Yes really.
We used to have rubrics on the reverse side of the instructions for special projects or research papers. One side explained in several paragraphs what you were supposed to do. The other side was a form which showed specifically what you had to do to earn a specific number of points. It broke it all down. These were great while they lasted.
I started last year doing what I called check-backs on instructions, where I underlined or highlighted the specifics buried in the instructions for assignments. This year I've starting just making my own rubric, going one step further.
For example, in AP Psych we were assigned to do either a PSA, book or case study explaining one kind of condition. The explanation was several paragraphs, and since I was working with two other people on a team (and I'd carried one of them before on projects teams like this) I decided to convert the long description to a form that we could use to divide up the work, like translating it into what we had to do.
That last part didn't quite work out, but I did actually have them come over to my house and used the form to make sure we had done everything we needed to do. It kept us on track, and when we were done it turned out that ours was the best one.
Plans are great when they work. But first you need a plan.
Showing posts with label tips and tricks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips and tricks. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
The gift that keeps on giving
I have this weird connection with moms of kids in middle school and 9th grade, who really really like this blog. I think it's because I'm trying to get through high school doing the best I can, and they want to help their kids get through too. I've been asked about putting all these blog posts into a collection as a book, and I've decided to try to do this sometime in the future. It shouldn't cost much, and I'm hoping to add some posts that fill in some gaps as soon as school is out. I'll post about it when I get it done.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
It's just a little circle
This is a small, tiny thing. Just a circle that you draw on the top right corner of a piece of paper that your teacher hands out in class. It can be a circle about the size of a dime, or a nickel, that's all.
What the circle means, when it's empty, is that whatever is on that page will be due sometime, one day soon. It also means that you need to fill in that deadline or due date. So the empty circle sits there as a reminder that you need to write in the due date, and then you need to do the assignment, and after that you need to turn it in.
We get a blizzard of paper every day, all day. Pages and pages. My AP Psych teacher says we get so many in that class because our textbook is so out of date that she has to add all the rest of the information we need by passing out all these papers. She also tries to save paper by putting different stuff on the back side of a lot of the papers, so it's easy to miss that an assignment is on the back that has nothing to do with what's on the front.
The problem is that some of all these papers are just for you to read, and some of them are for you to actually do something with. What makes it even worse is that some of the papers LOOK like they are assignments, but the teacher says they aren't, and some other papers look like things to just read but the teacher assigns something you're supposed to do with what you read.
So your best friend is that circle. And it works best if you can try to make a habit of asking right when you get the paper: is this read only, or when is it due?
Better to be the one who asks all those questions than get a zero.
What the circle means, when it's empty, is that whatever is on that page will be due sometime, one day soon. It also means that you need to fill in that deadline or due date. So the empty circle sits there as a reminder that you need to write in the due date, and then you need to do the assignment, and after that you need to turn it in.
We get a blizzard of paper every day, all day. Pages and pages. My AP Psych teacher says we get so many in that class because our textbook is so out of date that she has to add all the rest of the information we need by passing out all these papers. She also tries to save paper by putting different stuff on the back side of a lot of the papers, so it's easy to miss that an assignment is on the back that has nothing to do with what's on the front.
The problem is that some of all these papers are just for you to read, and some of them are for you to actually do something with. What makes it even worse is that some of the papers LOOK like they are assignments, but the teacher says they aren't, and some other papers look like things to just read but the teacher assigns something you're supposed to do with what you read.
So your best friend is that circle. And it works best if you can try to make a habit of asking right when you get the paper: is this read only, or when is it due?
Better to be the one who asks all those questions than get a zero.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Trouble in project team land
Is it me, or does everyone have problems with projects where you have to work in teams?
I used to think it was the project, or the people on the team with me, or even the way the instructions were set up. Now I think it's just the way these things go.
Once or twice the work's been divided pretty much equally, or we've all worked together to get it done. But for most of them I've carried the team, either because I cared more about the grade or just because I started early enough to be able to pull it off when everyone else waited until the last minute.
I've written skits (with costumes, set and recording!), made posters, created illustrated books, constructed science models, printed up brochures, and completed countless PowerPoint presentations. And my name was the first of two, three or more who got equal credit.
I know that I could and should have done it differently, and I'm getting better. But maybe I'm a little more creative, or maybe willing to work a little harder, or just like to do projects more.
