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Thursday, December 27, 2012
Math Motivation
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I was searching around today looking at different models of schools and trying to find new ways to motivate students when I came across Dan Meyer. He explains that students' brains are rewired when they watch television shows in which a problem is shown and solved within 30 minutes or less. We all are becoming impatient with resolution. This is why my math class just wants to give me the answer and not tell me why or how they reasoned it out. So, what should a teacher do? Dan explains that we should build problems that foster math reasoning and patient problem solving. Use photos and videos and gradually add the numbers for computation. Let the students find the information that they need to solve the problems. Watch him on Good Morning America with a great math question! Perfect for your holiday returns. You will need to scroll down a bit to find the Good Morning America video.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
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A look back at our classroom elf on the shelf and all the fun he had!
He found a boat that the students built in our lego bin and had some fun!
He thought that Mocha's dog treats were cookies!
We made snowflakes for Polar Express Day and he caught a tiny one on his tongue!
He was getting "fit" after the cookies with marshmallow bar bells!
He played dreidel!
He fished with a little pole made from a paper clip.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Kids Are Heros
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This website is going to help my students start to think about the good they can do in the world!
http://www.kidsareheroes.org/index.html
http://www.kidsareheroes.org/index.html
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
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The Elf on The Shelf Is Alive in Our Room
Our elf reports to Ben (our principal). We named him Jimmy and he is keeping a close eye on the good deeds that we do.
We journal about what he does each day!
Our elf reports to Ben (our principal). We named him Jimmy and he is keeping a close eye on the good deeds that we do.
We journal about what he does each day!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Students Tap Their Heads If They Agree
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I love this idea!
You watch Monica Burns, a fourth year teacher, interact with her class as she conducts a lesson. The students hold up their hands if they want to speak and while others are talking, they pat themselves on the head as a signal they concur with what has been said. There is no yelling. No frantic waving of a gaggle of hands. No students blurting out. No put-downs of other student’s responses.
 | Even with an ADHD student or two, Monica teaches class calmly. She conducts class sitting patiently in her chair with only a flip chart to use, while there is calm and happy, yet engaged, learning in her class. Monica teaches a procedure where the student’s tap their own head when theyagree with an answer provided byanother student. |
She teaches this signal in the start of the year when they begin having whole class discussions at their seats or on the rug. These are the reasons she finds this signal effective:
- Gets less outgoing students involved in a discussion.
- Keeps the whole class active even when they are not providing an answer themselves.
- Unites students around a common purpose.
- Supports accountable talk prompts such as, "I agree with __(name)__ because . . . "
- Adds to a discussion by identifying students who do not support another student's answer. ("I noticed that you do not agree with __(name)__.")
- Combats a student's frustration from not being called on; an alternative to slamming one's hand on a desk or sighing heavily. ("Show me that you had the sameanswer . . . ")
- Stops students from calling out, "I knew that!" or "I had that answer!"
- Identifies who is not paying attention; holding all students accountable for participation.
From Teacher.Net
Monday, November 26, 2012
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Mocha was a flying purple people eater for Halloween. It was a lot of work as you can tell from the picture!
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Saturday, November 17, 2012
Don't Let Your Students Raise Their Hands!
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Edudemic published, Three Reasons Why Students Should Not Raise Their Hands and I am going to start using it next week.
Summary: Instead of raising hands or calling out, follow these guidelines:
The students pair then share- This takes the anxiety off one student and helps to strengthen their ability to use resources.
Draw a name out of a cup using Popsicle sticks or chips. This way you won't be calling on someone who is off task or who you know has been following along.
I don't know doesn't get you off the hook and it is not an embarrassment. How many times have you had to look up a word in the dictionary to spell it? Just yesterday we were talking about adjectives and how they describe personalities. I brought up the word loquacious and I grabbed the dictionary! They can get help from another student, a book, or you. They will be responsible for the final answer.
Check out the full article here. Three Reasons Why Students Shouldn't Raise Their Hands
Summary: Instead of raising hands or calling out, follow these guidelines:
The students pair then share- This takes the anxiety off one student and helps to strengthen their ability to use resources.
Draw a name out of a cup using Popsicle sticks or chips. This way you won't be calling on someone who is off task or who you know has been following along.
I don't know doesn't get you off the hook and it is not an embarrassment. How many times have you had to look up a word in the dictionary to spell it? Just yesterday we were talking about adjectives and how they describe personalities. I brought up the word loquacious and I grabbed the dictionary! They can get help from another student, a book, or you. They will be responsible for the final answer.
Check out the full article here. Three Reasons Why Students Shouldn't Raise Their Hands
If you have been using popsicle sticks, you HAVE to try this! Fun Stuff!
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Favorite Read Aloud Linky
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| Hosted By: Teaching Happily Ever After Thanks for Hosting the Read Aloud Linky! |
This is a great book for the beginning of the year. There are friendship themes as well as courage and self confidence. You can connect it to Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.
Quick read and super fun!
I love this character that Lois Lowry creates- Gooney Bird is a master at spinning stories!
Friday, October 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
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This is a great resource from Everything Etsy. Everyone can use some of these tags, notes, and labels!
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| Select to go to Everything Etsy |
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Project Based Learning Site
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Great website by Anne Shaw dealing with Project Based Learninghttp://www.21stcenturyschools.com/Project_Based_Learning.htm
Thursday, October 4, 2012
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