Motivation and Management Archives - Page 12 of 15

10 Ways You Can Model Learning in Your Classroom

February 23, 2016 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Do you model learning in your classroom or school? Educators have the opportunity and responsibility to be a both a catalyst and a role model for learning. You can show them how it’s done, demystify the process and empower learners.

Being a model for learning requires that you open yourself up to vulnerability. As educators, we sometimes think we need to know it all- or at least know more than our students. When you admit that you don’t know something and then proceed to talk about how you will find out, you are demonstrating that learning is a life -long process rather than a body of content knowledge to be consumed.

Here are some easy ways you can share your learning with students:

1) Make your learning processes evident by thinking out loud. “I don’t know where the Heilongjiang River is. Let’s go look at a map of China and see if we can find it.” Share your learning struggles, and how you work through them.

2) Read during silent reading time. Model good reading habits. Laugh, smile, hold your breath at a scary part, groan a little when it is time to stop. Let them see that you enjoy reading. The more students read, the better they will read. Know that if you want to create readers, your actions are more powerful than your words. Grading papers or putting up a bulletin board during silent reading time sends the message of “do as I say, not as I do.”

3) Talk about things you learned while watching television. When a discussion about migration comes up, you can share that you watched a National Geographic special about the great migration in Africa where thousands of animals move across the plains in search of better food and water. Students are going to watch television- you can model some better options.

4) Ask open ended questions. When questions have a right or wrong answer, there is less possibility for dialogue. Ask for students’ opinions and share yours. Ask how they do things. Open yourself up as a learner by being genuinely interested in students’ ideas. Learning requires give and take- don’t just give information to students, seek it from them as well.

5) Be open about your technological issues. Technology is an area where everyone has had difficulties. When glitches occur, use it as an opportunity to ask for help. Share the ideas you have for solving the problem and how you will learn for the future. Technology changes rapidly, therefore it is a great place to demonstrate that we never master the content and there is always something to learn.

6) When you attend a conference or training, share a little of that knowledge with students. They might like to know that you are learning more strategies to help them with math, or new understandings about the brain that make everyone learn better.

7) When you don’t know something, and don’t have time to address it in the moment, promise that you find out and get back to them. Follow through.

8) Don’t just assign writing tasks, model how to write. Use your smart board and write together, demonstrating the process you use and sharing processes they use. One teacher shared how she used sticky notes to jot down important ideas when she researched something and the next day looked up to see students busy writing on sticky notes.

9) Bring in experts. This shows that not only are you not an expert in some areas, but that you are excited to learn new things. Your community is full of people with expertise you don’t have. Reach out to local experts and invite them in, more often than not they are happy to share their knowledge with students. The energy and enthusiasm will likely be contagious!

10) Be curious. One of the most joyful things about learning is following where your curiosity takes you. Children are naturally curious and want to explore things that interest them. If you have ever seen a young child intently watching an insect, you have witnessed curiosity in action. Don’t get so wrapped up in all of your responsibilities that you forget to be curious.

As a teacher, you can’t be the expert in everything, but you can be the expert in learning. You can make your classroom a place where everyone enjoys learning together, and that is a fun and rewarding place to spend your days.

What learning strategies do you use to model learning in your classroom? We would love to hear your ideas!

Happy learning,

11 Ways to Help Students Fall in Love with Writing

February 16, 2016 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Do you struggle to help your students become engaged with writing? Textbook exercises and worksheets teach skills, but don’t give students any reason to care about the writing skills they are learning. We have all done the rote task of underlining the nouns once and the verbs twice. This kind of work does not inspire a love of writing.

Consider teaching one or two necessary skills in a mini- lesson, and then engaging students in writing for real reasons and real audiences. These activities will allow students to practice and refine their skills while creating content that they will enjoy and find relevant, which increases their motivation to use and remember the skills they are taught. Any of these activities can easily include school, state or Common Core English Language Arts standards.

1. Arrange for students to interview nursing home residents to capture details about the residents life or life in the past. Students then write up their stories in the form of a biography or historical essay. After revising and editing, students can share stories with the resident.