My grades are great for these things, but so are my teammates's grades. But I notice that when the teacher asks to keep the project to show as an example for future classes, the question is asked of me. Too bad there's not a bonus grade for that.
I used to think it was the project, or the people on the team with me, or even the way the instructions were set up. Now I think it's just the way these things go.
Once or twice the work's been divided pretty much equally, or we've all worked together to get it done. But for most of them I've carried the team, either because I cared more about the grade or just because I started early enough to be able to pull it off when everyone else waited until the last minute.
I've written skits (with costumes, set and recording!), made posters, created illustrated books, constructed science models, printed up brochures, and completed countless PowerPoint presentations. And my name was the first of two, three or more who got equal credit.
I know that I could and should have done it differently, and I'm getting better. But maybe I'm a little more creative, or maybe willing to work a little harder, or just like to do projects more.
My grades are great for these things, but so are my teammates's grades. But I notice that when the teacher asks to keep the project to show as an example for future classes, the question is asked of me. Too bad there's not a bonus grade for that.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Bigger books, better tools
Do yourself a favor and buy a book stand for these massive textbooks we've got these days. Amazon has a bunch of choices under $30. Mine is plexiglas with adjustable angles and flexible arms for holding different sizes of books. Lets you turn the loose pages or not. Really makes a big difference for the next time you've got a long study session, especially if you're outlining or doing something besides just reading the text.
Here's one to consider.
Here's one to consider.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
One per week
I've been thinking about this blog, and what I'm trying to do here besides just try to get my thoughts down in words. I wish I had found a blog that told me something every week to try. Maybe I would have done better sooner.
I think that trying one new thing a week is just about right, not too much. Even if you just think about it, see if maybe it might be something you want to try, even that amount of thought might be helpful.
It's hard not to be grown up yet, but have to figure it out before you are. It's a lot of pressure.
What's kind of crazy to me is that I look at friends who make things look effortless that I have to really work hard to do, but I also have other friends who think that things come easy to me that they have problems with.
I'm glad that some of these posts seem to be helpful, which means I'm going to keep writing until I run out of things to say.
I think that trying one new thing a week is just about right, not too much. Even if you just think about it, see if maybe it might be something you want to try, even that amount of thought might be helpful.
It's hard not to be grown up yet, but have to figure it out before you are. It's a lot of pressure.
What's kind of crazy to me is that I look at friends who make things look effortless that I have to really work hard to do, but I also have other friends who think that things come easy to me that they have problems with.
I'm glad that some of these posts seem to be helpful, which means I'm going to keep writing until I run out of things to say.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Baskets and file folders
Not to get carried away with this stuff, but there IS a place in your life for organization.
It's almost the end of the first semester, and stuff is really piling up in my world. Here's what's saving me from drowning in paper.
First, a plastic basket about the size of notebook paper or a little bigger, for tossing all the completed work that can stay home - usually because it's been graded and returned, or it was for reference and you're done with that topic, etc.
What's great about this is if you do it right - which means staying on top of it most days - then it's sort of like an archeological dig: the deeper you go, the older the material. Don't throw stuff away, but don't keep carrying it around with you. Put it in the basket and it will be there if you need it.
You want more organization? File folders. Just make one per course, and then after you close out a chapter (or whenever you feel like you want a little more o-r-d-e-r in your life) just sort whatever's in the basket into the folders. Put the folders in a file drawer of that otherwise empty desk. Then admire your empty basket.
See, doesn't that feel good? You are not drowning in a blizzard of paper afterall.
It's almost the end of the first semester, and stuff is really piling up in my world. Here's what's saving me from drowning in paper.
First, a plastic basket about the size of notebook paper or a little bigger, for tossing all the completed work that can stay home - usually because it's been graded and returned, or it was for reference and you're done with that topic, etc.
What's great about this is if you do it right - which means staying on top of it most days - then it's sort of like an archeological dig: the deeper you go, the older the material. Don't throw stuff away, but don't keep carrying it around with you. Put it in the basket and it will be there if you need it.
You want more organization? File folders. Just make one per course, and then after you close out a chapter (or whenever you feel like you want a little more o-r-d-e-r in your life) just sort whatever's in the basket into the folders. Put the folders in a file drawer of that otherwise empty desk. Then admire your empty basket.
