We are experiencing a lot of spring thunderstorms here in Oklahoma, which means inside recess. Oh my. Those two words used to swirl me into a completely bad mood, knowing that the kids would want to get caught up in some digital device, which I can’t stand. Or worse yet, would complain that they were […]
games
Posted inElementary School
Using Board Games In The Classroom
I remember when I was little I loved to play board games. Growing up as an only child though, it was difficult to find someone to play with. I drove my parents crazy with Monopoly, Hi-Ho Cherrio and Sorry, then I moved on to checkers and chess as I got older. In the age of […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Harnessing Competition
I have a room full of highly competitive students. Most of them are first born or only children and their natural wiring towards competition can drive a teacher crazy! Instead of trying to stifle their exemplary leadership skills, I use it for my advantage. Not to the point of pitting one against the other, but […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Easing Those First Day Jitters
It is so important to make our students feel comfortable upon the first day of school. We need to remember the backgrounds that our students come from. And we can’t assume that just because we have kids in the middle class that they are coming from homes that have everything together. We also need to […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies
Carpet Time For Young Learners
In my multi-level, elementary classroom carpet time is one of the most important times of our day. Carpet time allows me to see my kids demonstrate whatever concepts we are working on and allows positive learning interaction between my students. I design my carpet time around language arts and math. My language arts concentration is […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured
The Reigning Terror of Indoor Recess
Oklahoma has been hammered this spring with thunderstorms, flash flooding and, the song of my people, tornadoes. This type of weather creates what some teachers cringe at-INSIDE RECESS. Giving kids a little too much free time when they are already cooped up is usually a catastrophic combination for those schools that still get recess time. […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies
Ways to Review after the Test
The test is over. There are looks of relief in your students’ eyes, but the panic begins in your chest. Did they do well? Did they understand the concept? You grade as quickly as you can and hand back papers. The questions begin and the students chat comparing answers. There is never enough time for […]
Posted inFeatured, Parents
Vocabulary: Something to Talk About
Research shows a connection between early elementary students’ word knowledge and reading comprehension in both early elementary school and throughout upper grades (Juel and Deffes, 2004). As a fourth grade teacher and parent of three, I see this connection every day. I am often asked, “What can I do for my kids at home? What […]