Dynamite Lesson Plan - Latest Comments

Re: Opting out of Testing Gaining Favor with Parents? My response

Damien Riley — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 03:00:37 -0000

That is really nice of you to say. I don't always comment on them but I really like the articles you share on Twitter and Facebook. I do agree that the "test" should not be more placed as more important than the whole child. Have a great night.

Re: Opting out of Testing Gaining Favor with Parents? My response

Carlos Mendoza — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:55:38 -0000

Thanks Damien. I always appreciate your comments and insights. You have an interesting perspective on education that is valuable and worth hearing.

Re: Side-Yard Superhero (Book Review)

Damien Riley — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:58:56 -0000

You're welcome and I certainly agree that teaching comes from often unlikely places. Have a great day.

Re: Side-Yard Superhero (Book Review)

Ashley Depew — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:50:34 -0000

Thanks for the review on Bernie's book, I think I would really like this type of book. I like stories from "unlikely teacher", because I think we all are.

Re: Music in the Classroom Still Standing

Becca — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:31:06 -0000

I love involving music into the classrooms that I am in. I feel like the students pay more attention to what is going on. It allows them to use different parts of the mind and allows them to experience something new. I'm a strong believer in music in the classroom.

Re: Teaching, Inspiration, and Rock ‘n Roll

Chris Thompson — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:00:45 -0000

Agreed that the creative teaching approach is the best way to go.
If you can get the students more engaged and excited they learn a lot more. Well done.
Just wish their were more teachers like you where I live!

Re: Using Google Calendar as a Lesson Plan Tool and Syncing With Work

Damien Riley — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:10:35 -0000

Postscript: I put Remember the Milk email reminders into the mix and am feeling quite pleased with the result. This stuff is incredible but I know not everybody is into computers enough to pull it off. If you are brave and willing, give it a try.

Re: Angela Maiers Editorial: “Superman Ain’t Comin’ and Why That’s a Good Thing!”

Damien Riley — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:10:58 -0000

I wouldn't call it "offending" but it certainly was not the amazing inspiration the media has played it up to be. Combining passion with strategies that work to reach all kids is what I do every day. I liked your comment, it sums up how I feel as well.

Re: Angela Maiers Editorial: “Superman Ain’t Comin’ and Why That’s a Good Thing!”

Jason — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:17:54 -0000

I can see your point. I haven't seen the offending movie, but I certainly get your point. We do have to be a lot more proactive and getting about the business. My school certainly isn't waiting for Superman, Superwoman or Supergirl. We become those people everyday and get at it.

Re: Some Relaxation Methods

Dan@weathervane — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:45:47 -0000

Thanks Damien, I just spent 4 hours in front of my pc and after doing toe scrunches and yoga practice I feel refreshing. It's not only for teachers but we (Computer Geeks) can also use it.

Re: Paperless Math

Damien Riley — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:40:57 -0000

For me, the whiteboards are only classroom teaching assessment tools. I dont use them for benchmark stuff.

Re: Paperless Math

Janet — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:58:26 -0000

Thanks for the response. I already to formative assessments with individual whiteboards - I love the 'yes no yes' quick responses. I can catch those kids who won't write down the work in a notebook, too.

I'm more interested in how you do summative assessments. How do you manage Benchmark testing or unit tests?

Re: Paperless Math

Damien Riley — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:14:42 -0000

Great news, congratulations. I use whiteboards as a form of instant assessment. For example, if i am doing double digit multiplication, I teach it. model it, and then have them do one independently. I have them raise them all at the same time and I can quickly scan the class to see how many are getting the right answer. So much better than grading papers. You are limited however to one question at a time so you may want to do a few before you move on.

Re: Paperless Math

Janet — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:37:58 -0000

I was just approved for Chromebooks for my classroom. I am so excited - and starting to really search for paperless math suggestions. BTW, I use showerboard cut into 8x10 pieces for my whiteboards already.

Question: What do students do to show understanding on a test, etc. in a paperless classroom.

