Here's my question of the day:
Do anchor charts work well in middle school?
Now let me explain why I'm asking.
I love anchor charts. I love the idea of them. I think they are phenomenal. I love the idea of giving students a visual for learning.
Here's the problem:
In middle school, I'll have 4 classes a day. This means that I'd have to make that anchor chart with 4 different classes. I would want to have student & teacher collaboration on the charts that I use. I don't necessarily want it to all be my thoughts.
Possibilities:
- Don't use anchor charts (I hate this idea).
- Make four anchor charts in one day (This idea stinks almost as bad).
- Make one anchor chart and walk the kids through it in each class (problem: no student collaboration)
- Make an anchor chart on the SMARTboard (problem: if I need my SMARTboard for anything else, my anchor chart disappears).
- ??????
Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm looking for some help here! I'm sure that one of my 29 followers or one of the 4164 people who have viewed my page has an idea!!! :)
Thanks in advance, guys (and girls!!!)
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XOXO
I'm not too sure about using anchor charts with 7th graders...I'm planning on doing interactive notebooks with my 6th graders. I'm only teaching math so I'm kind of in the same boat you are. Dinah Zike is an interactive notebook genius. Tons of foldables and ideas to go with them. Also, A Teacher’s Treasure has a great interactive notebook resource in her TPT store. I hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower. Come check out my blog!
Ms. W
Hootin’ Around the Classroom
Here's an idea, what if you do an anchor chart with your first class, talk about what you and your students discussed with your second, third, and fourth classes and give them a chance to add to it?? Or self direct your students to create their own in small groups and then discuss and compile a large one?
ReplyDelete~Amy
Sixth Grade Sparkle
I used some anchor charts last year with my five 7th grade English classes. I did exactly what Amy said. This year I will be combining the anchor charts with interactive notebooks. The students will copy the chart into their notebook and we will collaborate on the white board next to the anchor chart.
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www.joanhagy.blogspot.com
Ok! So, you guys are saying - create the anchor chart on my own and have it ready for the kids. THEN, work with them next to it (that way, it's still unique to each class but they get the same concepts?)
ReplyDelete--Andi
I use them with my English Language Learners in 5th and 6th grade. What I do is have the bare bones on the original anchor chart on my paper hanging up, then I use my smart board, we personalize the chart on the document for each class, which I then save, and compile into one chart after they are both done. Then the next day, we go over that list with each class, and we discuss things that the other class added, debating if we agree or disagree and why. Once each class has done that, I compile their ideas onto our chart. They are still making it, I just do the ultimate design...make sense? Bobbie
ReplyDeleteDid you ever figure out your dilemma? I'm a middle school math teacher and would like to start using anchor charts as well, and have thought the SAME things as you have. What was your solution??? I am roaming the internet right now and don't know that I will get back here (or find it!)...please email me: fullplate68@gmail.com with any feedback/input. THANKS SO MUCH!
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