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So many kiddos have WH question goals… in some form or another. The ability to answer WH questions is important, in all settings: school, home, in conversation, etc… I knew this, but I always wondered how to teach WH questions without feeling like I was testing the kiddo. I didn’t want to repeat the question […]
Self-reflection is one of the most powerful practices to improve teaching. When you practice self-reflection regularly, it will completely transform your classroom and instruction. Furthermore, self-reflection can take you from being a good teacher to being a great teacher. Are you ready to begin the transformation?
In the past few weeks, I have been flooded with emails from readers that have just read about TPRS® and TCI for the first time on my blog. I am THRILLED. I have always written this blog for teachers that already use TPRS® and other Comprehensible Input strategies in their classes, and it never occured…
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Being the crazy person that I am, I've been at school the last week and a half setting up my classroom even though I won't be returning until November because of my maternity leave. In between the hot gluing and book labeling, I met the person who will be filling in for me while I am out. She's fresh out of college, completed her student teaching, and came to meet me with a list of questions and color-coded notes. She was prepared ... and I was impressed!We got talking about the big picture: curriculum, routines to establish, units to cover. Before leaving, she asked me several questions, but one in particular made me pause...What is your behavior plan? I literally stared at her for a few awkward beats and started flipping through my mental rolodex (youngins, look it up lol). Then it hit me. I don't have one! I don't have one because I don't need one, and why don't I need one???I'm sure most veteran teachers feel this way! Most of us don't have explicit behavior plans, so what do we know, what do we do, that new teachers don't?Tip One: It starts with the first interaction. The first day of school and every day after, I am at the door greeting the kids when they enter my room. I make eye contact, say hello, once I learn it, I say their name, and smile! The first day of school I shake their hands and welcome them into the classroom. THIS IS KEY. If a student tries to enter the room in a way that I do not approve of, I do not let them enter. I literally say these words: That's not how we come into this classroom. Let's try that again. There is no yelling. I keep a pleasant smile, but my tone is strict. They try again, and you bet they enter in a more appropriate way and the correct tone is set. She means business!Tip Two: Loud vs. Quiet My first year teaching I had all these cute call and responses to get the class's attention, but they never worked and I couldn't figure out why. But after observing master teachers I figured it out. When students get loud, new teachers get louder. Master teachers get quieter.I don't know about your house, but in my house if we told our parents something and they were silent, it was WAY worse than if they yelled. Same thing in the classroom. Never, NEVER talk over the students. There are 20+ of them and one of you; they will win every time. The louder they get, the quieter you get. Stand completely still and wait. Wait. Wait. Until every student's attention is on you. It may take a bit, but do it. I normally watch the clock. Standing there waiting can feel like a while, but watch the clock - count in your head 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 minute if it takes that long. As soon as you have everyone's attention, glance around the room and move on. They get it. EVERYONE'S attention matters. It's important that they ALL hear what is about to be said. Once they learn this, they get each other quiet when you call for attention.What to do with the one student who still talks? Use the power of a dramatic entrance!I wear heels every day (another story lol), so if a student continues to talk while I'm waiting, I walk... slowly... click... click... arms crossed... making my way over... until I'm standing next to them. I glance down and wait. No yelling. No scolding. No lecturing. Just waiting. Once they finish, pause a beat, then move on. Continue teaching.This quiet waiting game prevents chaos from ensuing! There is no yelling, no lecturing needed!Tip Three: Know their priorities... Most likely, it's not you. Having taught for almost ten years in a middle school, I can tell you there is no greater influence on tweens than their peers. They are so hyper-conscious of how they appear in front of their friends or classmates - keep this in mind! It can be to your advantage, or if used the wrong way, can be a nightmare.Because of this social awareness, confronting a student's behavior in front of the class is not going to work. Most of the time, they get embarrassed and act out because everyone is watching. Corrections need to be discreet. Walk over to a student's desk. Tap on the desk and in a low voice tell them in a few words what needs to be done. Student playing with something they shouldn't have? Walk over, tap the desk, make eye contact: We're doing xyz now. Wait until you see action, and then keep walking. If they behavior doesn't improve, I normally give the kids one more chance. If after I address them twice there is no change, I ask them to step into the hallway. That is where I will have the conversation about appropriate behavior. But NEVER in front of their peers! That is a sure-fire way to start a hostile relationship with a student.Let's Wrap Up... 1. Set the tone at the start of class2. Keep your voice calm and strong3. Redirect students in a discreet manner I hope these tips help all new teachers or even veteran teachers! They have worked for me with my 7th graders! If you have any tips you'd like to add, please comment below! ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Want more iMrs Hughes? Keep the conversation going on Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram! Be sure to check out my TeachersPayTeachers store for additional resources!
12 interactive and fun games to teach self-control and build self-regulation skills for kids and teens. Strong skills for self-control are the foundation for success in and outside of the classroom.
ESL Vocabulary Workshop - Teach terms and more with different games and activities that will keep students engaged and invested in learning!
This printable Multiplication Strategies Mat helps students clearly see the important relationships between multiplication strategies.
Are you looking for super fun measurement worksheets and activities for kindergarten?? You found them!! Your students will LOVE these hands-on learning activities and fun, extra practice worksheets that teach a variety of kindergarten measurement concepts.
