Category: Other

Taking a Break Until After Christmas

12/20/2016

This will be the last post until January.

Kids build anticipation as Christmas gets closer. For some it the build up of excitement. For others it is the uncertainty of extended time in a home environment that has challenges beyond their control. Watch for these students and do a little extra to encourage them.

Severe Weather

12/15/2016

A little late today.... Enjoying a day off school with a snow day. For your own sanity, on days that show promise of school getting called off early due to weather, pull the shades so students are not constantly looking out the window and jumping out of their seat every time a snowflake drifts by. Even though you might be as excited as your students, you may want to refrain from feeding too much information on the status of the school day to your students as you will lose resemblance of order.

Planning Christmas Activities

12/8/2016

As tempting as it can be, don't do too many Christmas activities too early with your students. It is like opening Pandora's Box, once you lose your students with Christmas excitement it is hard to pull them back. Ration your Christmas activities and gradually increase the frequency as you get closer to break.

Finding A Page (Another Method)

12/6/2016

Use metric units for students to find a page. 2m + 35 cm= 235, when students begin figuring out the place value as it is shown, mix it up. 35cm + 2 m= 235. Students will build critical thinking skills as well as gain understanding in metric measurement.

Enthusiasm

11/30/2016

Show enthusiasm for what you teach. Kids pick up on your enthusiasm, or lack thereof, and it can be reflected in their approach to the subject matter.

Finding Page Numbers

11/28/2016

Instead of giving your students a page number, give it to them in a challenge. Use money units such as 1Q +2D= 45. This strengthens the use of unknown variables with something concrete, money. It also helps them practice money counting skills.

November 22nd, 2016

11/22/2016

Kids want to feel safe. When mandated safety drills take place, reassure them that this is for practice and that a real event is very rare. If you know the history of your school you may be able to share that it has never happened at your school.

November 21st, 2016

11/21/2016

Instead of the Pledge of Allegiance, teach the Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic songs. Then mix it up from day to day. You can also teach the history behind the song. In the end students will have a better grasp of our country’s history as well as knowing some of the songs.

Parent Teacher Conferences (day 2)

11/10/2016

Parent Teacher Conferences can be insightful. Allow parents an opportunity to share about their child. Sometimes you find your student is completely different at home. Show that you are willing to listen to ideas that work from a parent perspective. Sometimes you can learn more about your child that you will never learn by observing them in the classroom. In most cases, I find conferences to be a beneficial time even if it can be taxing on your time in preparation.

Parent Teacher Conferences

11/9/2016

When you have parent teacher conferences begin by focusing on a positive, even when you might be dealing with a difficult child or a difficult parent. Avoid using words that paint a strong negative perception such as lazy or trouble maker. By beginning with a positive and carefully choosing words you can show a parent you still care for their child despite the challenges you face with them.

Free Time Activities

11/8/2016

Set up an explore area for your students. Leave small hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches. Leave items, or small appliances (popcorn poppers, old VCR’s), that don’t work anymore there for them to disassemble. Establish some guidelines so they don’t break things just to get it open.

October 28th, 2016

10/28/2016

Know when to relax. Your job is to teach and for your students to learn, however there are times to relax and do fun things. The time around holidays is one of those times. Plan activities that still have educational value, but may also relate to the holiday and provide a little fun. Although Halloween is my least favorite holiday, I do a math activity called “Spooky Digits” that explores odd patterns in math that grab students attention and get them to excited about math in a different way.

Children and the First Snow

10/27/2016

The first snowfall, or hint of snowflakes in the air, will bring about incredible levels of excitement in your students and you will have difficulty keeping them focused. I just thought you might want to know that in advance.
(Guess what is doing here today?)

Handling Unexpected Words

10/26/2016

Sometimes an inappropriate word comes up unexpectedly, such as when looking up a work in a dictionary. If you make a big deal about it the kids will too. Kids will follow your lead, you make a big deal and they will too. You may calmly respond and explain there are words in our world that are not appropriate in school that we may come across, when that happens we will go on and not make a big deal over them.

Hallway Strategy

9/20/2016

Quiet Hallway strategy. Walk on your tiptoes and make the SHH! gesture with your finger on your lips. Pretend you are sneaking down the hallway. Tell them you are trying not to get caught in the hallway. They often mimic you and have fun sneaking down the hallway. This works well for small groups as well as the whole class.

Student Birthdays

9/16/2016

Birthdays- If you know they are turning a specific number, tell them happy birthday in days. i.e. 10 years is 3652 (365 x 10 + 2 leap year days). It makes them think and they get a kick out of it. Oh, and the puzzled expression on their face is priceless.

Pledge of Allegiance

9/15/2016

When reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, introduce the pledge by recognizing and honoring members of the military, American heroes, or significant Americans past or present that contributed to our country and recite the pledge in honor of them. Personalize it by inviting students to bring information on family members that have served our country.

Time Filler/Thinking Strategy

9/14/2016

20 Questions- Choose an item in the classroom. Teach the students to develop a strategy of how to find the answer in less than 20 questions. Expand it outside of the classroom as they get better.

Greeting Students

9/12/2016

Greet the students by name with a smile each day at the door to your classroom.