...it needs to be urgent EVERY DAY! (more on this in a bit)
This week's Motivation Monday article was "How Does the Brain Learn Best: Smart Studying Strategies". The article discussed how to use modern brain science to improve study habits. I won't bore you with the details, but once again it let to a great discussion in each class. Some of the conclusions surprised us because they go against years of "conventional wisdom". Please read it and discuss how you and your students can use some of the ideas yourself!
Today marks the end of the first quarter (ALREADY?! I know!), and Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences are next week. Suddenly grades will become way more "real" for students and parents. Some will celebrate, some will commiserate. The real question is, regardless of the grade, what to do from here?
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
I have been preaching this from Day One in all of my classes. And let's face it...this is difficult for the typical high school teenager. Because of their stage of brain development, it can be difficult for them to see how today's actions can affect future consequences, both positively and negatively. So it's our job as teachers and parents to help them with that.
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
I would urge all parents and guardians to sit down with their students and decide: What is your idea of success in Physics class? (or any other classes of course. But I will selfishly focus on this one!) Is it a specific letter grade? Is it work completion? Is it some combination? Will it be improvement over time?
It is important to have this conversation as soon as possible so that all of you are on the same page. Too many times I see students who have one expectation for themselves, and parents who have a different, usually higher expectation for them. This can create conflict down the road between parents, students and me.
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
Once you have had this discussion, now what? Once you and/or your student have decided what the definition of success will be for this class, it's time to commit to that level of success every week, every day. How? Check in with your student on a regular basis. Not necessarily every day, but at least weekly. Regularly scheduled check-ins are a good way to do it, that way the student isn't being constantly "nagged", has some freedom to regulate themselves, but also knows when to expect some accountability.
While I have some issues with the constant, live availability of grades online (more about that another time perhaps...or just ask!), one nice thing about it is that, when used properly, it can facilitate communication and accountability between students and parents. Ask them about what's going on in class, about assignments, etc. And don't just ask the "naggy" stuff about missing work, low scores, etc. Ask them what is going on and what they are learning. They may be more willing to share honestly if each school or grade conversation isn't an interrogation.
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
Whatever the definition of success you are using with your student, make sure that they are working and achieving to that level every day, every week. If you or your student have decided that they are an "A" student, then they should be working towards that every single day. Did that last test live up to expectations? If not, they should be getting in to see me right away about a retake. That's right, MR. MASON ALLOWS TEST RETAKES!!! This is often a shock to parents when I talk to them. The policy can be found in my syllabus, and is discussed in detail EVERY SINGLE TIME I HAND BACK A TEST (believe it or not, students claim that they "forgot", or "Mr. Mason never told us".
If you or your student decide a retake is in order, that student should see me right away to set up a re-learning/re-teaching plan. Too many students play "Classroom Accountant". They just assume that the next test will be high enough to raise the overall grade to the desired level. This is a dangerous game to play. Next thing you know it's the end of the semester, and there aren't enough scores to make the average move much. That can lead to disappointment.
More importantly, since my emphasis is on learning physics rather than averaging points and percentages, it is crucial in this class that students understand the material in each unit. Unlike a lot of other subjects, we can't forget material that we just tested over. Each new unit builds on the units before it. It is important to master each one before moving on.
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
Make sure you and your students are thinking like this now to head off problems later. I hope this sparks some productive conversations over the weekend. I look forward to seeing all of you at conferences next Wednesday and Thursday. You are welcome to ask questions and leave comments in the space below, or email or Twitter. Have a great weekend!
This week's Motivation Monday article was "How Does the Brain Learn Best: Smart Studying Strategies". The article discussed how to use modern brain science to improve study habits. I won't bore you with the details, but once again it let to a great discussion in each class. Some of the conclusions surprised us because they go against years of "conventional wisdom". Please read it and discuss how you and your students can use some of the ideas yourself!
Today marks the end of the first quarter (ALREADY?! I know!), and Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences are next week. Suddenly grades will become way more "real" for students and parents. Some will celebrate, some will commiserate. The real question is, regardless of the grade, what to do from here?
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
I have been preaching this from Day One in all of my classes. And let's face it...this is difficult for the typical high school teenager. Because of their stage of brain development, it can be difficult for them to see how today's actions can affect future consequences, both positively and negatively. So it's our job as teachers and parents to help them with that.
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
I would urge all parents and guardians to sit down with their students and decide: What is your idea of success in Physics class? (or any other classes of course. But I will selfishly focus on this one!) Is it a specific letter grade? Is it work completion? Is it some combination? Will it be improvement over time?
It is important to have this conversation as soon as possible so that all of you are on the same page. Too many times I see students who have one expectation for themselves, and parents who have a different, usually higher expectation for them. This can create conflict down the road between parents, students and me.
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
Once you have had this discussion, now what? Once you and/or your student have decided what the definition of success will be for this class, it's time to commit to that level of success every week, every day. How? Check in with your student on a regular basis. Not necessarily every day, but at least weekly. Regularly scheduled check-ins are a good way to do it, that way the student isn't being constantly "nagged", has some freedom to regulate themselves, but also knows when to expect some accountability.
While I have some issues with the constant, live availability of grades online (more about that another time perhaps...or just ask!), one nice thing about it is that, when used properly, it can facilitate communication and accountability between students and parents. Ask them about what's going on in class, about assignments, etc. And don't just ask the "naggy" stuff about missing work, low scores, etc. Ask them what is going on and what they are learning. They may be more willing to share honestly if each school or grade conversation isn't an interrogation.
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
Whatever the definition of success you are using with your student, make sure that they are working and achieving to that level every day, every week. If you or your student have decided that they are an "A" student, then they should be working towards that every single day. Did that last test live up to expectations? If not, they should be getting in to see me right away about a retake. That's right, MR. MASON ALLOWS TEST RETAKES!!! This is often a shock to parents when I talk to them. The policy can be found in my syllabus, and is discussed in detail EVERY SINGLE TIME I HAND BACK A TEST (believe it or not, students claim that they "forgot", or "Mr. Mason never told us".
If you or your student decide a retake is in order, that student should see me right away to set up a re-learning/re-teaching plan. Too many students play "Classroom Accountant". They just assume that the next test will be high enough to raise the overall grade to the desired level. This is a dangerous game to play. Next thing you know it's the end of the semester, and there aren't enough scores to make the average move much. That can lead to disappointment.
More importantly, since my emphasis is on learning physics rather than averaging points and percentages, it is crucial in this class that students understand the material in each unit. Unlike a lot of other subjects, we can't forget material that we just tested over. Each new unit builds on the units before it. It is important to master each one before moving on.
If your grades will be urgent in December, they need to be urgent TODAY.
Make sure you and your students are thinking like this now to head off problems later. I hope this sparks some productive conversations over the weekend. I look forward to seeing all of you at conferences next Wednesday and Thursday. You are welcome to ask questions and leave comments in the space below, or email or Twitter. Have a great weekend!