Here is a worksheet I get my class to complete the first week. It give me a quick indication of how they listen, follow instructions, whethe...
The personal financial literacy math standards include challenging vocabulary and concepts. Use these 5 tools to make it easier and more fun for kids!
Want a graphic made based on your research? For this year’s Real Time Chem Week, we’re once again after chemistry researchers who want to explain their research in easy-to-understand terms. To enter, all you have to do is write a piece no...
This bundle includes engaging activities to use with ANY book/novel, story, or play. My Literature & Nonfiction Creative Reading Activities, Volume 2 has so many versatile activities for any text!This is my second bundle of literature and nonfiction activities. Check out my first bundle of acti...
Voluntary muscles make the body move. They are attached to the skeleton and can be controlled.#revision #GCSEBond
Kids learn the meaning of numerator and denominator in this fraction terms worksheet. Download to complete online or as a printable!
“A friend… awakens your life in order to free the wild possibilities within you.”
Vikings lapbook. Free Viking lapbook, printables and unit study for homeschoolers. Your kids will love this hands-on unit.
Our guest blogger shares her tips about how to make time for vocabulary instruction and how to make vocabulary instruction engaging for your students!
**UPDATE** You can now find an EDITABLE version of my Long Range Plans, Planning Calendar, and more in my newest Lesson Plan Series of blog posts! So, with the common core being implemented for us next year, I've started revamping my lesson plans to incorporate these changes. I really don't think there's going to be too much to be changed, but it's definitely something I want to knock out this summer! So far, my biggest accomplishment is creating a cover for my new lesson plan binder...hey, it's a start! I know lesson plans are so personalized to teachers and one way doesn't work for all, but I just thought I'd share what I've found works best for me! I used to write weekly plans on a two-page spread that showed all of the subjects and their plans for the week. This worked great for me for years, but then when I moved to my current school our district was moving to the Focused Learning Format for lesson planning (activating strategies, teaching strategies, summarizing strategies). My principal sent out a lesson plan template for us to use and, well, I freaked out! It was NOT in a nice two-page spread so that I could see everything at a glance. *Insert panic, temper tantrum, fit-throwing here* {Pull yourself together, Amanda} Fast-forward to now and these lesson plans are my saving grace!! The format just didn't lend itself to weekly planning, but instead to planning an entire unit at a time. Fine. I could do that. I sat down with my state standards and got to work developing unit plans. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the unit plans! Planning in this way helped me see the big picture; you know what they say..."Begin with the end in mind." I was able to actually see the end of the unit from the beginning which helped me to stay focused and even plan for learning celebrations at the end of each unit. Now, my lesson plans for the year (and year to year) are complete - at least the meat of them. All I have to do is tweak them to continue making them better with new ideas or to meet my students' needs of that year. Here's a glimpse of what is in my binder. First, I must have my standards in one easy to read format with each subject on a single-page. Click the image below for the PDF that includes the following five pages: Reading Common Core, Writing/Language Common Core, Math Common Core, SC Social Studies, SC Science standards. This stays in the front of my binder so that I can highlight standards as they're taught and make notes about reteaching, if needed. Next, I keep a copy of my Long Range Plans. These aren't completed for the upcoming school year since I have to tweak my units and the length of each might change, but you can see last year's below. I also create a yearly calendar to go in the front of the binder that serves as a workable long range plan that I can write daily events on (sorry, the picture below cam out portrait instead of landscape, but you can click it for the PDF). The rest of the binder is dedicated to my lesson plans. I place tabs in the binder with the subject titles and times on them. Then, I just have to flip to that subject to see that day's lesson! How do you manage your lesson plans? What about your files? Do you plan weekly or use unit planning? Share your best lesson plan tips with us! I'll leave you with some pics of my binder "in action."
Certificate to present to pupils as an incentive to allow them to write in pen.
Now that we're more than a month into our first term and I've had a chance to "test drive" our plans, I'm going to do a few posts on what ...
Here are the tips, tools and calculators that can help make sense of all that debt.
