Yesterday I spent some time in classrooms at Seneca Middle
School. It is always good to visit the
middle school level. It is like going
home to me since I spent 18 years of my career either teaching or serving as a
middle school principal.
My first stop was 7th grade language arts. The writing prompt for the journal entry was “The
grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” Students were busy interpreting and reacting
to this statement as the teacher took role (and I pondered on the quote, too). The pace quickly changed and the students were
reviewing theme, plot, and topic for an upcoming test. To make a good assessment of student
understanding, the teacher used colored sticky notes (blue for theme, red for
plot, and yellow for topic). With the
aid of the computer, a theme, plot, or topic from a literature selection they
had studied was up on the screen.
Students then held up the appropriate sticky and kept a tally of their response
(correct vs. incorrect). It was a great
way to review the lesson (and to hold all students accountable).
I moved to another 7th grade classroom. The next class of students was listening to a
book as I entered the room. The teacher read
from Cinder Edna.
This was a great introduction to the
study of ratios. Cinder Edna, like
Cinderella, had a very important relationship with a shoe. The students had two tasks: boys were to trace then measure the length of their shoe
and girls were to measure their heights.
Then they switched. The teacher
made it clear that everything was in centimeters because they were working to
determine the ratio of shoe size to height.
It was a great activity, and hopefully the activity will serve as the “mental
Velcro” to help them remember ratios.
My final class was sixth grade language arts. I love ancient Greek and Roman mythology, and
these students were listening to a selection and following along with a graphic
story about Perseus and Medusa.
Vocabulary was the focus (e.g., fate, oracle, demigod). The teacher was using a neat sound
enhancement system that she had received as part of a grant. Several of our elementary schools use such
systems, and it benefits all students (and reduces the need for the “teacher
voice”) regardless of hearing issues (click here). Pace was quick, and soon the students were being introduced by video to visiting exchange teachers (one from Uganda and one from Peru) who will
be working in the sixth grade classroom with teachers.
I enjoyed my visit in the classrooms at Seneca Middle. Students were engaged and excited about
learning. I truly appreciate the
professionalism and dedication of the SMS staff!
