Do you use these? I've been reading about the great ways teachers are doing this with the new technology they have, but unfortunately we are still in the ice age when it comes to tech toys in our classroom. People are using clickers or a website survey to post questions and the kids can respond using their ipads-automatic data-which would be soooo cool; but we are going to have to do it the old-fashioned way for now.
One of our evaluation criteria is to "check for understanding" which I know, as teachers we do all day long. But I think I'm going to need more tangible strategies next year to show the kids are getting it. I did it last year regularly for about a whole week. :) Ok, maybe a little longer than that. It just got to be to time-consuming and when I asked the kids to write/draw what they learned that morning, I would get the answer "reading" or my all-time favorite, they would write something from PE every day (they don't even go to PE every day! :). I need to tie it to specific lessons better. Maybe words that begin with the letter/blend we are reviewing, or draw me an example of an AB pattern. I just hate all those piles of papers that inevitably end up piling up.
I do them at the end of the year as t-shirts and am always fascinated by what the kids remember learning:
I just have to figure out a way to do it more regularly day-to-day. Does anyone do this successfully and have ideas to share? :)
I haven't been using an exit card either, but I'm going to try it this year. I'm afraid my daily one will end up like yours did (reading, pe...). We'll see.
ReplyDeleteLooking at your T-shirt made me think maybe you could do a quilt for each unit. Each child would write what they learned on a sheet of paper and then put all of them together top make a quilt. Just a thought....
Kelly @ I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
Ooh, I like that idea! I think the kids would love that too! :)
ReplyDeleteI use index cards, which I just happen to have a ton of, and have students answer one specific question from something I taught that day. For example, how did the Ancient Romans adapt to their environment? Some days I have them write one new thing they learned that day. Other times, I have them write down a question they still have. By keeping it simple, I can flip through the cards quickly and see where I may need to reteach. Just so you know, I don't use them EVERY day, maybe once a week or so. I also use them during my simple machines unit, asking a deeper thinking question, but one that focuses on the big idea of the lesson, like "Which would take less force to move an object using an inclined plane, (1) short and steep or (2) longer and not steep?" Very quick assessments. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog! I'm now following you! The t-shirt idea is cute! Sometimes we'll line up early when we have to go to Lunch/PE/Specials and I'll do a quick check with my students before we head out... like add/sub flashcards, what's your favorite book, tell me a 3D shape, etc.
ReplyDeleteCyndi
Lacy's Letters
Both really good ideas! Thanks so much for the suggestions! :)
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