John Gaspari
Forum Replies Created
-
How do you embed the day 3 video into Knowledgehook? I can’t find the embed code. Just watched your Knowledgehook webinar from last summer and I’m giving it a try. I tried running an activity in Desmos and now I want to compare it to Knowledgehook.
-
I have tried Desmos with my grade 6 class and I liked how I could control the pace of the lesson and interject as needed. It did take a little bit of practice getting used to the controls but the kids enjoyed it and there was a lot more learning because they did not race through the activity. Since Desmos is focused on intermediate grades and high school there is not much for grade 6 but I see that grade 6 lessons are coming. Can wait!
-
I do agree with raising hands not always being beneficial. I am careful with when I use hand raising and ask my students to put their raised thumb to their chest to give the rest of the class time to think and get to an answer. After watching this video, I realize that there are times though when intent of my asking questions does not achieve the desired results. I do find that the best formative assessment is when students are actively working in random groups on vertical non-permanent surfaces on low-floor, high-ceiling tasks. Students share so much more of their thinking in their small groups, whether they are an introvert or extrovert.
-
I have to agree that stating the learning goal at the start of a lesson certainly reduces the curiosity in the lesson right from the start, especially when beginning with a Notice and Wonder. Depending on the lesson, I find that I share the learning goal at different times during the lesson because I want students to problem solve in whatever way think best and not have the learning goal lead them in a certain direction. This way they can struggle and make mistakes, and the learning goal will make even more sense.
I have not tried but do want to try exit tickets with legs.
-
I feel that the safe classroom culture that I have instituted since the start of the year is really paying dividends now that we are in the latter part of the year. Students are always excited to see what random group they will be in each day. Student discussion is immediate when they get into their groups. They are respectful of each others’ thoughts and ideas. There is much to be learned about the importance of psychological safety in groups.
-
I have always pride myself in the Growth Mindset culture of my class and am always looking to improve my teaching so that my actions do not imply fixed mindset. I have read Carol Dweck’s book and am a big fan of Jo Boaler and her Youcubed website. I have played Kahoot on occasion on a Friday afternoon or before a holiday as a treat. Like you said, it rewards speed. My winner is always the fastest to the answer. Fortunately, I have never taken the time to take content that my students are studying to create a Kahoot and when we play it is random topics that my students are interested in. I will try Knowledgehook Gameshow without a time limit next time students are asking to play a game.
-
I am looking for some suggestions how to implement new methods of assessment and the tracking of it in an organized way mid-year. I am feeling overwhelmed with what do use to organize formative assessment and how time consuming I anticipate it will be to set it up.
-
Thanks Kyle!
-
I agree with you Lara, EQAO was a big time waster. This year will be the second year without the EQAO test and no time spent prepping for the test. It never served a purpose in formative assessment. I was tired of finishing a unit/chapter (silo) of study and then giving students practice EQAO questions, only to model the different levels of how to answer the questions. Grade 6 is an awesome curriculum to teach but EQAO at the end of the year puts a real damper on it.