Restorative practices in elementary schools are incredible, but they look a little different than in the secondary levels.
Teach your students how to cite their sources! Newly updated to include MLA 9th edition. This has also been updated for distance learning! Everything is included in an easy-to-use Google Slides document that can be shared digitally with students on a platform such as Google Classroom. MLA style and format for citations includes teaching instructions, practice exercises, interactive notebook flipbook, and many examples. The citations are those your students use the most. I wrote guidelines and examples for citing social media sites such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Have no idea on the rule for citing emojis or emoticons? It's included in this! This IS included in my mega bundle: ALL of my WRITING RESOURCES GROWING BUNDLE. This resource serves as instruction AND includes practice exercises for: • in-text citations: - signal phrases and - parenthetical references - paraphrasing quotes • works cited citations If you've struggled with teaching your students how to document their sources, this pack is for you. Students need to learn early in the writing process that they cannot paraphrase or quote sources without giving credit to the original source. Help them be responsible writers. BONUS: Included is an MLA Works Cited Interactive Notebook Flip Chart Flap Book. This easy-to-use and understand interactive flipbook includes the most popular types of resources your students use as sources. Each entry includes clear examples. The best part about it: NO CUTTING involved! Just print, fold, and staple! *Includes black and white copies!* Other helpful tools you might like: MLA Works Cited Cheat Sheet - EDITABLE! Common Core Informative and Explanatory Writing Bundle Informative/Explanatory Writing: Summarizing a Text Common Core Argument Writing Grades 6-12 Expository Writing "How-To" Presentation and Exercises Compare and Contrast Nonfiction Texts Interactive Notebook Mini Books: Bundle of All 5 Literature & Nonfiction Analysis Interactive Reading Notebook Mega Bundle Created and copyrighted by Tracee Orman
These prefix activities for con-/com-, uni-, and ex- use sentences from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for practice.
Teaching fractions with hands-on manipulatives and activities helps students develop a conceptual understanding that will endure.
These fun and engaging argument games will get your students reading for their analyzing rhetoric unit or their argumentative writing unit! Students will be moving and collaborating while practicing critical argumentation skills!
Quickly imporve your child's handwriting with these FREE HANDWRITING SHEETS! There are 48 fun handwriting worksheets included in this set. Download here!
Following my posts, Following Children’s Interests and What Happens When You Follow a Child’s Interest?, I wanted to clarify the ways in which following a child’s (or group of children’s) interest differs from learning about a given ‘theme.’ I consider there are two major differences Who takes the lead, and How the content is formulated....
Free Graffiti Wall Spelling Printable for use with any weekly spelling list. Great for homework or in class revision.
Teaching empathy is important. In the simplest of terms, empathy is the ability to notice, understand, and share the emotions of others. It is a critical social skill for all people to have. In many ways, empathy is the social skill that paves the way for all other social skills. It helps us to take
Practice Spanish present tense verb conjugations and recreate beautiful art from the Spanish-speaking world at the same time with Conjugarte!
8 ideas to keep students engaged and having fun with a simple worksheet
'The one exclusive sign of knowledge is thorough teaching.' Aristotle Teaching strategies are hit or miss, but these seven teaching strategies are tried and true and pretty easy to practice. These seven teaching habits of an excellent teacher are seven down-and-dirty tips for teaching college students. They are based on Chickering's and Gamson's 'Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education.' Whether you're a college professor or a high school teacher, there are teaching strategies every college professor can work on as you reach your mid-semester stride. Encourage Student/Professor Contact Encourage Student Teamwork Encourage Active Learning Provide Prompt Feedback Emphasize
I’m always looking for ways to let kids practice in class without necessarily even realize that is what they are doing because they are having a little fun doing it. We are working on solving…
Instructional Framework Lesson Plan Template New Madame from instructional framework lesson plan template, image source: pinterest.com
S'Mores themed math activity filled with super cute clipart to keep kids engaged and having fun with Free Math Worksheets for Kindergarten.
One of our favorite fine motor activities for preschoolers? Teaching them to use glue! Practice makes perfect!
I know many set a New Year’s Resolution to learn how to sew, to get better at sewing or try new sewing techniques such as sewing apparel. I also know that many have gifted their children or g…
Make these impressive 3D Salt Dough Maps with your kids to learn about and explore geography and landforms in a tactile, hands-on project!
Daily Math Review: This spiral review is one of the easiest ways to make sure you are covering all of the important math concepts that your students need to know. Perfect for morning work, “bell-ringers,” homework, center work, or test prep. PREVIEW and REVIEW all year long! This resource is designed to be used on a daily basis (Monday-Thursday) for up to 36 weeks. On Fridays, you can assess student learning with these 4th Grade Weekly Math Assessments, which align perfectly to each week's content. This resource is now EDITABLE!!! Easily edit the student pages using PowerPoint
Stinky Feet is a test prep game with a funny name, but it provides a serious review that will leave your students begging for more. Check out this game's simple set up that can be used with any content for any subject area over and over again.
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Kids will have fun practicing writing cursive with these FREE Bible Verses Copywork perfect for elementary age kids.
