Great organizer for homework or daily schedule.

During my student teaching, I had a very organized and rigid cooperating teacher to follow.  In the beginning I was afraid of how well we would work together, since I was the complete opposite. One of my greatest strengths and weaknesses is that I am an adaptable,  go with the flow kind of person. My cooperating teacher requested that by the end of every week, Friday, that I have Monday's and Tuesday's lessons for next week completed, and that by Monday I have the whole week's lessons completed. I spoke to other student teachers, and told them about my schedule. I was upset to hear that I was the only one with this rigorous planning schedule. However, as the weeks continued, I began to  notice a better flow with my lessons. Also, if I needed to make any adjustments to a lesson or homework assignment, it was easier to do. Being prepared a week in advance is a wonderful tool not only for the teachers but for the students as well. This organizer can be used as either a daily schedule so the students can see what is to come in the days ahead, or as a homework organizer for the classroom.

Prefixes and Suffixes, helps with vocabulary.

Normally, students are required to having separate spelling and vocabulary words. However, I believe it is more beneficial for students in the long run to know not only how to spell a word but also know its meaning. Teaching students the prefixes and suffixes of words will greatly increase the student's vocabulary. Knowing prefix and suffix meanings also helps students to see and use context and etymological clues, allowing them to make educated guesses about the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Classroom Mobiles

These are great printable mobiles that students can use whether in science and or social studies to celebrate important holidays, events and people.

Hanging Mobiles for any content

Potential to Kinetic Energy Activity

A fun and interactive way for students to understand and experience what potential and kinetic energy is can be done by simply buying a bag of elastic bands, and connecting a computer to a projector. 

Before beginning the activity, I review with students the definitions of our recently learned science terms, and explain to the students that today they will be learning two new terms: potential energy and kinetic energy. Next I hold up and rubber band as if I am about to shoot it (make sure you are pointing in a safe direction). I explain to the students that when I pull the elastic back and hold it there, I am creating potential energy. I then tell the students that when I let go of the elastic band I will be converting the potential energy into kinetic energy. I then let go of the elastic band. Before moving on to the next part of the lesson I ask the students to put in their own words what potential energy is and what kinetic energy is. After a small discussion I provide the students with the scientific definitions and add the definitions to the science term board. I then play a movie clip from Brave, where the main character is in the archery tournament shooting for her own hand in marriage. At the moment where the character pulls back the arrow I ask the students to call out what is happening to the bow and arrow (potential energy), I then unpause the clip and pause it again when the arrow almost hits the bullseye. At this time I asks the students to call out what is happening, (potential energy has been converted to kinetic energy).

The only way the last part of this lesson can work is if there is strong classroom management and safety in the classroom. Depending on your students you may or may not want to do this (however, this is the part that the students most enjoy). Put students in groups of 4 to 6 and explain to students they will have their own bow and arrow competition. Demonstrate the students how to shoot the rubber band as well as what to do and what not to do. Have the first group line up, and point in a safe direction. Explain to the students that when you say "potential energy" the students must create potential energy, when you say transfer the students must release the rubber band and shout "kinetic energy". 

This sounds like a lot but it really only takes 10 to 15 minutes if you plan and prepare ahead of time. The students love this activity and really give them a hands on experience and connection to potential and kinetic energy :)

Interactive Spelling with sign language!

I've been lucky enough to have the experience to observe and intern other classroom teachers for numerous years. Being a good speller is an important skill to have. I observed a wonderful way to get students involved and interested in spelling their weekly spelling words.

The classroom teacher taught the students in the beginning of the school year how to sign the alphabet using sign language. Now the students use the sign language in a a spelling game. All students are given dice which they will use later to determine how many times they must write down their vocabulary words. A student will come up to the front of the classroom, and begin to spell a vocabulary word on their list using sign language. The other students will then have to watch the student spell the word, and try to guess the word being spelt. Once the students have guessed the word correctly, the whole class will roll their dice to determine how many times they must write that vocabulary word in their journal. When students have finished writing another student will come up and spell a new word. 

What a creative game! I love the idea of teaching students how to sign.