have a voice.