Thursday, November 15, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Tips and Ideas for Math and Science Small Groups
Grouping
For math, after teaching whole group lessons, have students work at various stations while others are being worked with individually or in small groups. When placing students in groups for math, it's important to have them grouped by abilities. However, when students are in independent stations, they can be grouped by mixed abilities, so "the blind are not leading the blind". However, on occasion, try "fun" partner stations where students wisely choose their own partners. When students are with peers they can connect with, learning becomes more enjoyable, and students perform better at station activities.
For science experiment days, mixed-abilities grouping is best. Students rotate through three independent stations and one teacher/experiment station. The teacher station is focused on behavior and what combination of students will keep center rotations flowing smoothly and effectively. After teaching an introductory mini-lesson or showing a short video clip to introduce the objective and experiment of the day, explain the activity in each station and the fun begins! Each station lasts about 10 minutes, depending on the experiment and the group, for a total of 40 minutes of class time. Doing the same experiment in a whole group setting might take almost 30 minutes.
Center/Station Ideas
"Have fun and the learning will come" is a great motto to follow! Centers are great places to see fun and learning in action. Mix fun with student-led activities, and that's when real learning magic occurs!
For math, try Multiplication Jenga by Rachel Lynette of Minds in Bloom :
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Or, have fun with Math Facts Bottle Caps:
Also, Twister can be used in a variety of fun ways:
For science, students complete a variety of independent activities. Some are based on journal responses from interactive notebooks or from student computers with games from Quia.com. Science vocabulary is tough for many students, but especially for Spanish immersion kids, so provide different opportunities to practice speaking and vocabulary during independent stations. Some activities may include:
Accountability
What are some tips you have to make math and science small-group learning effective?
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Saturday, November 10, 2012
Featured Teacher: Aaron Toler
1. What
is your most memorable field trip experience?
My most memorable field trip was taking my students to the
Science Museum in my city along with the Science teacher. The students were
able to see the science they had been learning about and teach me about it. It
was fun to be a student and allow the students to be the teacher!
2.
What is something you have learned from your time on Teachers Pay Teachers?
I have learned that teachers are some of the most creative
people around. Teachers love to share what they make with each other. I have
learned that teachers love to teach
3.
What book inspired you as a student?
"To Kill a Mockingbird." I still quote this book
to my students. There are so many valuable life lessons in it.
4. What is something you would like to
see in the future, for education?
I would like to see actual teachers more involved in the
legislation of schools and curriculum rather than government officials who have
not been in the classroom.
5.
What is something fun about you that teachers don't know about you?
I write songs about the material I am covering in class and
make music videos for them to help them learn the topic a little better.
Here is one....
6.
What is an achievement, in education or otherwise, that you have accomplished?
This year I became a National Board Certified Teacher in
Adolescent and Young Adult Social Studies and History. This was one of the most
rigorous and rewarding processes I have ever been through. I spent hours
studying and analyzing student work and preparing lessons that would challenge
my students. The entire process of becoming certified took close to 3 years and
nothing in my teaching career has challenged me as much as this process.
7.
What was your first 'Free' item that you posted up on Teachers Pay
Teachers? What made you choose that?
The first free item I posted was a Wordsearch I made
over the French and Indian War. I was absent from school one day because of
illness and needed a quick filler for the substitute so I used this. There
isn't a whole lot to it but as I have figured out over the years sometimes the
best classroom management is keeping students busy.
8. What was your first 'Paid' item that
you posted up on Teachers Pay Teachers? What made you choose that?
The first paid item I posted was "Who Wants to be a
Millionaire? Review Game." I had just used it in my classroom for the
first time and my students absolutely loved it! They loved the sound effects
and were actively engaged in the lesson throughout the class. So I put it on
TpT without a whole lot of expectations and it has become one of my best
sellers! I still use it in my class and am thrilled that many other teachers
are using it as well.
9. Your favorite teaching quote is...
"Speak little. Do much."
10. What is your 'Go To' time filler?
In the classroom when I want to fill some time I have my
students do "Focused Free Writes." They write for 3 minutes without
stopping about whatever topic I choose. I then have students share their
writing with others around them. They compare and talk about their writing and
then write again for another minute. It is a great activity to make sure your
students are understanding the material you are covering in class and it only
takes about 5-10 minutes. You can spend as much time discussing their writing
as you like. Anytime I need to fill time I have my students write and discuss
because learning always takes place in these situations and it gives them an
excuse to talk to each other and not get in trouble which they love!