The DBT Skills reference sheet includes ALL the Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills you will learn from Marsha Linehan's DBT Skills Handouts and Worksheets book (http://a.co/d/2XXTRj0). This information has been re-typed and organized in a way that is easy to reference every skill from your DBT class or group. This is a two-page PRINTABLE PDF guide to brief descriptions and definitions for every skill in the book. There is space in the margin to hole-punch on this 8 1/2 x 11 page. You can also scale for A4, A5, or half letter - just use your printer settings. This is a digital product, nothing will be mailed. Learn in color! Gray, indigo, green, tan, or pink - get 5 files for the price of 1 *** The original file (gray) is INCLUDED FOR FREE with all of my digital downloads in my shop - purchase on its own here and receive ALL colors. Have a favorite color that's not here? Send me a note! I may be able to create a custom sheet. NOW AVAILABLE: glossy reference sheet, printed and mailed to you! Order here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/847262774 Diary card: https://www.etsy.com/listing/605812385 Crisis plan: https://www.etsy.com/listing/592040470 DBT class notebook for tablets: https://www.etsy.com/listing/607746229 DBT class notebook (physical product!): https://www.etsy.com/listing/607746229 This material references the DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets, Second Edition © 2015 Marsha M. Linehan (http://a.co/d/2XXTRj0) Purchases are for personal use only, not to be distributed. Please contact me if you wish to use this material in a clinical setting, and I will be happy to discuss a license to reproduce.
It was a great day today – 70+ K-12 teachers were hanging out at @ESSDACK, learning from each other and from Adam Topliff, Kori Green, and Lori Rice. All three are Kansas Department of Ed cer…
The digital customer represents a new breed of consumer. While traditional customers are also alive and well, digital customers are elusive, discerning, distracted and proudly narcissistic. To reach and engage these connected customers requires a relevant and informed approach that meets them on their terms, in their communities, in the [...]
You may know that Charlotte Mason assigned her children multiple streams of history each term, but did you know that she assigned them several streams of science as well? Form 1 (grades 1-3) Form 1…
Lesson 9.2 - Current Electricity A comprehensive teaching resource designed to help educators navigate the complex topics of electricity and magnetism. This unit contains various interactive activities, notes, practices and tests that make learning both interesting and insightful. Staring Point: Embark on the journey into electricity with 'Static Electricity Notes (9.1)' which define static electricity, explains how it builds up and gets discharged, along with its role in everyday life. Engage: 'Static Electricity Simulations (9.1)' are perfect tools for concrete comprehension of abstract concepts through visualization. Lecture Mode: The outlined Powerpoint notes prepare you to deliver in a structured manner before the class ensuring smooth knowledge dissipation. Dive Deeper: Advance further into sub-topics like 'Current Electricity (9.2)', where 'Ohm's Law Practice' becomes invaluable & students calculate voltage, current resistance under guidance or during independent practice at home. Alongside is available an intuitive Current Electricity Simulation providing hands-on insight as circuits come alive on screen! Magnetic World: The study of Magnetism (9.3) covers magnets' basic concept with detailed study sheets followed by internet-based research within Magnetism Research Versatility This product is accommodative for different learners' needs suitable for regular classroom or provision for accommodations supplementing small group instructions & homework assignments equally well. Including Comprehensive review: Last but not the least included are comprehensive Unit test papers having true/false type questions based on meticulous chapter-wise segregation preparing optimally per Indiana State Standards 2016. Who Is This For? Ideal for students from grades - 6, 7, 8, to even up till the 12th or even homeschooled students who desire a fun-filled approach in studying science. Lesson 9.2 - Current Electricity
If you are looking for something interactive that incorporates technology to allow your students to practice the ending digraph -ch and trigraph -tch then this is it! Display the interactive powerpoint and review words with the spellings -ch and -tch, allow the students to observe the different pat...
Our English teachers told us to avoid the word “very” because it’s weak and vague. They were right, and many times, we use “very” as a modifier for a word that could easily be replaced with a stronger, more accurate word. This infographic tells you what to use instead. Using big words doesn’t always make […]
Learn how to play the Kaboom game in your classroom to make practicing math facts, sight words, and more a blast for your students!
In today's post, I'll share 10 quick, meaningful “follow-up” activities that you can use in your guided reading lessons - all materials are FREE!
GEOMETRY...it might just be my second favorite unit to teach in math, {second to my love of fractions, of course!} That's why today's post focuses on geometry vocabulary .
Are you crazy for carrots at the moment? I am ALL about the carrot for some reason, and what goes better with carrots than peas?! Today, I teamed them up in this activity to bring a healthy influence to your Easter and maths activities this week! You can click on the image above and download the printable-pieces for this cute little addition activity FREE. This activity will help your students see addition as two parts making a whole number. It is possible to play this game without printing a thing! Just use green and orange counters/chips and any existing numeral cards that you have in your classroom. This is how my recent carrot obsession started around a month ago. LOVE! And yesterday, I saw these plates on sale for $3 on sale. These ones were too nice to pass up, they have cute little frogs on them! If you don't have any - don't worry - I have included a 'printable plate' template in the file. Print the peas, carrots and numeral cards in the file. I want this game for numbers up to 20 - but you can modify it for different needs in your classroom - go up to 30, or down to 10. I laminated mine. Put the peas and carrots into a container. Any will do, but I HAD to use my carrot basket! Ask your student to take a small handful from the basket. If you don't think your students could do this without a fuss, get them to roll a dice or spin a spinner to determine the number to take. The student then sorts the peas and carrots onto their plate. Finds the total, and labels it with a numeral card. The student can then record the number sum on their worksheet! Easy - PEAsy! He he! If you need a cute and simple paper craft for Easter, I just listed this in our store today! And a new addition to our Printable Writing Books set We have listed all our titles so far, in a BIG BUNDLE, as so many people asked us to bundle them. I will continue to add all the new titles to this bundle.
