Hello everyone! It's the end of Week #3 at the awesome Home of the Knights...OAKLEAF HIGH! So far, so great! Butler's biologists are getting into the swing of things and learning all about science and the importance of scientific research, as well as how to turn in excellent work and really learn the concepts instead of just memorizing material for the test. I heard a great analogy during a pre-planning workshop...the classroom is very much like sports...you've got PRACTICE, a SCRIMMAGE, and then, THE BIG GAME!
Just like in our Biology classroom...there is HOMEWORK, a QUIZ (or two, lol!), and then, THE EXAM! I've told my kiddos that I truly want everything we do to work towards the end goal of their success in that 'big game' we call the exam. I shared with them that many times I was guilty of just "learning" (or rather MEMORIZING) information for a test, but then I'd literally forget it just a day or two later! I never learned HOW to study from the textbook or the homework in a way that helped me LEARN the concepts long-term. That's sad to say, but true. I'm sure we've all been guilty of it at one time or another.
But, I want better for my students. I told them that they should benefit from every piece of homework that they do...it shouldn't just be for a silly little grade...it should be the very tool they use to "practice" for the upcoming "scrimmage" and "big game"! If they apply this idea every day in each of their subject areas, they'll be sure to go far with their academic goals and actually REMEMBER the concepts from class years later! So folks...go on and get out there, TEAM, and let's WIN the BIG GAME!!! :)
Just like in our Biology classroom...there is HOMEWORK, a QUIZ (or two, lol!), and then, THE EXAM! I've told my kiddos that I truly want everything we do to work towards the end goal of their success in that 'big game' we call the exam. I shared with them that many times I was guilty of just "learning" (or rather MEMORIZING) information for a test, but then I'd literally forget it just a day or two later! I never learned HOW to study from the textbook or the homework in a way that helped me LEARN the concepts long-term. That's sad to say, but true. I'm sure we've all been guilty of it at one time or another.
But, I want better for my students. I told them that they should benefit from every piece of homework that they do...it shouldn't just be for a silly little grade...it should be the very tool they use to "practice" for the upcoming "scrimmage" and "big game"! If they apply this idea every day in each of their subject areas, they'll be sure to go far with their academic goals and actually REMEMBER the concepts from class years later! So folks...go on and get out there, TEAM, and let's WIN the BIG GAME!!! :)