Back To School Time!

Unbelievable! It is time to go back to school already. I always get excited to go back and begin a brand new year with new students, new opportunities, challenges and this next year new responsibilities as I begin internships. As I was thinking about starting a new year I began brainstorming all the activities I want to use. I thought I would share a few:

*I always like to have a little 'something' on my students desk the first time they come into the room. This changes from year to year depending on my inspiration and mood. I attach a little note along with a treat. I have used popcorn or blow pop suckers with a note saying "I am so excited to be your teacher I might just POP!" Smiley face fruities (from Wal-Mart) with a note "I'm all smiles because you are in our class!" Smarties - "Welcome to a class full of smarties!" Rice Krispie treats - "It's a treat to be your teacher! Welcome!" Notepad with pencil - "Take note-you are in the greatest 3rd grade class ever!"

*The first day of school I like to give the students a chance to decide what atmosphere they would like in their class. I often have the students sit on their desk (this is great fun for them) and I toss a small ball to someone. I then tell them to play the game. That is all I say. After a few awkward moments they begin passing the ball around. I usually act like I am busy at my desk or something. When they all begin asking what they are playing or how they should do it, we begin talking about how a game is much more fun when we know the rules and how to play. Our classroom is the same way. We can have a lot of fun and a great experience if we all understand one another. Then the students come up with their own expectations (of course they are guided to determine the 'class rules' that are appropriate).

*The first few days the students don't really know each other. Having an activity each day where they can get to know one another better helps everyone feel more comfortable and at ease. Classmate Bingo is fun to play. Also, having each student bring 5-10 things in a lunch sack (I provide the sack) that describe them. The items have to fit inside the bag. I start by telling them about me. I include things like a diet coke, Hershey Kisses, Cinnamon Bears, picture of my family, a book, slice of bread-I can't eat any gluten so this helps explain why I can't eat the birthday treats they bring, and a picture of Mexican food.

Have fun beginning a new school year! I would love to hear about any of your great ideas!

IPods in the Classroom

Most of us have at least one iPod. iPods can be great tools for the classroom. Many teachers are writing and receiving grants to purchase a class set of ipods. These can be used as listening centers, small group instruction and large group instruction. The iPod nano, Generation 5 has a video camera built in. What a great tool with unlimited opportunities for students. There are thousands of podcasts available, along with iTunes U, which contains information for teachers. By purchasing a cable ($10.00 on ebay) you can easily hook up your iPod to the projector and view video clips, podcasts and video of class presentations. What a fun and exciting way to learn!

Make It Fun!

Math is a hard concept for many students. Anytime we can relate math concepts to real life we help students comprehend. It is also beneficial to make it fun! It is more enjoyable for the students and the teacher. Math jokes, manipulative, cartoons and even video clips are all things that can add enjoyment and fun to a math lesson. Check out the following web sites and add some spice to your math lessons!

www.trottermath.net/humor/cartoons.html

www.math.about.com/od/mathcartoons/Math_Cartoons.htm

http://www.surfnetkids.com/comics.htm

They are never too young to play with manips!

Earlier today I was playing with my 1 1/2 year old grandson. He got into my containers of math manipulatives. We were playing with the base 10 blocks and colored tiles. We spent some time dumping them out, stacking them and putting them back in the buckets. Then we got out the tiles. As I started sorting them into colors and he mixed them back up I kept telling him the colors of the tiles. We learned 'yellow' today. I was reminded how valuable play really is. He loved playing with the tiles. It won't be long until we can make patterns and he can sort colors. What a great way to begin mathematical thinking - just play. I think I need to spend more time in my 3rd grade class 'playing' with math and numbers.