GROUPS OFFERED Organizing Groups by Need Over the years we track the needs of students that can be addressed in small group counseling. Students at all grade levels need social skills. Our school also has many students who need to work on self regulation, these are the students who can't pay attention and those that exhibit behaviors that interfere with the learning of others. We also have an increasing number of students who have internalizing behaviors like anxiety and depression that need support around emotion regulation. Finally, we have students who have difficulty because they are very rigid and need to learn more flexible thinking. These groups now form the core of our small group counseling offerings. We add others as needed and requested (i.e., family change and academic support). Kindergarten Lunch Bunch In the past, I had a visceral reaction to the term "lunch bunch" because many people interpret that is the school counselor just invites anyone who wants to eat lunch in the counseling office. I believe all groups should have a clear goal and competencies - even informal groups with kindergarten. However, over ten years ago the part-time counselor at my school wanted to offer kindergarten lunch bunches and since that was her grade they were added to the counseling program. We agreed the goals were: 1) the students and counselors all get to know one another better; 2) the students would increase familiarity with the counselor, the counseling office and the process of group counseling; 3) the students would learn about uniqueness, feelings, friendship, and problem-solving skills. Participation has grown from about 20 students the first year to approximately 100 by year 4. We decided to just include all our kindergarten students thus eliminating the need for permission slips. With all students coming to lunch bunch there responsibility needed to be shared by both the full-time and part-time counselor. Each small group (we aim for 4 in a group to really get to hear from each member) meets four times spaced out depending on the overall program schedule. The counselor covers the same topics. All sessions include a book and at least one activity (usually a cube or dice game). The sessions are 1) get to know one another and what is special about us; 2) feelings; 3) friendships; and 4) solving problems with friends. Now by the end of kindergarten all students are comfortable coming to the counselors' offices. Newcomers Lunch Bunch Building on the success of the kindergarten groups several years ago we added September Lunch Bunch for new students. We do a Newcomers Welcome Party the first week of school but frequently those groups are large. The goals for the newcomers are the students will increase familiarity with the counselor, the counseling office and the process of group counseling and the students will share their experiences and support one another adjusting to a new school. We typically have two sessions depending on numbers. The first time it might be all new first grade boys and their second session would be the new students plus they get to invite one new friend. If by the end of September a new student does not have a "friend" they feel comfortable inviting, then they need to be screened to see if they need to be invited to a friendship group with the counselor that begin in October. ASD Lunch Bunch Another type of Lunch Bunch we lead (as needed) is to facilitate students with special needs to have positive interactions during lunch. In these cases we invite the whole class of the identified child (usually Autism Spectrum Disorder) to participate in lunch bunch with the counselor. This is only done after consulting with the parents of the child and determining if such a group is needed. The identified child comes every time and we invite the other children whose parents sign permission to come on a rotating basis. This has worked well with several students. In two cases the identified students became successful working in a small group format and were able to participate in regular counseling groups the following school year. Small Psychoeducational Groups The purpose of a counseling group at school is to complement and enhance student learning by helping students improve their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. A psycho-educational group provides a safe setting where children increase their: 1) self-awareness, 2) cooperation and communication skills, and 3) ability to have fun with peers. Children learn from each other and help each other. Ultimately, the goal of an elementary support group is to PREVENT problems in the future by teaching children new skills. The counselors are getting ready to start small groups in late September or early October. To help us prioritize the groups we offer and the order we conduct them we need to know if you are interested in your child participating in a small group with one of us this year. Groups generally meet for 25-40 minutes per week with the number of sessions depends on the purpose and needs of the group. This is our starting list but other groups can be added as needed: Friendship Groups / Social Skill Development (Kindergarten-grade 4) 8 sessions Friendship Groups are a fun way for students in the same grade level to make new friends and practice their social skills in a safe, small group setting. Children are invited to participate in friendship groups for a variety of reasons. A few examples include: a child who is shy or often appears to play alone during free choice time or recess, a child exhibiting behaviors that unknowingly (to the child) “turn off” others, a child who repeatedly complains of not having any friends, a child who has a hard time initiating friendships, a child who lacks self-confidence, and/or who needs a confidence boost, or a child who is very accepting and easily befriends other children (always a very beneficial addition to a group). Role models are welcome! Howard B Wigglebottom Group (Grade 1) 8 sessions This