Highlights

Hands on Learning

One strategy I use with all my classes is self-discovery of appropriate concepts using hands on learning activities. I am sure to give students clear expectations, a task, and groups to discover,observe,and discover things for themselves. It is my goal to get students as involved in their own learning and to take responsibility for their learning. I often use this strategy in math, science, and S.T.E.M activities in my classroom.

Meaningful Literacy

My first year teaching I helped to organize a "book tasting". The objective of this activity was to invest students in becoming readers who think about their reading. Students did a book report on their book and then shared it with others. They also created a "To be read" list of their own!

Real World Learning

It is important to me that students see where they will use the knowledge. If possible, students will explore real world examples to use or discover what they learned in class.

Classroom Management Strategies

Something that has worked for me through my years of teaching is a management strategy called "Beat the Teacher". Students are invested in listened to me because they want to beat me, their teacher. While giving the students five seconds to complete the task I gave them (sitting down, putting things away, etc...). If all students were successful they received a point, if all students were not successful then I received a point. At the end of the day, if they beat me, they would earn a pom pom in their bucket for a bigger reward once that was full. The students loved this competition and made for great rapport with the students.

Hiking and Extra Curricular Activities

My hobbies often allow for personal stories and real life examples in the classroom. These activities have allowed me to connect with students. I am able to draw on these experiences to engage the students. This year we are making a class book on the states and we also did research of National Parks around the 50 states. I was able to tell stories and experiences to get students interested in these projects.

Have fun!

As a reward for working hard and being a "bucket fillers" students vote on a class dress up day. They love choosing this several time throughout the year. It creates a great classroom environment and a goal to work towards. Student have choice in this reward giving more incentive for positive behavior. We have had comfy day, beach day, hat day, extra reading time, and other great options. Students look forward to earning this reward and enjoy coming to school for it.

Google Sites

Report abuse