Re: Internal vs. External Motivation for Teachers

Elizabeth Bragagnini — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:00:15 -0000

This was a great post. I related to it completely and it further reinforced what I have been studying in my Master Program. As educators, most of us rely on our internal motivation to get our work done. As Daniel Pink said, Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose is what intrinsic motivation is all about.

Re: Kids Getting to You?

Damien Riley — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:28:23 -0000

Thank you Jodi.

Re: Kids Getting to You?

Jodi — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:45:08 -0000

I agree that there are going to be moments when you feel overwhelmed and stressed out. These are very helpful tips that I will remember to use as a teacher. Every job has its positive and negative aspects, the trick is learning how to overcome the negative and focus on the positive. These tips you have given will provide a means for that.

Re: Look at it Differently, or Where I Managed to Put the Bookshelf

Damien Riley — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 05:25:10 -0000

Yeah, I should probably take that first post's picture out. Quite misleading. Thanks again for your remarks.

Re: Look at it Differently, or Where I Managed to Put the Bookshelf

Elysabeth — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 05:01:47 -0000

Interesting - the picture in your first posting (the dilemma) doesn't look anything like the second and third pictures - so maybe that is why I was confused - lol. I'm glad you came to the conclusion and that it all worked out perfectly for you. I think the confusing part for me was all the white board looking pieces around a bookcase and the bookcase looking like it was actually elevated up on a counter or something - but you got it figured out and now the kids and you will be happy - I'm glad I'm not a teacher and having to deal with arranging my room - but then again, it could be fun if that is your passion (teaching that is). See you in the postings - E :)

Ma America, The Travelin' Maven
Author of the JGDS, 50-state, mystery, trivia series
Where will the adventure take you next?
http://jgdsseries.blogspot.com
http://jgdsseries.weebly.com

Elysabeth Eldering
Author of Finally Home, a YA paranormal mystery (coming soon)
http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com
http://eeldering.weebly.com

Re: Look at it Differently

Damien Riley — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 03:35:33 -0000

Thanks Elysabeth. I wrote a short conclusion about the matter. It worked out quite well I think. Once again, thank you for your reply.

Re: Look at it Differently

Elysabeth — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:04:23 -0000

Not sure what the solution will be but I'm assuming the bookcase is what is behind the white boards? - Think outside the box maybe. Perhaps the case isn't meant to benefit the students this year or the desks need to be shifted somehow. Bookcases aren't easy to move and hope you have some furniture movers when it comes to rearranging the bookcase and all. Let us know what the solution turns out to be - E :)

Re: Learning Objective

Damien Riley — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:58:55 -0000

I understand your question. I would say yes, every day a new plan. Every lesson would ideally be moving toward a global goal. I use a state standard to drive each EDI lesson I give. Your plan sounds exciting. i hope that helps.

Re: Learning Objective

Glenda — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:10:09 -0000

I understand the components. I guess what I am asking specifically is do I need to do that for every day of the week for 1 story? Realistically, each day builds on the previous day's lesson from Intro, through practice, to some level of ability. For example, st. being able to identify the components of realistic fiction. So, my question is... Do I need to write a daily plan for each of the 5 days that a story entails? Or, will one lesson plan written for a series of days (5) be ok? (Perhaps this plan would even have specific knowledge activation, etc. listed for each day, within this one plan).

Re: Learning Objective

Damien Riley — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:12:11 -0000

EDI lessons have specific parts: Learning objective, Activate prior knowledge, Importance ... and so on. You can look at the table of contents on this post to read in more detail. What you need to do is write lessons that are focused on 1 standard each. It will be very powerful if you can use the same story throughout the week to draw in varied lessons covering an array of standards. It might help to articulate your end goal as well. I hope that helps.

Re: Learning Objective

Glenda — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:38:01 -0000

I am just trying to write plans that represent explicit instruction. I am confounded on how to actually write these plans. I understand how to write plans for 1 lesson (1 day). My question is, "How do I write lesson plans for say a Reading story that would last 1 week> I want to work smarter, not necessarily harder. Explicit plans for 1 day is not too hard explicit plans over a weeks time is more difficult for me. HeLp!