Instead of answering problems on a worksheet, write or print out questions on notecards or cardstock. Laminate and put in a center with dry-erase markers and erasers. (Be sure to include any manipulatives the students might need in the center.)
Store or file your cards in a small box divided into sections such as Addition, Measurement, Estimating, etc. Switch out your cards as needed.
You can use this activity for any kind of question: basic operations, fractions, number lines, geometry, problem solving - whatever!
To really get your students thinking, use a multi-step, open-ended question and encourage them to work together to find several different answers to the problem. Be sure to include manipulatives!
Have you tried this activity before? What did you think?
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Adverb Charades
I saw this wonderful lesson in a third grade classroom this morning!
After a brief review of adverbs, the teacher divided the class into small groups. She gave each group an index card with a verb written on it and an index card with an adverb written on it.
When it was the group's turn, they showed the class the verb card. The group then had to act out, charades-style, the adverb.
To make this a game, the team that guessed the adverb first received a point!
The students loved this game and were very engaged!
(One tip: make sure you pre-select which verbs and adverbs you give each team. Some combinations can be very difficult to act out! Loudly blink?
What do you think? If you try this activity, let us know how it went!
After a brief review of adverbs, the teacher divided the class into small groups. She gave each group an index card with a verb written on it and an index card with an adverb written on it.
When it was the group's turn, they showed the class the verb card. The group then had to act out, charades-style, the adverb.
To make this a game, the team that guessed the adverb first received a point!
The students loved this game and were very engaged!
(One tip: make sure you pre-select which verbs and adverbs you give each team. Some combinations can be very difficult to act out! Loudly blink?
What do you think? If you try this activity, let us know how it went!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Being a Design Coach for the past few years has been an amazing opportunity! I have learned so much about teaching I can't keep it all to myself! This blog will allow me to share some of the amazing - yet practical - teaching ideas I have picked up from conferences, workshops, various trainings, and most importantly - my colleagues!
I will share some of the best teaching ideas, tips and strategies I have seen or used myself in this blog. And since I am an avid reader of children's books and young adult books, I'll throw in the occasional book review and how the book might be used in a classroom.
It is my hope that these ideas will not only inspire you to try new things in the classroom, but will put the fun back in teaching for you AND your students!
Please feel free to leave any thoughts, comments, your own ideas, or suggestions for future posts.
Together we can create the future!
I will share some of the best teaching ideas, tips and strategies I have seen or used myself in this blog. And since I am an avid reader of children's books and young adult books, I'll throw in the occasional book review and how the book might be used in a classroom.
It is my hope that these ideas will not only inspire you to try new things in the classroom, but will put the fun back in teaching for you AND your students!
Please feel free to leave any thoughts, comments, your own ideas, or suggestions for future posts.
Together we can create the future!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)