See, doesn't that feel good? You are not drowning in a blizzard of paper afterall.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
From Cleared to Cleared
This may be obvious to you already, but apparently I keep forgetting it and when I remember to do it my life is just so much easier.
Before you spread out all the papers and books from your backpack or notebook, make sure the desk is clear.
That way when you're done (or think you are) with everything you need to do, as you gather it all back up and organize it for the next day, it's harder to forget something.
You know, from cleared (surface) to cleared.
Before you spread out all the papers and books from your backpack or notebook, make sure the desk is clear.
That way when you're done (or think you are) with everything you need to do, as you gather it all back up and organize it for the next day, it's harder to forget something.
You know, from cleared (surface) to cleared.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
First, pile it all up
This is getting harder and harder to do, now that I have a multi-section backpack AND a 3-ring binder AND all these pockets AND a car.
Before I get started on my homework, the first thing I have to do is chase down all the various pieces of paper from that day: folded, crumpled, misfiled, loose at the bottom of the backpack.
Pile it all up in one place, and sort it all out: to do tonight, to do another time (tip: put the due date at the upper right corner), stay at home, file with the class section of the notebook for use at school, etc.
If I don't, once or twice a week I miss a deadline, or panic and rush to finish an assignment I forgot because I didn't find the paper until I was doing the laundry, or looking for something else, etc. Not a good feeling.
The alternative, of course, is to carefully organize these papers as I proceed through the day. Not going to happen.
Before I get started on my homework, the first thing I have to do is chase down all the various pieces of paper from that day: folded, crumpled, misfiled, loose at the bottom of the backpack.
Pile it all up in one place, and sort it all out: to do tonight, to do another time (tip: put the due date at the upper right corner), stay at home, file with the class section of the notebook for use at school, etc.
If I don't, once or twice a week I miss a deadline, or panic and rush to finish an assignment I forgot because I didn't find the paper until I was doing the laundry, or looking for something else, etc. Not a good feeling.
The alternative, of course, is to carefully organize these papers as I proceed through the day. Not going to happen.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Khan Academy
Check it out. Do it now - or immediately after you finish reading this post, anyway.
This really smart guy who lives on the west coast wanted to help his nieces and nephews on the east coast with their homework, so he started recording these really simple video sessions explaining math and science concepts. Here's the magic: it's just his voice explaining while you see the formula or whatever being worked out.
These are incredibly helpful, and they are more and more useful as I progress through high school.
I read that some schools in California were switching the lesson plans around, assigning for homework the Khan Academy videos to introduce and explain new concepts, then using class time to work on what would have been the homework problems.
This is important. Go check it out here
This really smart guy who lives on the west coast wanted to help his nieces and nephews on the east coast with their homework, so he started recording these really simple video sessions explaining math and science concepts. Here's the magic: it's just his voice explaining while you see the formula or whatever being worked out.
These are incredibly helpful, and they are more and more useful as I progress through high school.
I read that some schools in California were switching the lesson plans around, assigning for homework the Khan Academy videos to introduce and explain new concepts, then using class time to work on what would have been the homework problems.
This is important. Go check it out here
Monday, October 10, 2011
Turn me in!
Ok, that's not actually what the label says, but that's the message my brain gets when I see it.
Ever do the homework and forget to turn it in? Who hasn't? But this is crazy after you've done the work, to get a zero or a late grade just because you couldn't get your act together to hand the thing in when you were supposed to.
But who can blame us, really. Our parents have no clue how rushed and crowded our days are, and how huge and loud the classes are, and how crazy it is to change classes every 45 minutes and race off the the next one across campus before the 5 minute tardy bell. (I read about how in Japan the teachers move, and the students stay in one place as a team. Cool.)
So this works for me: at the front of my 3-ring binder I use for all my classes. there's a black plastic page with a pocket, and on the pocket is a label that says, "TURN IN TODAY" and I start every day with my assignments in that packet, in the order of my classes. At the end of the day I should see an empty black page if I've turned everything in.
Of course, this means I have to put all the pages in that one place every night.
Which means I have to do all the assignments.
BUT if I do them this way I at least get credit for doing them.
See? Better.
Ever do the homework and forget to turn it in? Who hasn't? But this is crazy after you've done the work, to get a zero or a late grade just because you couldn't get your act together to hand the thing in when you were supposed to.
