First Day IN School

Today was my first official day at my placement school, Hillcrest High School. Although it was Day 1, there are no students until Thursday. After my first day I have far too many mixed feelings.

I have a vision in my head of how awesome and exciting I want my classroom to be. It may seem like I am too optimistic in the eyes of veteran teachers, but I think it’s my kind of inexperience and excitement that is necessary to make true and much needed change in the world of science education.

In any case, I am drowning in things I still need to finish and also drowning in ideas I have for teaching. One thing I am currently trying to refine is my rewards system for my class. I am not sure how many of the teachers in my science department plan on using a rewards system (mainly because I haven’t had a chance to ask anyone) but I am still trying to figure one out that won’t seem to cheezy to high school students. I will be teaching 9th graders so I think I might have some flexibility in hoping I could catch their interest more easily than I would a high school senior. In any case, I was far too receive some stamp markers I ordered online the other day to help me keep track of awesome and above and beyond behavior in my class.

Basically the plan is that each student will receive a sheet with three grids. Each grid has 50 boxes. They will be able to collect up to 50 stamps and redeem certain numbers of stamps for a prize. I’m thinking the max of 50 stamps will receive 5 extra points on an exam. Maybe have 40 stamps be a HW pass. Not sure what to value the lower number of stamps. I was thinking a positive phone call or letter home for 10-20 stamps. Not too sure. I could use some suggestions. I have no idea what high schoolers like, besides socializing.