2. Allow students to write a play or skit with content from any of their content area curriculum. Students will be working with both content information and writing conventions. Encourage great headlines too. Imagine your classroom coming alive with The Time Travels of George Washington or DNA Rock Stars: Watson and Crick Live! The chance to perform is often extremely motivating.

3. After teaching letter writing conventions, have students write letters to people around the school who help them on a daily basis. One of our former students recently had her class write Valentine’s Day letters and then secretly deliver them.

4. Engage students in writing a history of your school or your town. Students can learn to interview, research primary documents and ultimately write their own historical document. It works well to divide students into smaller teams- each team taking a set of years or topic to research and write about.

5. Give student the choice to write a sequel, a new chapter, or a different ending to a book or story they have just finished reading. Another idea is to write the story from a different perspective, ala The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka. Students can also modernize old fairy tales, myths or classical stories.

6. Introduce students to informational writing. Have them write a school handbook from the student’s perspective. This can be revised and edited and eventually included with information for new students.

7. Create a living museum. Students research a living or dead person. They create a poster or tri-fold display and then write an introduction speech as if they were that person. Students dress up like their characters and present a living museum, sharing their speeches with each other or an audience of peers or parents.

8. Arrange to have students work with a pen pal from another part of the country. Students can exchange letters, stories, informational writing and poems with other students via the internet.

9. Read different types of poetry and teach students the formats for different kinds of poems. After experimenting with different forms, let students choose their favorites and create a class poetry book. They can illustrate them using either traditional or graphic design tools.

10. Create a classroom webpage. Empower students to write and upload the content!

11. Find student’s passions and then let them write about it. Robots, cooking, concussions in the NFL, saving the earth, yoga, politics, current events, cafeteria food, hunting and fishing laws, and movies are all examples of topics students have passionately researched and written about. This is a great way to explore different writing products and let students choose a format that makes sense, whether it is a poster in the hallway, a letter to the local paper, or a family inspired cookbook with recipes and the stories behind them.

These are just a few ideas to help students engage with writing. We know you have many more ideas and we would love to hear them in the comments!

Happy writing,

Exercise Balls as Desk Chairs: One Teacher’s Experience

February 9, 2016 by Inspired Together Teachers 2 Comments

Have you heard of exercise balls used as desk seats? Would you consider using exercise balls instead of traditional chairs in your classroom?

That’s exactly what Rahni Kay Haverland, third grade teacher at St. Anthony School in Dubuque, Iowa did. Intrigued by the idea, we interviewed Rahni Kay to get a teacher’s perspective. Here is her insightful look the potential and pitfalls of this unusual seating arrangement.

What made you want to get the new seats?

My students’ needs were the main reason for wanting the balls. 3^rd grade is a year where they are suddenly expected to sit still for longer periods of time. I do mini lessons and small group lessons, but I still had students who could not keep their chair legs on the floor or constantly rocked or tapped during short 5-10 minute lessons.

What do you call them?

We simply call them balls or exercise balls.

Had you ever tried them before you got them for your classroom?

We did have 2 balls in the classroom prior to receiving our classroom set. The students LOVED them and looked forward to the day it was their turn to sit on them. The love of the balls actually sparked the idea to get a classroom set.

Where did you get the funding?

My third grade students wrote letters to the Parent Association stating reasons the balls were a benefit to their education and asked for funding from the PA as well. They put together a presentation to present at a PA meeting and the rest was history. How could they say no to such logical arguments laid out by 8 and 9 year olds?

What was the reaction from students?

Saying the students love the balls is an understatement. They enjoy that they don’t have to “sit still” anymore. They are very careful to follow the expectations so they can continue to enjoy the privilege.

What was the reaction from parents?

Parents I have talked to appreciated the process we went through to get the balls. They are still relatively new, so I am eager to see what they have to say.

What was the reaction from other teachers/administrators?

Many teachers at my school and other teacher friends think I am crazy. They “couldn’t deal with that.” I agree, I am a little crazy. But, I also am willing to try new things. I want what is best for my students and chairs were not the best option. Why not try something else? I will be the first to admit the first week was rough, but things have settled into a routine.

My principal was very supportive. She encouraged me to give it a try and helped me get connected with the Parent Association. She saw them for the first time this week and was impressed with how calm the students looked.

