One thing about teaching in the upper grades if you do, or say, something off-beat they tend to remember it. Even if it is completely unintentionally off-beat, or strange, or quirky, or weird, they’ll
As any experienced teacher understands, the consistent implementation of classroom procedures serve as the foundation for a productive and fruitful school year.
I recommend laying a strong foundation for fractions before starting the actual fractions unit. A few weeks in advance I begin to incorporate fractions into everyday classroom activities and discussions.
For instance, during a reading session, I might might ask students how much of the book they’ve completed, fostering an intuitive understanding of fractions as parts of a whole. In art, the teacher might divide paper or canvases into fractions to create symmetrical designs which can visually demonstrate the concept. During snack time or lunch, teachers can use food items like pizzas or sandwiches to illustrate fractions in a tangible manner. Integrating fractions into story problems in math lessons about other topics can also help. This approach not only primes students for the upcoming unit but also shows them the practical, every day use of fractions, making the formal introduction smoother and more relatable.
HOME BLOG Blog SHOP Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest Enhancing Learning Experiences: Harnessing the Power of Visuals in Your Classroom Today, I’m thrilled to share how QR codes have transformed my classroom, especially when tackling
Visuals have the power to engage, inspire, and enhance learning experiences for students of all ages. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using visuals in your classroom and provide practical tips on how to effectively integrate them into your teaching practice.
It is also important that when you put the board up you secure it well. We all know how students like to brush up against hallway walls. If your board is not attached well, parts are going to fall off, show wear or even tear. I am constantly adding extra staples throughout the year, to keep the board intact.
One strategy I use after having taught a mathematical concept, is to provide a step-by-step resource that the students can access whenever they need help with a concept. This may be in the form of a poster on the classroom wall, in their math journal or it may be a PDF that is stored in a resource folder on Seesaw, Google Classroom or Canvas.
I have been using Boom Cards in my classroom for a few years. My students never seem to get tired of practicing a math skill when they are using Boom Cards.
These unique self-checking task cards offer students a versatile platform to practice a wide array of math concepts.
The first question on the state assessment was a simple one: “What is the product of 2 and 3?” To my dismay, many of my students did not know the answer.
As a teacher, it is usually fairly easy to see what is causing the breakdown when watching a student engaged in completing a math task.
Math task cards are simple yet powerful tools that can transform the way math is practiced and learned. They’re not just pieces of paper with math problems; they’re gateways to active, collaborative, and creative learning experiences that can benefit students of all abilities.
As educators, we understand the importance of teaching math concepts to our students. However, equally important is ensuring that these concepts are not just learned but also retained over time. Math skills are like muscles; they need regular exercise to stay strong. That’s where the power of review and practice comes into play.
So often in math, students find themselves ‘hung up’ on a skill. They are at a standstill and have no idea to do next. When this happens not only is the student not engaged in learning, but there is a very good chance they will find a friend or two and together they will become engaged in chaos.
Third, I make a promise to each of my students that if they work hard in math…even when it is so difficult that all they want to do is run away and cry, I guarantee them they will improve and be able to complete math tasks they never thought possible.
In the upper elementary grades I have found that doing a class sociogram the first week of school provides a great deal of valuable information. Sociograms are not anything new. As a matter of fact, it was teacher, who has long since retired, that first introduced the concept to me.
My kids love to play this fun game! The game of SKUNK, that is!
Early in my teaching career, I changed my bulletin boards every month. And, I am not going to lie, I enjoyed it!
I am not sure I know many humans that display more resilience, adaptability, and face more challenging environments daily than educators. So long story short, the cactus represents values and qualities that align with the journey of students and educators alike.
Sometimes all they need is one quick redirection from you and they are able to complete the task. Yes, it can be that simple! And, guess what? You have intervened!
By implementing a Pineapple Chart in your elementary school, you create a collaborative culture that supports professional growth and encourages teachers to learn from one another. This tool promotes a sense of shared responsibility for student success and contributes to a vibrant and supportive learning community.
The Pineapple Chart promotes a supportive and collaborative environment, enhancing teaching practices and benefiting both teachers and students.
Facebook Twitter Youtube Pinterest Empower Your Students With An Exponents and Powers of Ten Fold-Up Resource My 5th grade students always seem to struggle to remember all the various ways we can write the
Rethinking Interactive Math Journals When interactive math journals or notebooks first became popular, I was all in. I would create resources for my students math journals. Those resources required my students to assemble before