Aaron Toler
"3 Week Revolutionary War Unit:
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50 American History Lessons for $30
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Saturday, October 27, 2012
Featured Teacher: Jessica C
1.
How long have you been on Teachers Pay Teachers? What made you decide to be a part of it?
I have been on Teachers Pay Teachers for a little
over a year. I decided to become part of Teachers Pay Teachers when several of
my peers gushed over items I had made to use in my classes. I stumbled upon it
when looking for some creative ideas for teaching The Hunger Games (special
thanks to Tracee Orman for her amazing unit).
2.
When did you know that you wanted to be in education?
This will probably sound cliché, but I have
always wanted to be a teacher. I always pretended to play school with my dolls.
My passion for education was ignited further, however, when I traveled to China
to teach English during college.
3.
How are you currently involved in education?
I am currently a first year teacher teaching at
an international school in China. I will be here for two years. All of my
students are ELL's who are taught in full immersion for the entire school day.
It is a little daunting at times, but I love my students.
4.
What would be your advice to people who are considering joining
Teachers Pay Teachers?
For anyone who is considering joining Teachers
Pay Teachers I would say to go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything
to gain. Including a good community and probably a little extra money in your
pocket.
5.
What has been a highlight, thus far, about being on Teachers Pay
Teachers?
The highlight thus far has been the encouragement
I have to do my best for my students. I see so many wonderful ideas that I am
truly inspired to be the best educator I can be.
6.
What is something fun about you that other teachers don’t know?
I was in dance and drama all
through high-school and college. Sometimes when I hear good music I can't help
but to bust a move. You can find me dancing down the grocery aisle and with a
broom while "cleaning" my apartment.
7.
Do you participate in education outside of the classroom? In what type of role?
I am a collaborator with an education forum in
China. China has certain internet restrictions so we have to email all of our
comments and questions. That is a bit of a challenge. I also coach the dance
team and drama guild at our school.
8.
What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
That is a tough question. I would probably be a
travel reporter like Samantha Brown on Great Hotels. I would love to have the
means to travel the globe, and to actually get paid for it would be amazing.
9.
What profession would you not like to do?
A principal, because you have so many things to
think about. I would not like to have that role. I enjoy my classroom way too
much!
10. Who is your favorite author? Favorite educational author? And why?
Wow! I have a list, but if I had to say one I would probably choose
Suzanne Collins or Allie Condie. I am in love with dystopian fiction at the
moment. My favorite educational authors are Tracee Orman, Angela Watson and
Erin Gruwell. These women simply inspire me through their books and lesson
plans.
by
Jessi C
Jessi C
Jessi's Prized Products
Coke
or Sprite Inference and Critical Thinking
This product
was created for an EFL class. It introduces students to critical thinking,
strategy, predictions and/or making an inference. Students play a game and try
to create a strategy, persuade other players and make predictions. This could
be used as an intro to teaching students how to make an inference when reading.
Living
Things Lapbook
12 foldables
to use with a unit on the diversity of living things. We used this product in
my Life Science class as a culminating project at the end of our unit. The
students loved creating their lap-books.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Featured Teacher: Tina McV
1.
How long have you been on Teachers Pay Teachers? What made you decide to be a part of it?
Since December of this year :) I originally signed up in college, but after a burst of long term substituting and a new classroom I never had time to
post (lots of time to buy stuff though!)
Now that I am feeling more settled in my 3rd year of teaching, so I decided
to give it a shot! All the money I'm
making I am saving for my honeymoon this summer :)
2.
When did you know that you wanted to be in education?
My first day of Kindergarten! I have always loved school and taught my
dolls in my closet when I was little :).
3.
How are you currently involved in education?
Grade 2/3 Gifted class teacher
4.
What would be your advice to people who are considering joining
Teachers Pay Teachers?
DO IT!!!
Go for it! It is worth a shot and
I do the "product sold happy dance" every time I get an e-mail
product has sold.
5.
What has been a highlight, thus far, about being on Teachers Pay
Teachers?
Confidence boost that people think my work is
worth paying for! :)
6.
What is something fun about you that other teachers don’t know?
I
secretly love laminating and putting my materials in the bins. It is like the icing on the cake :).
7.
Do you participate in education outside of the classroom? In what type of role?
Not presently.
8.
What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Starbucks Barista
9.
What profession would you not like to do?
Office work.
10. Who is your favorite author? Favorite educational author? And why?
Too many to list!
Tina's Prized Products
Thursday, October 18, 2012
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