How do you reduce test anxiety for state testing?
This year, we are having our younger grades who do not test "adopt" a class and make cards that will be put on our testing students desks each morning.
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As your students walk out the door at the end of the year, what do you want them to remember? Many teachers end their year with a final reflection project. I have seen teachers who do a themed project on a topic that the student is interested in. Some ideas included a specific dog breed, space, tornadoes, surfing, etc. The project included activities using skills that they learned through the year: writing a persuasive paper, an acrostic poem, creating a graph, making a bookmark, historical facts.... They ended their project by presenting them to parents and other classrooms in the school. This project allowed the students to reflect and celebrate their year while using their skills on a topic that was appealing to them.
What kind of activities do you have planned for your students to make the end of the year memorable?
As your students walk out the door at the end of the year, what do you want them to remember? Many teachers end their year with a final reflection project. I have seen teachers who do a themed project on a topic that the student is interested in. Some ideas included a specific dog breed, space, tornadoes, surfing, etc. The project included activities using skills that they learned through the year: writing a persuasive paper, an acrostic poem, creating a graph, making a bookmark, historical facts.... They ended their project by presenting them to parents and other classrooms in the school. This project allowed the students to reflect and celebrate their year while using their skills on a topic that was appealing to them.
What kind of activities do you have planned for your students to make the end of the year memorable?
Do you share infographics with your families? Here is a 1st grade infographic I created for families on our Title One and 31A website! live link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAEVrngZWVU/EpC6uCn__b0alyfLzrzTgg/watch?utm_content=DAEVrngZWVU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor
Are you looking for an easy SEL activity for identifying feelings and emotions? Here is a PDF I created on Canva - use it with playdough, clay, or insert into a heavy duty clear pocket!
This is a chart we use in our building when students come for support - during support time. They put it in one of those clear pockets (heavy duty) and write on it with a dry erase marker. We call it What I Need time
What are your favorite end of year or ABC countdown ideas? We want to change up what we do this year and would love to hear what you enjoy to celebrate the end of the year!
How many are in school for the eclipse? What do you have planned? We are in the path of totality and have a day of learning planned!
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Technology question. Does anyone have a simple spreadsheet or digital checkout system for materials? I am an academic coach and I have materials for teachers to use but not a great way to share with them all of the resources or a good way to check in and out these materials. Any ideas are appreciated!
In my district, we are fortunate to have money allotted each school year. I have two questions.
First, what are some go to ideas or resources you’ve purchased for K-4 math intervention or enrichment?
Second, academic coaches and facilitators, what are your must haves? I have a coach budget and I struggle to find things to purchase each year outside of books. I’d love PD but it’s not that much. Looking for new ideas I can use and share with my team!
What are your favorite apps or other forms of technology you like to use with your students? How do you use them?
How do you teach sight words/heart words/etc., and how do you help them stick in a student’s mind?
What are your favorite strategies for helping younger students develop a good sense of comprehension?
Has anyone used wordless books to help students retell a story? I have found them to be very helpful and engaging for the students. I have had my students to write out the story or verbally retell it. I have used the books Found and The Umbrella to help teach retelling.
Does anyone have any experience with using Canva? If so what have you used it for? I have just began to use it this year. I have created sight word videos and a video about different types of measurement tools.
In intervention groups we have students do 1-2 mins each session of either vision tracking, vision memory/or sequencing, or RAN activities. How do you help your students work on visual skills to support decoding and other reading skills?
The count down to spring break is on in my school. This break brings us great relaxation and joy. Though we love our breaks the true joy of teaching happens with in my school setting! What has been a WIN for you lately? This time of year in first grade we are meeting so many goals and doing things we just knew we’d never do in August. Sometimes it’s as simple as tying a show. Many times it’s finishing a book or a tough math problem on our own, What’s your latest win or anything that’s brought you joy at school ?
Dealing with Difficult Parents
As a teacher, it is inevitable that you will have a parent that is going to challenge everything that you do in your classroom. Unfortunately, teachers will encounter rude, misbehaved and difficult parents. These parents can make us question our decision to become a teacher. Constantly listening to their complaints is tiring and frustrating. As a teacher, you can prepare yourself ahead of time with some strategies.
Share your story! Have you had a difficult parent? What strategies did you use to diffuse the situation?
