What foundational skills should I focus on to prepare students for success in algebra?
Students need to understand the foundational principles of algebra that include properties for each of the operations and the idea of substitution in variables. Order of operations is also a pivotal skill for Algebra. The key to understanding is knowing that algebra involves equivalencies. Because this can often be very abstract for most upper elementary students, providing as much context as possible makes it easier. I HIGHLY recommend https://borenson.com/product/the-hands-on-equations-learning-system/
It is well worth the investment to purchase this kit for your students to teach the parts of an equation and how to solve algebraic expressions.
What professional development opportunities have you found to be the most valuable in your teaching career?
What are some engaging activities or games to help students better understand fractions?
How can I integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into my daily lessons without it feeling forced or out of place?
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What are some strategies for helping students catch up after they’ve missed several days of school?
What are some do’s and don’ts for emailing parents, colleagues, and administrators?
How do you organize your classroom to maximize student learning and minimize distractions?
What are some strategies for teaching students to organize their writing and develop a strong thesis statement?
A quality assessment tool is one that accurately measures what it is intended to measure, provides consistent results, and is fair to all students regardless of their background. The key elements that contribute to the quality of an assessment tool are validity, reliability, and the minimization of bias. How do you ensure the tools you are using to assess your students meets all of these requirements?
Supporting teachers in finding the right materials to meet learning objectives is essential, and obtaining grants is a key strategy for accessing external funding. One way to do this is by researching a literacy grant available in your state, which can provide significant benefits to teachers and schools. Understanding the advantages of receiving such a grant and knowing how to apply for it can empower educators to enhance their instructional resources and better meet the needs of their students. What grants have you had experience with - good or bad - and what insight can you share?
Consider a teacher who wants to introduce a text that includes content that might be sensitive or upsetting for some students. How should the teacher prepare to address potential issues that students might have due to their prior experiences, while also fostering a sense of safety and respect in the classroom? What steps would you recommend for the teacher to take in order to ensure that both students and parents are adequately prepared for the content of the text?
Those first moments when you see your class and they see you for the first time can be nerve-racking for students and teachers. How do you structure the first interaction with your new students? Do they wait for you in line or enter the classroom before the "official" start of school? What does this look, feel, and sound like?
How do you decide what dramatic play areas to set up in your classroom and how do you choose what goes in them?
What read aloud books do you guys use for 5th graders?
How Can You Make IEP Students Successful in Your Classroom?
Even though you may not have a degree in special education, it is likely that you will have students in your classroom that have an IEP. These students can be just as apprehensive as you might be. As their teacher, you have the power to turn this apprehension into something positive. What can you do to make their year successful? Here are a few tips:
Work with the special education team for ideas and strategies.
Get to know them and find out their strengths. Utilize these strengths as you are working with them.
Break things down into smaller chunks – this will help to make things more manageable and provide steps of successful tasks. The more success they have- the more confident they will become.
Working with students who have learning needs can often be challenging. Be aware of your body language and your voice – this might influence the other students’ attitude toward them. You want all your students to feel that each one brings something unique and special to the classroom.
Celebrate each success your students have, no matter how small they are. There is no better feeling than seeing the joy of their accomplishments.
What ideas can you add to this list?
What are your favorite back to school read alouds or picture books for elementary students?
What are the first science topics or units you teach in the new school year?
