Spark Student Motivation - Bump it Up

If you think I have been a bad blogger lately you should see my house and to-do list. Wow, now I remember why I try to keep going with projects and to-do lists - either wise I end up in this place of non-motivation. So what better way to get motivated then to link up with Joanne at Head over Heels for Teaching for her linky...

Okay, so Joanne is not hosting her linky today, but this post is like one of the few things I accomplished this week so I am going ahead and posting it!!


But you can still stop by Joanne's blog - I have borrowed sooooo many of her ideas it is not even funny - I am hoping that reading her blog can get me out of the funk that I am in!!

So I am sharing an idea I have talked about before but with an update. It is my Bump it Up board. This is something I must have in my room and I blogged about it here. Basically it is a bulletin board where I highlight an expectation we are working on and then post student samples and feedback. Here is what it looked like last year.

Now, if you read my original post you will know that I was not very keen on this idea when I was told I must do it. But it is working - posting the goals - using the actual curriculum wording and kid friendly language, giving them specific criteria and checklists and meaningful feedback motivates my student to work harder. They are more motivated to use checklists properly (actually reflect on the criteria not just put checks all the way down!) when I present it using this bulletin board. They are motivated to go back to this bulletin board and look at the feedback to revise and edit their work. They are also motivated to provide more meaningful feedback to others and can talk more critically about their work when we use this bulletin board.

Is it the bulletin board itself - no, of course not. Is it me being more direct in stating learning goals, criteria and providing meaningful feedback - yes. Is it taking the time to teach them how to use a checklist - yes. Is it taking the time to talk about work samples and let them give feedback and suggestions with me prompting and modelling - yes. Is it telling them 20 times to check the board - yes. Does it motivate all my students to do better - no. Do I do this for every lesson - no. I do it once for a unit or skill - making connections, or showing your work in math or writing a retell - a skill we will be working and that they will be having time to use the feedback to improve. Do I use real student work - no. I either make it up, type up student work or somehow disguise their work - that is still a sticking point for me.

Here is the new file I made for this year to go with my superhero theme and colors (Dots and Turquoise paper!!).

 

 

We are heading out soon for a lovely 4 hour drive to our friends for Summerfest13 - silly name given to the get together :). So until we leave It is a in my TPT store if you are motivated to try it out this year.