group is designed to be offered the second semester of first grade for boys to build relationships learn to problem solve in prosocial ways. The goals are members will 1) increase feeling word vocabulary; 2) practice strategies to communicate with peers and problem-solve; and 3) give and get support in a social setting. The materials for the group are available free at the web site wedolisten.org I have the set of 12 books which I prefer to use instead of the online session because it is easier to stop and pause for discussion with a hard copy of the book. We use a book (select the ones that best meet the needs of the particular group of students) for each session except the first and last. I have posted the session plans for the first 2 sessions including the pre-assessment I use for the group. Boys love these books! Emotion Management (Grades 1-5) 8-9 sessions If group meets at lunch we need at least one more session These groups are designed to assist children in developing strategies to help them understand their feelings and put them in perspective so they can better relax, cope, learn and have fun with friends. The child who might benefit from being in this group may worry a lot, may show a great deal of resistance to try new experiences, may often seem anxious, have a lot of fears and/or make frequent trips to the nurse for headaches and tummy aches. Children who exhibit one of the above, or a combination, can develop understanding and coping strategies in a fun, safe environment. I call the groups titles like Worry Wise, It's OK, or Chill. Here is a sample of a pre-group survey I use for grades 3-5. Self-Regulation (Kindergarten - Grade 2) 8 sessions By utilizing the principles of learning such as modeling, role-playing, feedback and transfer students will be taught prosocial behaviors. Children will be encouraged to “think before they act” by providing them with new skills, sufficient practice and reinforcement in their home and school environments. Changing Families (Grade 1-4) 8-9 sessions Family change groups are for students whose family is something other than the traditional mom, dad, and child(ren). These groups are beneficial to students by enabling them to meet other children going through a similar experience. Many students find comfort in discovering they are “not the only one” in the school with a family that has experienced a change or does not look like the families of most of their classmates. Students also develop a greater comfort discussing feelings and skills they might need to express themselves. Study Skills and Organization Groups (Grades 3-5) 8-9 sessions Being successful in school and building a solid academic foundation is important to future success. Based on the specific needs of the group skill building activities will be taught, practiced, encouraged, structured, and maintained for children to be successful. These skills may consist of listening, focusing, being organized, using time efficiently, knowing how to study, completing homework, knowing how to take tests, and maintaining a good attitude are all essential skills for school success. Students who did not pass a SOL test or had grades below expectations last year are strongly encouraged to participate. Ideas for Small Groups Music "Music is what feelings sound like." STAR and other songs These CDs from http://consciousdiscipline.com/resources/song_lyrics.asp can be used in large or small groups. There are several options for learning about emotions and how to manage strong feelings. Using music in groups helps students remember the concepts taught and by activating another part of the brain! Accordion Paper Person Adjectives About Self This activity, Accordion Paper Person, is a favorite with third graders. I use it in groups but it could easily be adapted to a class lesson. In the first session after we do an icebreaker and pre-assessment our brainstorm words that can be used to describe third graders. I aim to have at least 20 adjectives so that members who struggle with writing have a variety to use. The paper is folded so they write 8 words that describe self. I was smiling when I did this activity yesterday because the "typical peer" I had included in the group described himself on one of the folds as "role model." They draw their own face on the head cut out and add some pre-cut arms and legs. Emotional Pie When working with members on labeling emotions, one good technique is draw their "emotional pie" to represent how much of the last week they felt a variety of feelings. Some may have a big slice of happy, but others will show they have been proud or angry a lot. The members share as much as they want about what they drew on their white boards.This can be done as a check in too. Rainbow Activity These ideas are adapted from the pictures I saw on Pinterest. First and second graders love rainbow activities and they can be used to review a variety of ideas we want children to learn in groups. The advantage of making an appealing art project to review is it is likely the members will want to take them home to share with families, discuss, and even display. For a boys group learning about types of feelings you can do the face with spikey hair. For a girls group on friendship qualities I did 5 qualities they have and two they want to work on after the group ends (goals). There are many more possibilities. I always prepare the materials ahead of time because I want to spend plenty of time doing the art project and have time to process with discussion. I have had many students a year later say this was their favorite activity and that they saved it. Cooperation and Communication This is always a good activity with groups to foster communication and cooperation. They can pass compliments or ask questions and pass the ribbon to another member to work together to make a shape (shapes vary depending on number in group). Especially with boys activity-based exercises are needed to keep psycho-educational groups engaging and fun.