What do you think are the benefits?

MOVEMENT. My students can now move while sitting still. It was hard to get used to at first…all the movement, but it is getting easier. They are able to get their wiggles out during a lesson. Trips to the water fountain and bathroom have decreased. They no longer need to make up an excuse to get out of their seat. I also like how much quieter they are than chairs constantly clattering. Also, we can do brain breaks with them. I can stop in between lessons and we can do sit-ups on our balls. The benefits are endless!

What have been the struggles or downsides?

Just like anything new in the classroom it takes time for the novelty to wear off. They are balls—in the classroom. Heck, I want to see how high I can bounce on them! High and consistent expectations have been key. They set the expectations as a class and we go over them at the beginning of every day and after lunch/recess. Safety is the main priority. There are also a couple students who are more distracted sitting on the balls.

How do they work with students- do all students use them all day? Do they also have regular chairs? Do they get to decide which seat to use at any given time?

As mentioned above, some students are distracted by sitting on a ball. They made the choice on their own to use a chair for most of the day. We have enough for every student in the classroom to sit on a traditional chair, if needed. The beauty is that the students decide when to switch the ball out for a chair or vice-versa. We brainstormed reasons we would want to use one over the other and they are becoming good at knowing what they need and when. We use “practice cards” from Whole Brain Teaching. If a student is given 3 practice cards in one day they do not get the option to use the ball the remainder of the day. Usually one practice card is enough of a reminder to sit safely. Choice is a large part of our classroom culture.

What else can you tell us that might inform other teachers about these seats?

I highly suggest paying an extra couple dollars for a weighted ball. Technically, I could have bought the cheaper ones and funneled 2 pounds of sand in each ball myself. But, who has time for that?! The weight keeps the balls from rolling around the classroom.

There are a few different sizes to choose from. I got the 75cm ones, which are a bit too large, but I can let some of the air out. Our previous 2 balls were 55 cm and just a little too small for the majority of our third grade students. I would recommend the 65 cm ones.

Any last words of advice?

I would like to tell teachers to not be afraid to give it a try. If it is a disaster, I am sure the P.E. teacher could find a use for them in class. Oh, and it will smell like rubber in your classroom for a few days. My students called it the “new ball smell.” Enjoy!

What do you think? Would you try these seats? We would love to hear your opinion. Please leave a comment below!

Happy bouncing,

Rahni Kay Haverland is a third grade teacher at St. Anthony School in Dubuque, Iowa. In addition to teaching, she is married and has a young daughter.

Share with Parents: 6 Easy Ways to Help Your Child’s Teacher

February 2, 2016 by Inspired Together Teachers 5 Comments

Most parents are thankful for the teachers who spend their days educating children. Parents are especially thankful after long breaks in which they realize how difficult it can be to spend the day with their own children, let alone twenty-five other students in one classroom all day every day. However, parents are often unsure how to show their appreciation or best offer help to make the teachers’ lives a bit less stressful.

Here are some ideas you can share with parents who want to help you but don’t know the best way to get started:

Help with materials. This type of help can be done at school or sent home if parents are unable to get to school during the day. Many teachers need instructional materials sorted, bulletin board items cut out, packets stapled together, etc. If parents can do this once, or on a regular basis, their volunteering can free up time that teachers can then spend planning.
Help with “crowd control” during classroom work time. As teachers, we love to do projects and host special events in our classrooms. However, these can be the most hectic times. Having another adult in the room to supervise a small group, help with transitions between activities, or to assist with student movement and materials throughout the room can help to maintain a safe learning environment.
Pick up supplies the next time parents are out shopping. This does not have to involve large sums of money. Parents can volunteer to pick up items needed for experiments or buy class snacks the next time they are at the grocery store. You may want to ask parents if they would consider picking up a pack of glue sticks or other instructional materials the next time they run to Target. These small items often come out of a teacher’s personal budget and require the teachers to run to a store to purchase the supplies. A willing parent’s time and contribution of an item that would likely cost five dollars or less would be much appreciated by most teachers. This does not mean you should make parents feel obligated to shop for the classroom. However, it is a nice suggestion you could make if a parent is asking for ways to assist you.
Embrace the parents’ individual talents. Teachers do not know the hidden talents of their parents. Are they an artist? If so, they could help the children learn how to draw self-portraits for the covers of their “About Me” papers. Do you know a parent in marketing? He or she could help the students make a brochure for the science fair. Teachers are “experts” in the curriculum and pedagogy of teaching. Parents may have hidden talents and, when shared, their expertise may help the students achieve new learning.
Ask parents to consider offering items to the classroom before donating or selling. We have all heard the saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” That chair that no longer works in your student’s living room could be the perfect reading chair in your classroom. Those plastic tubs that no longer store your student’s holiday decorations could perfectly store your classroom supplies for the year. Before donating or selling, ask your classroom parents to consider if the item(s) could be useful in your classroom and then donate them to you if so.
Offer a classroom gift card. As you know, a gift card to a grocery store to purchase snacks for a classroom celebration can make a teacher’s day. However, a gift card for a discount store where teachers can buy classroom supplies will make their week. If a parent wants to contribute to the classroom but doesn’t know how, consider asking them to purchase a gift card to a local store for classroom supplies.

