PBIS

Along with implementing SBG our school is becoming a PBIS school.  Why just change one thing when you can change EVERYTHING right?

I am really into PBIS and am totally on board with everything it stands for.  I have always had trouble telling students what not to do as it just creates a negative environment and a challenge for those students who like to push the envelope.   

When I was student teaching my cooperating teacher gave me a simple verbal cue that I could not live without and that totally aligns with PBIS.  When the class is a bit out of control you find that one student who is doing what you asked and verbally thank them.  Then as the students notice others being praised they model that behavior and shortly you have everyone doing what you want! Its an amazing tool and you NEVER have to raise your voice. In fact you'll find yourself smiling though the WHOLE thing!

To foster a positive environment my IT collaborate with the other 7th grade ITs to come up with our 5Ps.  A simple way to show our expectations and keep them the same for those few students who are cross team.

Here are all the posters I came up with that are now hanging all over our house (that is what we call the pod of classrooms reserved for each grade).

starting out

Writing my first blog post is a bit like starting my first day as a teacher two years ago.  I know what I want the rest of this blog to look like but I'm not quite sure how to start out.  Luckily, unlike my middle school students, most of you will not just stare back at me with blank faces until seizing the perfect moment to act up.  

I guess I'll introduce myself and why I have decided to blog.

I am starting my third school year as middle school math teacher.  We don't go back until the 21st of August so I do not know my classes yet.  I will be in the 7th grade hall most likely teaching 7th grade algebra and possible a Math 7 or two.

This will be my second year teaching algebra and if I have a Math 7 class or two my first year doing that.

My goal for this blog is to interact with the much larger professional community out there by sharing my lessons and ideas and using those lessons and ideas posted by others!

I am most eager to post to made4math monday

  
and give back for all the AWESOME things I have borrowed over the past year

and join a few of the twitter chats!  you can follow me at @annemarie_hugh  

Last year was my first venture into using a ISN or interactive student notebook.  Most members of my PLC were not into the idea and by December I had relinquished to just gluing workbook pages into our 5-star notebook.  I rebounded around April but overall am not happy with how it turned out.

This year I am following many of the recommendations I have seen in the blogasphere and using a composition notebook that will ONLY hold their notes and synthesis.

AND being the type A obsessive person I am, I went head and made a mock ISN over the summer to keep me on track!  (pictures to follow!)

I am very excited for this new adventure!