My experience creating a GAME plan has helped me understand the need for my students to develop action plans as well. Not only did I begin experimenting with blogging for our district, my students began using it as well. My goal now is to introduce the NETS-S standards to my students and take some time to learn about each one and what they mean. A good way for me to do this with my fourth graders is to first put them in “kid friendly” terms. Since my class enjoys using online thesauruses, I may give different groups an individual goal to rewrite using words they know and understand. Each group would then be responsible for “teaching” their classmates about that particular standard.
Once the students were familiar with the standards, I would introduce them to the concept of a GAME plan by working through it step-by-step. One day I would introduce the G: goal and show them what my original goal was. Students would then select a goal from the NETS-S that they would like to improve. The next step will be for them to determine how they will go about achieving this goal. To do that, I would have them work in small groups based on their particular goals. Students could then collaborate different strategies how to meet their individual goals. Recording the steps involved in the process would be done using Word so it could be uploaded to our class website or our class blog.
The next step involves having students monitor their progress. It was very helpful for me to have a timeline in which to accomplish my plan and believe it would be beneficial for my students as well. Therefore, every Friday during their center time, students will need to post on their blog what steps they’ve taken towards meeting their NETS-S goal. After six to eight weeks, the students will submit an evaluation of what they accomplished and what they have gained from using the GAME plan. Ideally, it would be nice for the students to develop a GAME plan for the first, second and third trimesters like they do for their other subjects. Their final work would be great to show parents during spring parent/teacher conferences.
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteI like your common sense approach. Teaching students how to do something, especially when the something is new, is crucial to success. I had to work with my students at the start of the year what I meant by working quietly. Previous teachers had a different definition than I when it came to the word quiet. Just as setting a goal or monitoring progress, these things have to be taught to students. Secondly, having your students or yourself put the words in “kid friendly” language is crucial. So often I talk to my students about using grade 7 language (or grade 7 speak). So much of the information a student comes across needs to be pulled apart so they can make sense of it. By doing this, it will also get them going on the other task of learning what it means to set a goal or evaluate what they have done. I believe you are on the correct path to student success.
Russ
I love that you are having your students learn about the standards. I think there is so much power in teaching kids about what they need to learn and why. I have made it a point this year to inform my students why each activity we do is important and what standard it is addressing. It seems to give them more focus and a greater purpose to what we are doing, other than just another activity.
ReplyDeleteHaving your students put each standard into kid friendly language is such a great idea. Not only will it help with their own understanding of the standard they are rewriting, but it will help the other students learn more about it as well. I also like your idea of working with them in groups based on what standard they chose. You are right, the collaboration will help them think of different ways for them to meet their goals.
Teaching your students this process is going to be so great for them!