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Arctic Animals

Arctic Animals 

Click Here For This Arctic Student Activity Book

This week in my classroom we have been learning about the animals that live in the Arctic. To begin the Arctic unit, I introduced the vocabulary.  The kids had a blast making their vocabulary puzzles, and they were able to play a matching game with a partner.  

Next, we completed our KWL chart:

The the kids did a pair share with the reading comprehension passage:

 Here is our graphic organizer we completed after they had read the passage:

For each of the Arctic animals we studied the kids completed an assessment.  

My class really enjoyed learning about the Arctic!!!

Here is one of the activities we did after we had read about the Arctic Hare.   We folded a piece of copy paper, the student created an illustration of the animal we learned about, and then the student wrote three facts about the animal.

Click Here For This Arctic Student Activity Book

The Elvis Approach To Classroom Management

The Elvis Approach To Classroom Management

Through research and personal experience I have learned that classroom management is the most important factor in determining the academic success of students.  Effective teachers understand the importance of building relationships with their students.  The teachers actions in a classroom have twice the impact on student achievement as do school policies regarding curriculum, assessments, and community involvement (Marzano, 2003).

I decided to write my classroom management tips and tricks with the help of Elvis.

Students cannot learn in a chaotic classroom that lack procedures, routines, and expectations.  Effective teachers plan and prepare for the success of their students. Teachers should have an assignment ready when the students walk through the door.  Idle time in the classroom leads to behavior problems.  I have learned through experience, that having a routine provides clear expectations.  I teach language arts.  Every morning before my students enter the classroom, their journal, assignment, and pencil has been placed on their desk.

My students know what to expect from the minute they walk into my classroom. I teach and model this daily starting the first day of school.  It doesn't take the children long to learn the classroom expectations. Within 2-3 weeks, my students (all of them) come in quietly and start their daily routine.  Many students lack structure and routine in their home environment.  They do not know what to expect next.  In my classroom, my students clearly understand the expectations of the classroom.  In 17 years teaching, I can count the number of office referrals I have written on my hands.

Lack of routines and procedures lead to chaos.

Prepare Routines and procedures for the following:

• Arrival to class
• Transitions (hallway, switching classes, etc.)
• Answering question
• Lunch count
• Daily routines
• Quiet time

Procedures must be stated, explained, demonstrated, and practice in the classroom.

Make learning meaningful and important to the students.  Let's face the truth, while each of us may teach a particular grade or subject matter, that does not mean all children are coming to us on the same instructional level.  We know that there are different learning styles, and as a teacher it is our responsibility to meet the needs of each and every student that walks through our door.  This can be an overwhelming responsibility for the instructional leader.

Children will want to learn if you Shake, Rattle, and Roll and do things different than the traditional classroom.

Here are a few things we do in my classroom to help keep children motivated and excited about learning:

Children need to explore and engage in activities and lessons that are beneficial for their development.  Expecting children to conform to a standardized list of expectations is not realistic.  As teachers we want to help our students learn positive behaviors.  It is important for teachers to focus on positive behaviors.  It is important for teachers to monitor behavior and practice skills that minimize classroom disruptions.  Eye contact, proximity, and body language are free tools teachers can use to promote the desired behaviors.

Communication In The Classroom

The world is becoming more multilingual  and miscommunications can be avoided if we begin to break down the language barriers.  

Communication is the key to success in the classroom.   For most children, communicating with their families, classmates, and teachers is an easy process.  However, communication may be difficult and challenging for children who are learning a new language or for children who have learning disabilities.  

Reasons Children And Adults Need To Communicate. 

• To learn
• To satisfy a need
• To express thoughts and attitudes
• To form relationships
• To develop social skills

Through my experience as an ESL teacher, and a special education teacher I have learned through trial and error several effective strategies to use with students who need extra support understanding verbal and non-verbal communication.

Cultural Awareness

Teachers must understand Cultural Awareness and learn about different cultures.  Encourage all cultures to share and celebrate their similarities and differences.

As a classroom teacher communicating with families who speak a different language can be a challenge.  It is important to help multicultural families unite and work together.  When teachers and the community work together children are more successful in the classroom.

Children need academic content in both their native language and the language they are learning.  

As a classroom teacher, I know that it can be frustrating to try to communicate with a parent who does not speak your language.  

Empathize and Keep A Close Eye On Unspoken cues from the student.

Teachers can assign a buddy or another students who speaks the same language as the second language learner to help the student transition and feel safe.

Use Visual and Pictorial Representations

Using pictures to teach can help children understand what the teacher is communicating. Teachers can use pictures for social situations and academic skills.

When teaching students vocabulary words I allow them to view pictures of the term. Giving students the opportunity to illustrate the word will also help them make a meaningful connection.  I modify my instruction to meet the needs of the learner.

For the general education student, I may use the following lesson:

For the ESL learner or special education student, I may shorten or highlight the text, and depending on the needs of the students I would allow them to illustrate the word, or I would provide an illustration for the student.

The pictures below illustrates how I may modify for my students who are learning a new language or have communication disabilities:

Manipulatives and Hands-On Assignments

Provide students manipulatives and lessons that allow the students to draw, create, paint.  Use a variety of sense of styles when teaching content and skills.

Create a Safe Environment

Children learn best when they feel safe and secure.  Allow your students the opportunity to make mistakes.  Let them see you make a mistake.  I always call my students my classroom family.  In my classroom family we take turns, share, learn, make mistakes, and help each other along our educational journey.   

There are many ways to help foster communication in the classroom.  These are just a few of the things I do daily to help my children become successful lifelong learners.