Fun Starts to a New School Year!

School is open!  This is the “honeymoon period” of the school year since all kids are happy to be in school again.  So this newsletter will be dedicated to building on that enthusiasm in creative ways (including a dash of FREE new technology) so that no student is left out.

First, what non-technological approaches can used that will make all students feel confident that the school year will be a good one (including those with special needs along with English language learners at all 3 stages of language acquisition)?  Here are a few just for starters (no set order implied):
 

1. Every classroom has rules.To provide students will a feeling of ownership, allow them to create some of the rules along with suggested consequences for breaking them.Using a randomizer (app on phone, popsicle sticks, playing cards with names on them, etc.), establish small groups of no more than 4.Try to ensure that friends are NOT sitting together since you want to build a family like atmosphere in the classroom where students help each other.Provide a couple of sample rules to start the process.For example, if a student uses his/her cellphone in class without permission, the teacher will take the phone and then give it back to him/her after class.This would be for the first infraction.Students could then offer ideas for 2^nd and 3^rd infractions.This would open the floor for a variety of approaches where all viewpoints would be respected (teacher could have groups post their responses on chart paper through words or pictures).The class could then vote on what they feel would be the best consequences.This approach sets them up to then proceed in their groups to address lateness, not doing homework, shouting out in class, disrespecting a classmate’s efforts to complete a task, etc.
2. The classroom will have many students who don’t know each other.So a teacher needs to build a learning environment that is safe and supportive—family-like.How can this be established?Have students take turns interviewing each other.Again, using a randomizer, pair up students who don’t know each other.Provide the class with a set of questions to be used to interview each other.If some of the students have limited English, they could ask for support from those who share the same language.Once things are clarified, they would return to their partner to complete the assignment.After about 20 minutes, each pair would come to the front of the classroom and then introduce his/her partner to the class.Using this approach, students would need to fully pay attention to what their partners say and not focus on their comments alone.
3. Create a class poster in which the diversity of the class is highlighted.A class poster coming directly from the students provides the students with a feeling of ownership.The finished products could be used for BACK-TO-SCHOOL night and would be a definite crowd pleaser as students explain the meaning of the posters and highlight their contributions to them.

Second, technology that could be used to ease student adjustment to a new school year is always fun.  Here are a few (again, no order is implied here):
 

1. One fun approach is to have students write a letter to their future selves.Teachers may wish to provide a general outline of what students could include (ELLs and those with special needs might need that extra assistance).Such an assignment would of course be ungraded (and that lowers stress greatly).I would suggest giving the class the same end date so that the results could be reviewed as a fun assignment.Students will be shocked at their growth (smiles and laughter will fill the room---guaranteed).
2. One strategy to build student confidence is to provide them with a MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE online test.Students are always pleasantly surprised at learning what their intellectual gifts are.Once the test is completed, the class can survey their classmates for their strengths and then create a chart (or graph) on the results.Another benefit here is that for students who may have struggled in school, they now have the opportunity to see what they excel at.Further, the results benefit the teacher in planning class projects to make sure that such activities tap each strength in the class.
3. Have students create a comic strip on their lives, their plans for the new school year, their family or friends, on their own imagined super heroes, etc.Once completed, teachers can have them print them out, dress them up with a dash of color, and then post them around the room (to use as a GALLERY WALK).Students would rate each one with 2 STARS and 1 WISH (no negative responses just ones that seek clarification).

Again, time spent making the students feel confident in facing the new school year is time well spent.  The more teachers know about their individual students the more effective their learning will be (and that leads to less stress on the teacher’s part).

Have a great school year!  Our September newsletter will be out after Labor Day .

Denise (denise@ellteacherpros.com)
Marnie (marnie@ellteacherpros.com)
Cheryl (cheryl@ellteacherpros.com)

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Liven Up the Review Process With GAMES!

This is the month of our well-deserved spring break!  It is because of this upcoming break that teachers will also be grappling with how to keep students on task as images of vacation dance in their heads:)

Break time might be a good time to check out a fun review site tool that will keep students fully engaged as they master the content of the lesson.  Once you feel comfortable with the site and can manage it like a pro, you will be ready to bring it the class in after spring break.  Since it will probably take the students a few days to settle in, it will be a great tool to motivate full class participation in a fun format.

What is this incredible tool?  JEOPARDY (but VERY easy to create)!  There are many formats that can be used in presenting this game.  I have selected 3 of my favorite approaches below:

1. Create the game yourself so you are thoroughly familiar all of the questions and answers.  Such an in-depth knowledge of the “game board” does not allow for students to argue over what they feel is correct or not.  Split the class into small groups of 4 or 5 who will compete as teams.  If you want to allot prizes, make them creative (not expensive) onesJ
2. Have students create their own game board in small groups.  For this, they would use Google Docs to create the questions and answers.  Students will check each other’s work BEFORE they go on the board.
3. Split the class into two teams.  The goal here is that each team creates the game.  The teacher then has each group deliver their game to the class on different days.  Further, the class taking part as the audience will follow a checklist to see if the game covered all the points that were assigned.