But who can blame us, really. Our parents have no clue how rushed and crowded our days are, and how huge and loud the classes are, and how crazy it is to change classes every 45 minutes and race off the the next one across campus before the 5 minute tardy bell. (I read about how in Japan the teachers move, and the students stay in one place as a team. Cool.)
So this works for me: at the front of my 3-ring binder I use for all my classes. there's a black plastic page with a pocket, and on the pocket is a label that says, "TURN IN TODAY" and I start every day with my assignments in that packet, in the order of my classes. At the end of the day I should see an empty black page if I've turned everything in.
Of course, this means I have to put all the pages in that one place every night.
Which means I have to do all the assignments.
BUT if I do them this way I at least get credit for doing them.
See? Better.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Mo' Mophie
One of the best things I ever got was a Mophie case for my iPhone. It's a really protective case but more important it has its own charge - you charge the iPhone, you charge the Mophie. You can choose for your phone to be lighter or have longer battery life, but for under $100 it can double your time.
Go here to see the Mophie
Go here to see the Mophie
Monday, September 26, 2011
Chapter outlines
I've discovered that formatting really does matter. Sort of like grammar.
You know all those big headlines separating sections of the chapters in your textbooks? Probably best to include them, then indent stuff under all those other smaller headlines.
If you really want to do it up right, use some color and maybe some underlining. They're kind of like signposts that help you see what's related and what's not. It helps me study later, and has been great for open-notes tests where I have to find something quickly.
And if you do it right, you won't have to open the textbook again except maybe to read the chapter summary.
I'm OK with that.
You know all those big headlines separating sections of the chapters in your textbooks? Probably best to include them, then indent stuff under all those other smaller headlines.
If you really want to do it up right, use some color and maybe some underlining. They're kind of like signposts that help you see what's related and what's not. It helps me study later, and has been great for open-notes tests where I have to find something quickly.
And if you do it right, you won't have to open the textbook again except maybe to read the chapter summary.
I'm OK with that.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Divide and conquer
Here's where my past posts intersect.
How do you know what needs doing when you discover that by some miracle you have no homework due tomorrow?
That big calendar on the wall where you have been adding all the due dates for assignments, projects and research papers, along with tests and every possible deadline or scheduled anything.
It's how you know that even with two weeks to work on a project, you only have this Sunday afternoon to work on it. You can see how jammed up you are just by looking.
If you're smart, you've been scheduling in the fun stuff too, just to make sure it doesn't get lost in all the work.
Then, if you're lucky, one day you will look at the calendar and see that you really do have nothing to do today but hang out.
It could happen.
How do you know what needs doing when you discover that by some miracle you have no homework due tomorrow?
That big calendar on the wall where you have been adding all the due dates for assignments, projects and research papers, along with tests and every possible deadline or scheduled anything.
It's how you know that even with two weeks to work on a project, you only have this Sunday afternoon to work on it. You can see how jammed up you are just by looking.
If you're smart, you've been scheduling in the fun stuff too, just to make sure it doesn't get lost in all the work.
Then, if you're lucky, one day you will look at the calendar and see that you really do have nothing to do today but hang out.
It could happen.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Assignments 101
If the assignments are posted in your classroom, take a photo.
But don't forget to plug in the due dates etc. to whatever app you're using to stay on top of them. I put mine on a big wall calendar that lets me plan ahead.
When you're in a hurry and/or doing something else in class, why waste your time writing the information?
Makes you wonder why more teachers don't get this. Also makes you appreciate the ones who post the information online.
Because if you've ever had a teacher who passed out a calendar while saying it was already out of date, you know what I'm talking about.
But don't forget to plug in the due dates etc. to whatever app you're using to stay on top of them. I put mine on a big wall calendar that lets me plan ahead.
When you're in a hurry and/or doing something else in class, why waste your time writing the information?
Makes you wonder why more teachers don't get this. Also makes you appreciate the ones who post the information online.
Because if you've ever had a teacher who passed out a calendar while saying it was already out of date, you know what I'm talking about.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Quizlet
No doubt there are other versions available, but my personal preference for online flashcards is Quizlet.
You can make your own, or use the auto-fill feature for vocabulary words, terms, even names and dates.
Then you can study, test or play games. You can even use them for translations between languages, or have the audio pronunciation.
Pay $10 and get the premium version, and create study group collections with password protection. Very efficient, easy, and if you download an app you can even access it from your iPhone.
Here is the link.
