We began our final class with a short Quick Write to reflect on the class and on the past semester. Research shows that reflecting on what and how you have learned enhanced meaning and encourages insight and complex understanding. (Here's a good article on learning through reflection.) For that reason, I have students take time to think back on the semester. I asked them to briefly write about something they learned academically and something they learned about themselves.
We celebrated our final class with a Christmas party that included an "Ugly Christmas Sweater Design" contest and a Jeopardy game. They were pretty intent on their designing and coloring. The Jeopardy game included the following topics: Characters, Ghosts, Vocabulary, Scrooge, and Jokes. By the way, research also indicates that using game-based learning strategies increases recall, retention, and cognitive growth. So while we were having fun, we were still intellectually engaged in our topics. The students numbered off and competed in teams.
Students handed in their final drafts of their History Essays. I will go over the essays and any other homework that was handed in yesterday; my goal is to have final grades out by the end of next week. If students are missing any work, I will take it until next Thursday. In class we cleared up some questions about missing work and My GradeBook. If parents or students have any more questions, feel free to contact me.
This has been a good class, and the students worked hard on their reading assignments and their essays. A small class has advantages and disadvantages. This means students have plenty opportunities to be involved in discussions, and I've used literature circles more often with this class because of the smaller size. On the other hand, small classes means that there's nowhere to hide if you come to class unprepared or just not up to engaging in conversation. All of the students have been good sports during class discussions.
Links for this week:
Class Notes (with pictures & videos)
I've enjoyed this group of students. Each one is uniquely gifted for the plans that God has for him/her. Feel free to keep in touch.
Blessings,
Mrs. Prichard
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