Jester Ed

Class Structure 

When students enter my class I ask that they set a SMART Goal. When that goal is achieved we celebrate by allowing students to get a reward from the candy chest. I most often encourage students to set multiple smaller goals in a day instead of one big one goal for the whole day. 

My class is divided into a Work-Flow schedule with 30 min periods. 20 min of work time and 10 min of "brain break" time. During work time students are expected to be working toward their SMART goals. Students should not use their phone for recreation during this time. If students are repeatedly found to be on their phones and not working they will be asked to place their phone in the Digital Dock until the break. During the "brain break" time students may talk freely and be on their phones.

Teaching Methodology  

When there is a nail sticking out of a board most people know they need a hammer in order to drive the nail flush with the board. They know this because they have been taught and shown that the hammer is the right tool for the job. Likewise, in the classroom, we have different tools for different problems or scenarios and it is up to students to learn how and when to use those tools.

I believe the best way to help my students is to give them the tools to succeed, show them how to use them, and let them adapt those tools as they need. I call it a "Learning Tool Box".