Teaching Tips # 5 Make Rewards Work for You

Top Ten Tips # 3

Make Rewards Work for You

Give students relevant rewards for desirable behaviours, starting tasks, completing tasks, following class rules, etc. The goal is to establish the HABIT of co-operation. Standards can be subtly raised once the habit has been established. The easiest, quickest and most appreciated reward is DESCRIPTIVE PRAISE.

Other possible rewards, besides those used as a school-wide system are

•   a note home to parents
•    name on a special chart which earns a later tangible reward
•   being given special responsibilities
•   being allowed to go first
•   having extra choices
•   Creating Class Bank Account using school money

   University of British Columbia

February is Black History Month

Assalamualaikum Dear Teachers,

Here's an excellent opportunity to connect Islamic Studies with Social Studies. February is Black History Month. A significant number of African slaves that were brought to the New World were Muslims. It is an excellent way to illustrate to our students that Muslims have a long history in the West and have made significant contributions to the development of the civilizations in the West. It is also an excellent opportunity to tell our students the story of the oppression of a race of people.

I would really like to see at least one lesson plan by each homeroom teacher that focuses on Black History during the month of February. Here are some resources to update yourself on this topic:

Fraction with Bloom's Taxonomy

Fractions with Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy

Remembering

List the fractions you know and can show.

Understanding

Find items that you can use to show the fractions.

Applying

Draw a diagram which shows these fractions or take photographs of the fractions.

Analysing

Design a survey to find out which fractions are easy and which are hard.  Graph your results.

Evaluating

Choose a diagram or picture to represent the hardest fractions to use in a game.

Creating

Create a power point presentation game for others to play.

Bloom's Taxonomy Mathematics Chart

 

 

Levels	Verbs	Sample Tasks
REMEMBERING Learn terms, facts, methods, procedures, concepts	Draw, Recognize, Count, Group, Reproduce, Memorize, State, Tabulate, Identify, Point, Follow Directions	1.     Can you identify the different place values in the metric system? 2.     State the mode, mean, median, and range from your set of data. 3.     How do you reproduce a circle using a compass?
UNDERSTANDING Understand uses and implications of terms, facts, methods, procedures, concepts	Change, Classify, Convert, Estimate, Interpret, Measure, Put in Order, Show, Suggest, Express in other terms	1.     Classify polygons by regularity, concavity, and line symmetry. 2.     Explain how to convert between fractions, decimals, and percents. 3.     What is your interpretation of the data expressed on the graph?
APPLYING Practice theory, solve problems, use information in the new situations	Calculate, Compute, Construct, Demonstrate, Derive, Graph, Manipulate, Operate, Practice, Prove, Solve	1.     How do you calculate the percent of a given whole? 2.     Solve for area of a rectangle by using A= l x w. 3.     What information do you consider when graphing data derived from a survey?
ANALYSING Analyze structure, recognize assumptions, breaking down material into parts	Break down, Deduce, Diagram, Distinguish, Formulate, Group, Order, Separate, Simplify, Sort	1.     What methods can be used to compare and order fractions? 2.     Analyze the relationship between variables on a graph. 3.     What factors do you consider when formulating a plan for problem solving?
EVALUATING Set standards, Judge with purpose, accept or reject on basis of criteria	Appraise, Choose, Compare, Conclude, Decide, Describe, Evaluate, Justify, Measure, Validate	1.     Evaluate the expression after changing the order of operations. 2.     Describe how to solve a problem using the 4 step method. 3.     Justify your reason for choosing the strategy selected.
CREATING Putting information together into a new and creative way.	Construct, Create, Derive, Develop, Document, Generate, Integrate, Plan, Predict, Prepare, Propose, Specify, Tell	1.     Describe some patterns that you recognized in the construction of Pascal’s Triangle. 2.     What kind of table can you create that represents change in temperature? 3.     What prediction can you make from this graph?

How to apply Bloom Taxonomy?