These are just a few simple ways that parents can help you and show appreciation for the work that happens in your classroom. These are suggestions for parents that want to help but don’t know where to start.

What means of parent gratitude have you found most helpful in your classroom? What are some additional ways parents could help you? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Happy helping,

Share with Parents: 5 Ways to Keep Kids Learning During a School Break

December 22, 2015 by Inspired Together Teachers 4 Comments

Keep Your Child Learning — Image via Derek E-Jay FLIKR Creative Commons License

Kids are used to being in school, learning, several hours per day. Now they are going to be home for a break…a long break. Parents want extend their child’s learning into the break but you also want to relax and enjoy family time. We offer five easy suggestions that can accomplish both at the same time. Please feel free to send these suggestions home to parents as they are written or add your own to personalize.

1. Play games together

Learning opportunities abound in games. Basic card games can teach addition and sequencing. Scrabble and other word games can teach reading and writing skills. Maybe dust off that old Trivial Pursuit game to review content and teach them a new thing or two. Take a look at the games you already own or maybe purchase a new one. When you start examining games, you will be amazed at all of the academic skills and social skills they teach. By playing family games, you can disguise learning as fun.

2. A new fact each day

Every day have each family member share one new “interesting fact” with the family. As the days go on, you may find your family attempting to make the facts more fun and unique. This provides the kids an opportunity to use their electronics for research or to dig into books on your shelves. You may consider buying a journal, titling it “The ____ Family’s fun facts over _____ break,” and having each person document their facts within the journal. It is a fun way to create a keepsake that can be revisited over and over again.

3. Tape note cards around your house

Yes, you read that correctly. Write the content your child is learning at school on a notecard. Then tape the notecard near light switches, door handles, or any place that is frequently seen in your home. Every time the child walks past the notecard, they can tap it and read what it says. For example, if your little one is working on sight words or vocab words you can create a notecard for each and tape it by the front door. Every time they walk out the door, your child can tap the notecard and say the word/definition aloud. To make it more interesting, you can tape the cards high, low, and/or interchange them. This same idea also works for math facts, spelling rules, and just about anything you can be creative enough to add to a note card.

4. Create a scavenger hunt

This works well to keep the kids busy for long periods of time. It can also work well when friends or younger family are visiting as the kids can start creating their own scavenger hunts after you model the first one. The list of things they need to find can be academic or just plain fun. In any case, it keeps the kids reading, reasoning, and problem-solving, which are all skills taught daily in school and essential for school success

5. Read with your child

This can be relaxing, fun, and educational for both you and your child. Find a book that you loved at their age and read it to/with them. This is a perfect way to build their fluency and create memories at the same time. The learning that happens while reading together is immeasurable.

You will notice that when your child’s mind is occupied, they are less likely to engage in other activities that may just tire you out more. By picking one or more of the suggested activities, or creating your own, you will find that you all get some relaxation and learning in over break.

Parents will appreciate these and any other suggestions you offer for ideas over break. In addition, you will find that your students will return to your classroom after break full of great family memories and new learning.

Wishing you many happy memories with your family over break as well,

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