Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers

We are dedicated to helping educators explore a practical alternative approach to the traditional teaching format.

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

If you want to learn more about our Skills Based Classroom approach, check out the attached article.
https://t.co/UgktYjSqPg

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

@FixingEducation We stopped giving homework. Well actually, we stopped working so hard to justify giving homework. By looking at the cost/benefit analysis, it was a no brainer. Less work and better results.

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

@jenteach13 We had a policy that all late work (even if it was 1 minute late) was automatically given a 50% deduction in points and anything over 1 day late was a zero.
Hated that policy and most of the others hated having to enforce it. Thankfully, we had it changed last year.

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

@CartervilleHigh AP Calculus results are in.
In 15 years of being recognized AP by @APCollege_Board we have some new school records:

-Avg score: 3.79
-89.3% scored 3+
-8 students earned a 5
-0 students scored a 1

We also had no chapter tests and no daily homework assignments

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

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: https://t.co/rBoNIbw6cB

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

Here it is. Our Making Math Moments That Matter podcast episode.

Check out our story via this interview by @MrOrr_geek

https://t.co/cIreAO8UX9

[Bill Davidson @billdavidsoniii]

Episode 151 of Centering the Pendulum will be released this weekend.

My guests are Jake Towers & Keenan Clark.

https://t.co/S2KaxTEY5l
https://t.co/QvGCisySSZ

@JakeTowers3
@KeenanClark3

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

@JamesAFurey @DTedifies @inezalbright2 @Beanie0597 @MrBixler @heymrsbond @Doug_Lemov @educatedandfree @HideYourKids0 @KJWinEducation Similarly, I would like to dive into grade inflation by way of note taking, credit checks, participation points, bonus and homework. I expect it would unveil grades that are not reflecting what students actually know.

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

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!

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

Easier access to the article:

https://t.co/Hkwkl2dSBb

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

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: https://t.co/5gmu0CXi7V

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

We’re facilitating a workshop for over 20 math teachers this week. Of course we have an entire slide filled with quotes from @pntrack

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

This is great. We’ve always felt like Feed The Cats belongs in the classroom. Hope we can catch this presentation sometime.

[Tony Holler @pntrack]

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).

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

Check out my blog post https://t.co/MyRCfa4gGf
#newblogpost

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

@MrDanielBuck For the sake of clarity, can you specifically name what is working (with evidence) but is being ignored? I’m interested in your take, but I’m not sure exactly what you’re trying to say.

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

@eduleadership This is interesting

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

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.

[Skills Based Classroom-Keenan Clark & Jake Towers @SkillsBased22]

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.

[Dr. Tom Webb @BOOMLeader]

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

[Lee Ann Jung, PhD @leeannjung]

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

[Paul Emerich France, #MakeTeachingSustainable @SustainTeaching]

If you don't act on the assessment right away, it's probably not worth giving in the first place. #MakeTeachingSustainable #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers