How can I incorporate play-based learning into my classroom, even if it’s not the primary instructional method?
I loved teaching science and one of my favorite sections of science with severe weather. Before moving to South Carolina, I didn't experience much severe weather in Pennsylvania other than a few blizzards growing up. Once I moved here, I realized how valuable this lesson in science truly was. I have attached a planning guide and rubric from when I taught severe storms. I have done this a number of ways, but this refers to a board -- we had Discovery Education so students could create 'boards' to share this information. This also easily done in PPT, Canva, or any other computer tool (if you have great ideas on how to present this, please add below!). You can also have students use paper to create this! Some students have created pamphlets before and they've been just as creative!
Is there anything you would shy away from when teaching special education students about phonics and using individual syllables?
How would you introduce students to plotting points on a coordinate plane for the first time?
Immerse them in the experience. Using painter's tape(much better than masking tape for removing it cleanly) create a coordinate plane on the floor. Then make a game out of it having them move from the x negative and positive to the negative and positive . Have them go back to their seat and provide them drawing paper and have them draw the plane they moved through. Give them a game piece, or using their fingers and have them do the same thing in 2 dimensions. The next day, have them use that same drawing to label their lines with positive and negative numbers and the x and y. (Using graph paper will help them keep the numbers even spaced. Now using colored pencils have them mark dots/points of coordinates within the plane paying particular attention the the 0,0 or 0,-5 point types.
How would you plan a lesson about discussing ways people can improve communities for a kindergarten class?
How do you effectively co-plan lessons with a co-teacher to ensure equal participation?
One of the ways that I encourage other teachers to incorporate quick whole-body movements into their daily routine is to weave in easy songs, chants, and movements throughout the day, every day. Turning your lunch menu into a song, weaving in easy aspects from occupational therapists (i.e. 3 crab walks), and simple call and response approaches help students stay engaged and motivated.
How do you keep students engaged when transitioning between activities in the classroom?
What are some of your favorite websites or publishers of early reading reader’s theater you love?
How do your teams plan together? Is there one teacher that takes the lead more than others or do you all collaborate together?
Do you have outdoor classroom or garden space at your school? How do you use the space and who cares for the space?
We are trying out Delta Math this summer … do you have any experiences or insight to share for this resource?
Just bought a copy of Beyond Pizza and Pies -- a professional book about fractions! I dove in yesterday and I'm already excited about what I'm learning.
Has anyone read this? What are your thoughts? Also any other good resources for helping 3rd-5th graders learn fractions? This is an area of weakness across our school!
Getting ready for testing for elementary age students: what are some of your favorite review games?
We love to play Stinky Feet -- I simply use a large chart paper with a foot on it and post it notes. As teams answer questions, they get to pick off one of the post-it notes and see how many points are given or taken. (Not always the best for very competitive groups if they lose points so you can just do various amounts of positive points!)
This blog though makes it more technology-interactive: https://theuniqueclassroom.wordpress.com
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How would you plan a lesson for a standard about teaching second grade reading?
How do you manage difficult parents that seem to blame teachers for their child's behavior and absences?