Knowledge Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems Potential activities and products tell list describe relate locate write find state name What happened after...? How many...? Who was it that...? Can you name the...? Describe what happened at...? Who spoke to...? Can you tell why...? Find the meaning of...? What is...? Which is true or false...? Make a list of the main events.. Make a timeline of events. Make a facts chart. Write a list of any pieces of information you can remember. List all the .... in the story. Make a chart showing... Make an acrostic. Recite a poem. Comprehension Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems Potential activities and products explain interpret outline discuss distinguish predict restate translate compare describe Can you write in your own words...? Can you write a brief outline...? What do you think could of happened next...? Who do you think...? What was the main idea...? Who was the key character...? Can you distinguish between...? What differences exist between...? Can you provide an example of what you mean...? Can you provide a definition for...? Cut out or draw pictures to show a particular event. Illustrate what you think the main idea was. Make a cartoon strip showing the sequence of events. Write and perform a play based on the story. Retell the story in your words. Paint a picture of some aspect you like. Write a summary report of an event. Prepare a flow chart to illustrate the sequence of events. Make a colouring book. Application Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems Potential activities and products solve show use illustrate construct complete examine classify Do you know another instance where...? Could this have happened in...? Can you group by characteristics such as...? What factors would you change if...? Can you apply the method used to some experience of your own...? What questions would you ask of...? From the information given, can you develop a set of instructions about...? Would this information be useful if you had a ...? Construct a model to demonstrate how it will work. Make a diorama to illustrate an important event. Make a scrapbook about the areas of study. Make a paper-mache map to include relevant information about an event. Take a collection of photographs to demonstrate a particular point. Make up a puzzle game suing the ideas from the study area. Make a clay model of an item in the material. Design a market strategy for your product using a known strategy as a model. Dress a doll in national costume. Paint a mural using the same materials. Write a textbook about... for others. Analysis Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems Potential activities and products analyse distinguish examine compare contrast investigate categorise identify explain separate advertise Which events could have happened...? I ... happened, what might the ending have been? How was this similar to...? What was the underlying theme of...? What do you see as other possible outcomes? Why did ... changes occur? Can you compare your ... with that presented in...? Can you explain what must have happened when...? How is ... similar to ...? What are some of the problems of...? Can you distinguish between...? What were some of the motives behind...? What was the turning point in the game? What was the problem with...? Design a questionnaire to gather information. Write a commercial to sell a new product. Conduct an investigation to produce information to support a view. Make a flow chart to show the critical stages. Construct a graph to illustrate selected information. Make a jigsaw puzzle. Make a family tree showing relationships. Put on a play about the study area. Write a biography of the study person. Prepare a report about the area of study. Arrange a party. Make all the arrangements and record the steps needed. Review a work of art in terms of form, colour and texture. Synthesis Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems Potential activities and products create invent compose predict plan construct design imagine propose devise formulate Can you design a ... to ...? Why not compose a song about...? Can you see a possible solution to...? If you had access to all resources how would you deal with...? Why don't you devise your own way to deal with...? What would happen if...? How many ways can you...? Can you create new and unusual uses for...? Can you write a new recipe for a tasty dish? can you develop a proposal which would... Invent a machine to do a specific task. Design a building to house your study. Create a new product. Give it a name and plan a marketing campaign. Write about your feelings in relation to... Write a TV show, play, puppet show, role play, song or pantomime about...? Design a record, book, or magazine cover for...? Make up a new language code and write material suing it. Sell an idea. Devise a way to... Compose a rhythm or put new words to a known melody.     Evaluation Useful Verbs Sample Question Stems Potential activities and products judge select choose decide justify debate verify argue recommend assess discuss rate prioritise determine Is there a better solution to... Judge the value of... Can you defend your position about...? Do you think ... is a good or a bad thing? How would you have handled...? What changes to ... would you recommend? Do you believe? Are you a ... person? How would you feel if...? How effective are...? What do you think about...? Prepare a list of criteria to judge a ... show. Indicate priority and ratings. Conduct a debate about an issue of special interest. Make a booklet about 5 rules you see as important. Convince others. Form a panel to discuss views, eg "Learning at School." Write a letter to ... advising on changes needed at... Write a half yearly report. Prepare a case to present your view about...