We are dedicated to helping educators explore a practical alternative approach to the traditional teaching format.
Carterville, IL
Joined December 2023
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If you want to learn more about our Skills Based Classroom approach, check out the attached article.
wix.to/eSCaQWz
Skip the mega-conference. This summer, join a small PD cohort by math teachers, for math teachers.
We will help you redesign your class around a skills-based model that boosts learning and cuts grading stress.
Spots are limited: lnkd.in/eJbnXCvf
Here it is. Our Making Math Moments That Matter podcast episode.
Check out our story via this interview by @MrOrr_geek
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…
Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers retweeted
Episode 151 of Centering the Pendulum will be released this weekend.
My guests are Jake Towers & Keenan Clark.
teacherbilldavidson.com/podc…
soundcloud.com/bill-davidson…
@JakeTowers3
@KeenanClark3
This week, we’re excited to share our story on the @MakeMathMoments Podcast with @MrOrr_geek and @MathletePearce! 🎙️
Their podcast was a catalyst for so many conversations when we built our Skills-Based Classroom.
We can't wait to chat with Jon and Kyle. Stay tuned!
We did it! SBC now has an article published in the official journal of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The Illinois Math Teachers Journal allowed us to share part our journey towards creating the Skills Based Classroom.
Here’s the link: lnkd.in/e3cjq2uy
Easier access to the article:
ictm.memberclicks.net/imt
We’re facilitating a workshop for over 20 math teachers this week. Of course we have an entire slide filled with quotes from @pntrack
This is great. We’ve always felt like Feed The Cats belongs in the classroom. Hope we can catch this presentation sometime.
Thanks to all those who wished me luck with my first-ever presentation on teaching: "Coach the Classroom".
Hopefully I will have more opportunities.
Topics:
1) Teach like your class is not mandatory.
2) Compete and teach competition. Win the classroom!
3) Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
4) Make your class the best part of a kid's day.
5) FTC Endless Feedback Loop (teachers reflect their classroom and the classroom reflects the teacher).
6) Essentialism, Effectiveness, & Simplicity
7) Build your own house (and teach your students to build theirs).
8) Don't be an adult who hates kids (Reality Check).
9) Be loyal. Be rebellious.
10) Don't be chained to the curriculum.
11) Wooden's 8 Laws of Learning
12) Engineer your grading system to prevent failing.
13) Your best students hardly need you. (The difficult ones need you terribly.)
14) Who do you work for? Where is your allegiance?
15) Gamify
16) Make a profit every day.
17) What we can learn from "The Gauntlet".
18) Rules & Consequences
19) Career Education
20) My favorite word: ENCOURAGE (to give courage).
Check out my blog post wix.to/fjNIFNK
#newblogpost
I’ve yet to find an education standard that has a “first try” component. Arbitrary test dates created for the convenience of an instructor is not a reason to inhibit growth and learning for high school students.
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Does anyone else believe that “grade deflation” is a much bigger problem than “grade inflation”?
Reducing grades for behaviors unrelated to knowledge of content is unfair and has significant negative consequences. Yet, school handbooks are flooded with these draconian policies.
Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers retweeted
Success isn’t a one-time event; it’s a series of small victories. Start your day with intention, stay consistent, and celebrate the little wins along the way. That’s how you #WinTheDay. 💪✨ #WednesdayWisdom #SuperSystems
Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers retweeted
The primary purpose of classroom assessment is to inform our instruction, not to determine a grade. Learning in no way depends on grades. #LeadInclusion #ATchat #ATassess #SBLchat #TG2chat #TeacherTwitter
ALT Students.
Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers retweeted
If you don't act on the assessment right away, it's probably not worth giving in the first place. #MakeTeachingSustainable #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers
Check out my blog post wix.to/Wopc5m5
#newblogpost
We are at the Williamson County Learning Camp today. In 2 breakout sessions, we will talk about harnessing the power of reassessing students to guide future instruction and discuss a practical alternative to assigning homework. Both are foundations in our Skills Based Classroom.
Time To Be Innovative: Bring On The Skills Based Classroom…Today we have a 12:15 spotlight lunch session at the Illinois Principals Association Conference in Peoria. Can’t wait to share our ideas with educational leaders throughout the state.
Friday was “Math Fun Day” in our department. All math classes were suspended and classrooms were transformed into math games/experiments labs. Students chose between dice games, making paper airplanes, catapult designs and other activities.
100% participation and engagement.
This is one problem. Another problem is after all of this time and effort, there will likely be no productive feedback. Teachers cannot possibly respond appropriately to that much homework. So why even assign it?
Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers retweeted
Feedback is perhaps the biggest thing missing from most classrooms.
REAL feedback.
Not "That's right. This is wrong. Good work. Try this."
Feedback tied to what success looks like & what the end goal is for learning.
Where are you?
Where do you want to go?
What's next?