 Weird Teaching Ideas!
Just a collection of ideas that may not fit in the normal thinking of all teachers.
Teaching DNA extraction to teachers!
1. Big projects with no grades- I have watched students at all levels from preschool to college get excited about a project because of what it was not for a grade. I have done Carnegie Learning math projects, alien fever, and Lego Robotics and just watched kids work because they were excited and interested. Maybe if we generate exciting relevant experiences the kids will learn because of the "Joy of Learning!" I know, but remember this is called "weird teaching ideas."
2. Teachers sharing exciting ideas with other teachers and parents- At an International Biotechnology Education Institute I learned about Robotics from other teachers and helped, in a small way, teach others how to do Cheek cell extraction of DNA. Done right this experience can be uplifting. I love the energy of presenting to other teachers, even if my friends tell me I'm like the "Energizer Bunny!" I even had a teacher that has been to one of my presentations for 5 years in a row now. I do change the material but still I had to ask "Why?" His answer was "I come every year for my recharge. I figure if you still have the energy I can keep going too." That comment helped me during down days.
3. Student Self Evaluations- At the end of the nine weeks before I do grades I have the students average their grades and word process a self evaluation. This is their input into their grade and a way of them talking to me before I do grades. It must be signed by home to count. I use this input to adjust grades by 0-3 points depending on the honesty and what they can document.
4. Never "Grade Kill" a student the first semester (nine weeks if your are on Semester block)!- If 70 is passing never give a student below 50 he first grading period. All this does is take away any chance of the student passing the class. Think- If a kid gets a 40 or below even a 100 can not save them! This student will be nothing but trouble next grading period because you killed any hope of passing! BUT- If that same student gets a 60 they still "fail" but they have a hope that with hard work they can earn an 80, do well on the exam and pass your class.
5. Variable work for different students- I do not mean to "dummy down" the curriculum but instead raise it up for the top students. If the work comes easy to a student give them more responsibilities. Helping others improve, special research they want to know about, or expanded content. Make an A mean "excellence" for that individual student not compared to a class average student.
6. Success over state testing- A teachers must face the fact that students get only a fraction of what material is covered. So, that leaves a few options we must think about.
a. Teach to the test the whole time. Dumb-Stupid-NO-No! Even if the kids retain 50% of what you teach you set them up to fail.
b. Teach to the test, repeat, repeat and repeat at least three times every concept. This way you may have to teach faster but if they catch 30% each time you have a chance for getting 70-80% on the repeats. This can get boring if your do not mix up the teaching and review methods. So mix up you teaching ideas.
c. Teach above and beyond the state standard. Add extra exciting projects that reinforce the concepts and review every 3-4 weeks. This can keep the class excited, keep you excited, and make the end of course test the easiest test they take all year.
7. The right to fail! - Every student has a right to fail you can not save them all! Now a good teacher does not give up on a student ever! You contact home, try and solve the problem, seek out other ideas and methods but in the end some donkeys will not move! Document them for a lack of any effort, document all you try, and give your self a guilt break!
8. Wall Days- A place where a student can sit voluntarily on days that are just bad days. This can not be a punishment corner this is like "Home" in find and seek. We all have bad days sometimes giving the student an option prevents later trouble.
9. Students should work more and teachers work better and less! Learning is active! If all you do is sit at the overhead that is lame! At least send individual kids to the overhead!
10. The subject you teach is not important- repeat "NOT IMPORTANT" what is important is that to teach kids new skills to teach themselves in the future!
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