We haven't written anything in our blog for a very long time, but I thought this would be a good time to start again. This coming year is going to be crazy!! I am teaching AP Calculus BC, Algebra 2, and a class we call Topics in Algebra 2 for students who aren't quite ready for the full Algebra 2 curriculum.
Our school is starting on a hybrid plan. Students are divided into two cohorts. Cohort 1 will be in-building on Monday and Tuesday and Cohort 2 will be in-building on Thursday and Friday. All will be learning from home for the other three days. So, teaching will be more of an adventure than usual!
I have always wanted to explore flipping my classroom but have never felt like the time was right or that I had all the tools I needed to do it. Well, I'm not sure if the time is right and I'm pretty sure I don't have all the tools I need, but I'm going for it anyway! I work with a great (much younger than me) teacher who inspires me to try new stuff and I will be sharing "our" stories as well. Caitlyn Gironda (givemeasine.blogspot.com) gives me a lot of great ideas and has made me a better teacher as a result. It's so nice to have someone to brainstorm with and maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to pull this off.
I have purchased and read the book Flipping with Kirch by Crystal Kirch, which has given me a foundation upon which to build my flipped classroom. She has so much to offer but I will be doing my best to keep it as simple as possible for both me and my students. I have developed a simple version of the WSQ ("whisk") to use on Canvas (our district's choice for a learning management system) that I will be using with my two algebra courses.
To be honest, I am way more concerned about the structure and pace of my AP class. The schedule we have gives us less contact time than I am used to and there have been no changes made to the course. I will still be flipping the class but using the notes and assignments I have always used in the past. I have a feeling that this class will be going full speed ahead right from go!
I have chosen to look at the year as an opportunity to try something new, probably more than one something, and that will (hopefully) keep me sane!
