How do you have time for all of this? That is question that most educators ask me when we discuss doing meaningful, engaging activities for students - on a regular basis. This could be taken in one of two ways: 1) how do you have time to plan and organize all of these activities for your students? and 2) how do you have time to complete the curriculum? I don't do any of these things and I barely finish!
My response, how do you not find the time to engage your students? Let's be honest, my class sizes are in the 30s and I teach at a very large public high school. Due to the time I spend on non-lecture lessons, some teachers assume I teach at a small private school with very well-behaved students that walk in single file lines during class change. Nope, just an average teacher here with normal high school students. And some days (like today), I just want to have a little fun with the kiddos. So I took some precious time out of my curriculum and we did a fun St. Patrick's Day Breakout. Why? It's one of my favorite holidays and time is not my enemy! Because I did not create this Breakout, I cannot share it with you - but it's posted on their website 😊
If you're interested in my 2¢ response to questions 1) and 2), keep reading...
1) I spend every second of my planning actually planning. I do not run to Subway, read books, hang in the lounge, gossip, etc. I actually work during my lunch too - I know, it's sad. But I truly love what I do and I believe it's so important for math teachers to keep class interesting, especially at this age-level. Therefore, I take the time to search for and plan fun, meaningful activities. Well, today's activity was more fun than meaningful, but hey!
2) Keeping students interested in class keeps them involved in class. My year-end test scores (isn't that what's it's all about?) are pretty good in the area of growth. I firmly believe this is because students continue to try and do not give up - they do not become disengaged with me. If doing little 10-minute activities regularly accomplishes this, then we should all be giving it a try!
~SSB
My response, how do you not find the time to engage your students? Let's be honest, my class sizes are in the 30s and I teach at a very large public high school. Due to the time I spend on non-lecture lessons, some teachers assume I teach at a small private school with very well-behaved students that walk in single file lines during class change. Nope, just an average teacher here with normal high school students. And some days (like today), I just want to have a little fun with the kiddos. So I took some precious time out of my curriculum and we did a fun St. Patrick's Day Breakout. Why? It's one of my favorite holidays and time is not my enemy! Because I did not create this Breakout, I cannot share it with you - but it's posted on their website 😊If you're interested in my 2¢ response to questions 1) and 2), keep reading...
1) I spend every second of my planning actually planning. I do not run to Subway, read books, hang in the lounge, gossip, etc. I actually work during my lunch too - I know, it's sad. But I truly love what I do and I believe it's so important for math teachers to keep class interesting, especially at this age-level. Therefore, I take the time to search for and plan fun, meaningful activities. Well, today's activity was more fun than meaningful, but hey!
2) Keeping students interested in class keeps them involved in class. My year-end test scores (isn't that what's it's all about?) are pretty good in the area of growth. I firmly believe this is because students continue to try and do not give up - they do not become disengaged with me. If doing little 10-minute activities regularly accomplishes this, then we should all be giving it a try!
~SSB
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