Another game similar to JEOPARDY, but slightly easier to set up is FLIPQUIZ. Think of this as a 21^st century version of JEOPARDY.  It is equipped with a built in timer.  Boards can be shared with fellow teachers or students.  For some students, this would be a highly effective study tool for them and they are having fun reviewing!  Click here for a quick explanation of some key features.

Care to use a non-quiz format for review?  Why not FAKEBOOK (like FACEBOOK but for students)?  Either alone or with partners, students could create detailed FACEBOOK pages on their assigned characters (or whatever subject you want).  Since all the students know FACEBOOK, you won’t have to spend too much time going over how to use it.

For non-tech scenarios, there is always academic bingo!  Teachers identify the key concepts or terms for students to place on their bingo cards and then the rest is chance.  Further, when a student wins, he or she must define each term (with support from peers of course) or use it correctly in a sentence.  Again, students are having fun while learning.  For teachers, they can quickly see what areas need a review and what ones don’t.

Hope you have a great restful spring break!

Denise

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Fabulous February--A History Bonanza:)

 It was our intention to have information on Quizlets a wonderful site that helps you form “flashcards” for your learners which can be used both for teaching and review.  There are a number of games on the site that give variety to studying.  However, the time to develop a quality newsletter about the site passed too quickly and so, we will cover it in a later edition.

Since I have been unable to meet that assignment, I spent time looking for interesting resources for Presidents’ Day for all grade levels.  I was thinking that having M.L. King Jr Day as background, the exploration of the social justice aspects of Lincoln’s & Washington’s presidencies would be a great continuation.  However, there was little I could find that compared the three men so I decided to go with information on each of the presidents separately, and in comparison where I could.

All Three:

The Freedom Three:  Song about Washington, Lincoln & King

http://www.songsforteaching.com/curriculumrocks/freedomthree.htm

Contributions of People who Defended American Principles

http://civics.pwnet.org/3/3.3.html

Both Presidents:

Lincoln & Washington, 2^nd grade lesson plan

http://rampages.us/abigailcwilliams/wp-content/uploads/sites/2962/2014/12/Whole-Unit-Plan.pdf

Comparing Lincoln & Washington personalities more than politics

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/abrahamlincoln-georgewashington-presidentsday/2010/02/12/id/349760/

President’s Day Activities, K-6

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/presidents-day-grades-k-5.html

President’s Day Activities, 6-8

http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/presidents-day-grades-6-8.html

Internet for Classrooms: Presidents’ Day links

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/links_grades_kindergarten_12/presidents_day.htm

George Washington:

Washington Quotes:

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/george_washington.html

Washington Theme Lessons:

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/George_Washington/

Elementary Lessons:

http://www.ducksters.com/biography/uspresidents/georgewashington.php

Secondary Resource:

http://www.biography.com/people/george-washington-9524786

Abraham Lincoln

Elementary:  

http://www.ducksters.com/biography/uspresidents/abrahamlincoln.php

Bulleted general Information

Short reading passages about his life and career

Lincoln theme Lessons

http://themes.atozteacherstuff.com/511/abraham-lincoln-president-lesson-plans-printables-units-teaching-ideas/

Lincoln Quotes:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/quotes

Secondary Resource:

http://www.biography.com/people/abraham-lincoln-9382540

Video

Bulleted general information

We hope you find resources among these sites to help you plan lessons for February.

Marnie marnie@ellteacherpros.com

Denise denise@ellteacherpros.com

Cheryl cheryl@ellteacherpros.com

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Creative Ways to Weave Social Media Into the Classroom:)

In this day and age of social media, should teachers try to incorporate twitter, pinterest, facebook, etc.  in their classroom lessons?  Well, students are already well versed in it, use it regularly, and enjoy it.  So why should teachers consider weaving various social media tools within their instructional activities? 

Using social media is a highly effective tool to spark student interest and therefore their desire to learn.  Teachers who are not very proficient in such tools will need to explore them a bit before bringing them into class, but if help is needed, students can often come to the rescue.  The benefits far outweigh the risks.  The potential rewards from enhanced instruction merit a try on the teachers part.

Facebook has already been used in some classes and with good results.  Students might use facebook for group projects.  Click here for a quick "how to build a facebook page for classroom."  Teachers will see language skills of English language learners soar as they experiment with a medium that they use regularly with their friends.  What kind of projects can a teacher initiate?  Here is a link to some. The limits are those of a teacher's imagination.

Twitter is another tool which has met with success in the classroom also.  How many ways can it become part of school?  Here are 60, but there are many more.  I have used it as a way to keep my finger on the pulse of student learning.  Since tweets are limited to 140 characters, I am more likely to get responses from ELLs who are still new at the language.  I also it carry on a lively discussion on key topics.  Students are encouraged to save the feeds as additional study tools for upcoming tests.

Pinterest is rather new.  I use it to provide key visuals which support the concept I am teaching.  I use the materials I find there in power points especially to provide background information.  When teaching content vocabulary, pinterest can provide powerful images to clarify concepts. In developing writing skills, I use key images to inspire journal writing.  The list again has no limits:)

Try social media in your lessons.  You will not be disappointed:)

Denise

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