Recently our district began professional training that focuses on Classroom 180 - Trauma informed classrooms. What professional training or resources are your favorites?
https://www.classroom180.com/
What are some classroom management rituals or practices that you start at the beginning of the year?
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What are some of your most effective methods for building a positive classroom community?
How do you teach opinion writing to 1st and 2nd graders? I like to use graphic organizers to help my students to organize their thoughts. I also like to introduce it with a book called Duck! Rabbit! This book really gets the students to think about why they see what they see. I also like to discuss the different seasons with my students and have them decide which one they like best. I tell them to think about what they can do, see ,eat and celebrate to help them decide on which season they like best.
What’s a good assessment for a standard about understanding the difference between perspectives within characters?
So, it has been a while since I have been on this platform as a coach. I did not want to seem like a hypocrite. I have been teaching a long time and this year seemed to be extremely difficult all around. I felt that if I were to give advice, it would be hollow and just mundane. However, while I was reflecting on my year and cleaning my room, I happened upon a box, a time capsule if you will. In it were my goals that I set as a first year teacher. There were also notes and cards from students and parents. One particular note was from a student who thanked me for listening. He wrote that he never felt heard until he was in my class. This letter renewed my spark into a flame.
As you reflect on your teaching, remember why you decided to teacher. My focus became about me and I reminded myself that the students are my focus. My goal should be to help at least one more.
Teaching is a tough job. But the rewards outweigh the struggle. I almost lost that hope. Stay strong teachers!
A lesson hook is a short opening to a lesson. It should grab your students’ attention and leave them wanting to learn more. Hooks can prepare your students for the content they will be learning.
A good lesson hook strategy can make all the difference when it comes to engaging students and maximizing their learning. You can use your lesson hook to establish connections between existing knowledge and the new content.
Any break from the ordinary can be exciting. Change your learning setting to get students engaged and excited for what’s to come.
There are tons of lesson hooks that you can use and find online. Here are some ideas:
Theme your classroom for the lesson (posters, learning centers, bulletin boards, etc.)
Use “feely” boxes or bags
Create a survey and graph the results
Use music
Guest speaker
When I first started teaching, I had all types of catchy phrases to get students attention (elementary school students loved it!). A few years ago, I read something that changed my direction when it came to this. Instead of trying to get their attention by them responding in some way (verbally or with an action like clapping), I say, "if you can hear my voice, take a deep breath and let it out slowly and silently." Most of the time, after once (maybe twice) of saying this, students are quiet and have slowed down their nervous systems with a deep breath. Even when we're working independently, I will do it. Just to give students a chance to breathe deeply and give their minds a break. Have you tried this? What else do you use to get students attention that has worked well or what have you used to give your students a mindfulness break?
Does your district operate under a modified calendar? What is your start and end date? What would your ideal school year calendar look like?
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What professional development opportunities have you found to be the most valuable in your teaching career?
FREE SEL Resources for quick check-in/s and support: https://www.ginapepin.com/_files/ugd/5fe563_dde7da71d3674f06a3764b08ee207c3e.pdf
How do you hold your students accountable during math centers? I give my students notebooks and they have to show how they solved math word problems or math fact families.
I was looking for things for some new teachers for math talk and I came across this list. Are there any you would add or change?
Algebra Readiness: How can you help students understand the concept of variables when they are just beginning to learn algebra?
In my experience, this can be done early on with students learning basic addition and subtraction facts. One of the things that I often do with my math intervention students is discuss the importance of an equal sign. I will do this by incorporating a scale and have them put manipulatives (bears, base ten blocks, counters, etc) in both sides to show that equal amounts are on both sides and that the scale balances. Then we talk about missing addend problems (3 + ____ = 7) and we build it, with 7 on one side, 3 on the other and they add the manipulatives until it balances. Once we do this, I will put an object (or a letter) in for the blank (3 + a = 7) and we discuss that a=4. This is a great way to set up students for success later on!
What ideas do you use to help students?
