A New Year means a New Start

Happy Holidays Everyone,

It is getting close to the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015. 2015 will be a big year for my 8th graders. This is the year you will enter high school but before you do we need to prepare you.

If you remember, last week you had a bell ringer asking you to write down your goals for 2015. Several of you wrote that you would like to do better in school. One of my goals for this next semester is to help prepare you for high school and if you are in 7th grade help you become more successful in your own learning.

I have big plans for next semester. Be prepared for a big change in the way I am "teaching."

My personal goal as a teacher for 2015 is to reach EVERY student. By reaching every student, I mean I hope to make sure every student learns the concepts and is not left behind. I want to help you learn how you learn best. This goes along with my change in the way I will be teaching. I understand students learn in different styles and at different paces. I am working on plans to allow each student to work on meeting goals at their own pace but in a certain time frame.

 I was so impressed with my 8th graders' project, I have decided each unit we will have an overall project will take the place of homework. Along with the projects, I will be having ticket out the doors to help me determine the level of understand each student is at.

Since all of you are my focus for 2015, I have a quick survey to help me learn what worked and what did not work for you in first semester. Click here for survey.



I am excited about this new year! I hope this break allows you to come back refreshed and ready to learn.


Have a Fantastic Break,
Mrs. Gilliam

7th and 8th Grade Parents: Why Retest?

A lot of parents and students ask the question "Why do we retest?"

I will start by saying, I have been on the fence with this issue but to me it all comes down to helping the students learn. In this post, I listed the reasons I believe in retesting students.

Reasons for Re-Testing

1. Some students need more time to process information. A retest allows students more time to process. It also allows students to gain further instruction on concepts they may be struggling with.

2. It allows students to learn from their mistakes. As students determine their misconceptions on test "A", synapses are firing causing information to be stored into memory.

     

Great Video on Growth Mindset (I am working on creating a growth mindset classroom.)

3. It allows students a second chance to prove to themselves that they can grow in their ability. It allows for teachers a chance to celebrate the student's successes, no matter how small.

                           

My main goal is to inspire students to get back up again when they have fallen down. 

Have a Wonderful Week,

Mrs. Gilliam