You can make your own, or use the auto-fill feature for vocabulary words, terms, even names and dates.
Then you can study, test or play games. You can even use them for translations between languages, or have the audio pronunciation.
Pay $10 and get the premium version, and create study group collections with password protection. Very efficient, easy, and if you download an app you can even access it from your iPhone.
Here is the link.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Pockets for all
Basketball shorts are great for comfort but terrible for phones, wallets and keys. Let's hear it for pockets.
Cargo pockets down low on the side of your legs with Velcro are my favorites, or zippers. Not buttons; who has time to button a pocket? Snaps never work for long.
Back pockets are good, and deep side pockets are the best.
Mostly, the more the better.
Cargo pockets down low on the side of your legs with Velcro are my favorites, or zippers. Not buttons; who has time to button a pocket? Snaps never work for long.
Back pockets are good, and deep side pockets are the best.
Mostly, the more the better.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Laptop desks
I am experimenting these days with a wacky aluminum laptop desk, and I'm not sure yet what I think about it. It is endlessly configurable, and by that I mean it has way too many pictures of how to take it apart and put it back together again in a completely different shape. I'm not sure I WANT to lay on my side in bed and have it suspended over me, but if I did I could with this thing. When I'm on the couch it can float in air in front of me, which is great once it stops its final tiny movements and gets perfectly still, at which point it's great while I use a wireless keyboard and mouse. You can check it out here but just so you know, I got it for $89 which was a lot, but it's actually made a huge difference on long study nights when I'm living on planet Khan Academy.
I'm also trying a desk on legs which sits on the couch to either side, and this one has a fan motor and side tables. See this one here.
Neither is exactly what I thought it would be, but at least I worry less about the effects of the computer slump on my posture. I think I may be two inches taller.
I'm also trying a desk on legs which sits on the couch to either side, and this one has a fan motor and side tables. See this one here.
Neither is exactly what I thought it would be, but at least I worry less about the effects of the computer slump on my posture. I think I may be two inches taller.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Fun with labels
We have not one but two labeling machines here at the house. I don't know why, but I suspect the older one was just not up to the workload.
The new one has more options for colors and sizes of tape. If you just have to have wide neon yellow labels with HUGE letters, this thing can deliver.
Also very cool is black letters on transparent tape, which is great for tab dividers in reports or presentations. I've used it to label maps too; very impressive and takes awhile to figure out out how it was done, which is a bonus with all those super competitive classmates that annoy you so much.
But here's my current favorite label: full size - that's right, 8 1/2 by 11 inch - labels that are either transparent, or on white adhesive backed paper. And you can buy them in lots of other sizes - including one that is perfect for 3x5 or 4/6 index cards, for when you are allowed notecards for a speech. This means that you can use color coding, formatting and tiny fonts if you want.
You can even buy glossy adhesive labels and print photo quality labels that you can peel and stick on a report cover. I've made books and used one for the covers.
Go wander the aisles of an office supply store. You'll see amazing stuff.
The new one has more options for colors and sizes of tape. If you just have to have wide neon yellow labels with HUGE letters, this thing can deliver.
Also very cool is black letters on transparent tape, which is great for tab dividers in reports or presentations. I've used it to label maps too; very impressive and takes awhile to figure out out how it was done, which is a bonus with all those super competitive classmates that annoy you so much.
But here's my current favorite label: full size - that's right, 8 1/2 by 11 inch - labels that are either transparent, or on white adhesive backed paper. And you can buy them in lots of other sizes - including one that is perfect for 3x5 or 4/6 index cards, for when you are allowed notecards for a speech. This means that you can use color coding, formatting and tiny fonts if you want.
You can even buy glossy adhesive labels and print photo quality labels that you can peel and stick on a report cover. I've made books and used one for the covers.
Go wander the aisles of an office supply store. You'll see amazing stuff.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Scientific Calculator Apps
Do yourself a favor and get a calculator app for your iPhone.
Even at $25 or so for the really good ones, it's a deal for when you don't have your calculator. I got this tip from an engineer, and used it at a summer science program when we were out in the field for two weeks.
Coolness factor: priceless
Here's one to try.
Even at $25 or so for the really good ones, it's a deal for when you don't have your calculator. I got this tip from an engineer, and used it at a summer science program when we were out in the field for two weeks.
Coolness factor: priceless
Here's one to try.
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