When planning an Interactive Read Aloud (IRA), are you often figuring out ways to keep students from misbehaving? Or, while exploring an IRA, are you thinking, "There's no way my class can handle that. I have to stay at the front of the room!” I completely understand these feelings! However, there … [Read more...] about Classroom Management for Read Alouds
Classroom Management
How to Use Books to Celebrate Student Birthdays
Use Books to Celebrate Student BirthdaysBirthdays are such a special day for children of all ages. Young kids (heck, even us adults!) are so excited on our day! Why not use books to celebrate student birthdays? One of the most powerful ways to encourage reading in children is to show them how … [Read more...] about How to Use Books to Celebrate Student Birthdays
Reviewing Reading Expectations After Break
Coming back from winter break can be a difficult transition for students. It's easy for them to forget the expectations and procedures of the classroom, especially when it comes to reading. Here are a few things you might want to try on those first few days back in the classroom: Review … [Read more...] about Reviewing Reading Expectations After Break
An Effective Approach to Classroom Jobs
I have always used student jobs in my classroom. I didn't, however, always run them well. Sure, we rotated the job chart every week (if I remembered). Sure, most of my students completed their roles (half-heartedly). But, it seemed as though my classroom jobs were becoming more work than they … [Read more...] about An Effective Approach to Classroom Jobs
Control the Paper Chaos
Have you ever found yourself under a mound of papers? Do you feel as though your teacher desk is just completely covered in student work and meeting agendas and forms? I know the feeling. Here are some tips for tackling that giant pile. Letter Trays One issue I ran into was so much paperwork … [Read more...] about Control the Paper Chaos
Indoor Recess Program
I don't know about where you are, but here in New England, our winters are cold and snowy. This means that we often have indoor recess or, if we do go outside, it's not terribly fun. Our PTF (parent-teacher forum) came up with the idea of a Recess Program. Students are given a list of a … [Read more...] about Indoor Recess Program