If you have been reorged and are beginning with a new class, allow me to recommend one of my favourite "start of the year" activities, the I-Poem!
The I-Poem is a fun opportunity for teacher(s) and students to get to know one another, and for the teacher to assess affinities, strengths and gaps in her new class. For example, from today's lesson, I learned a little more about many of my students' family structures and personal interests, as well as some of their fears and anxieties. This will help me to build a safe and effective learning community with my new class in the days/weeks ahead.
The I-Poem is a fun opportunity for teacher(s) and students to get to know one another, and for the teacher to assess affinities, strengths and gaps in her new class. For example, from today's lesson, I learned a little more about many of my students' family structures and personal interests, as well as some of their fears and anxieties. This will help me to build a safe and effective learning community with my new class in the days/weeks ahead.
I could also see right away which students struggle with writing and with following instructions. Having them fill in the blanks to complete this easy-to-format personal "poem" lends itself well to a start-of-year or "new class" anecdotal/observational assessment.
Three of my students also failed to complete and submit the assignment (even after two and a half 40-minute periods to work on it!), so that provided me with a quick assessment for learning skills, which need to be reported on for progress reports in a few short weeks!
I enjoyed getting to know my students a little better as I read their poems after school, and I shared my own poem with them as well, so that they could learn a little more about their new teacher:
Three of my students also failed to complete and submit the assignment (even after two and a half 40-minute periods to work on it!), so that provided me with a quick assessment for learning skills, which need to be reported on for progress reports in a few short weeks!
I enjoyed getting to know my students a little better as I read their poems after school, and I shared my own poem with them as well, so that they could learn a little more about their new teacher:
Vera
Mother of Alex and Simon (and Sneakers!)
Who needs love, sleep and bubble tea
Who loves kindness, the ocean and baroque music
Who sees Toronto sunrises and smells Ms. K’s tasty cooking
Who hates injustice, dishonesty and lack of time
Who fears failure, mediocrity and mean people
Who dreams of successful students, PEI sunsets and reading with Simon and Alex
Resident of Toronto and PEI
Teschow
Mother of Alex and Simon (and Sneakers!)
Who needs love, sleep and bubble tea
Who loves kindness, the ocean and baroque music
Who sees Toronto sunrises and smells Ms. K’s tasty cooking
Who hates injustice, dishonesty and lack of time
Who fears failure, mediocrity and mean people
Who dreams of successful students, PEI sunsets and reading with Simon and Alex
Resident of Toronto and PEI
Teschow
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I have students who dream of becoming professional musicians and olympic skaters. I have students who love their families and who want to visit Mecca. I have students who fear math, death and bullying (not necessarily in that order!)
I have my work cut out for me!
I have my work cut out for me!
If you are beginning with a new class, I encourage you to try I-Poems with your students, Grade 2-10!
| i_poem.docx |
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