Wednesdays are now officially “Data Team” days. We meet in the morning during planning and in the afternoon after school. We have pretty much been discussing tracking of student progress and trying to figure out a model for ELT. The purpose of data team, from what I can gather, is to track the student’s progress in math and see what kind of accommodations they need to receive during ELT. I don’t know if ELT was originally set up this way, but it is basically an extra math period at my school. Even though Reading, and starting this year, science, are a part of the CRCT, math seems to be the main focus at this school, and I am assuming this county.

On a less “red tapeish” note, the students put on skits that they have been preparing to portray amendments 2-6 of the Bill of Rights. They were of course goofy and couldn’t keep from laughing most of the time (I almost couldn’t contain myself at times also), the groups presenting seemed to hit the nail on the head. The group presenting the right to a fair and speedy trial did really well once they got done laughing through the awkwardness of being in front of everyone. Their trail was very speedy, and it ended with the judge asking if the verdict seems fair. If only we got the same treatment for speeding tickets…

We had science centers today to explore microorganisms. Each group seemed to enjoy the station they were at. There were a few technology stations and physical “creating of a cell station” the kids seemed to really enjoy. I think many of them still have trouble associating computers with learning because whenever the kids are using them, they just want to know how they can win…even when there’s no competition. That could be what they are use to at home.

A couple kids who are in my reading group asked if they could read ahead since they finished chapter one and their job last night. I kind of wanted to say no so everyone could stay on the same pace, but in the end I decided it would be worse to stifle their excitement for reading. So, I told them they could read the next two chapters that we would be reading in our next meeting, and they had to bring questions along with them for us to discuss after reading as a group.