WELCOME TO MY TEACHING PORTFOLIO
FOR EVERYONE
Online portfolios – Have up-to-date documentation of students work so parents could have an insight on what’s happening in the classroom at all times.
Calm Down Kit – For helping students learn to manage their emotions. Instead of acting out, they can pull out this kit and deal with their anger or frustration in a healthy way.
Every morning is a fresh start– Start each day with either a nice message on the student’s desks or a joke for the class (depending on the cycle).
New student packages – Make 5 extra of everything at the beginning of the school year so that when a new student enters midyear, I have a desk name tag, beginning of the year information, labels for folders/journals, etc. for the student.
Introducing myself– Introducing myself to the students and their parents with a short ‘About Your Teacher’ hand-out for the first day.
Using natural and raw materials in the classroom
Keeping warm- Building a fake fireplace in our classroom reading area once temperatures drop. Filling it with warm blankets, pillows and reading buddy bears for the little ones.
Line up– Lining up with a twist! (Favorite ice-cream flavor, writing hand, shoe or sock colour).
Math games center – Have a math center with math games that change each month.
Going out with a BANG! – Hang 10 balloons within the classroom. Each balloon has a special activity so for the last 10 days of school you pop one balloon a day to find out what it is! (Work without shoes on, eat lunch in the classroom, music during work time, etc.)
CYCLE ONE
Adopt a butterfly – The Botanical Garden sends the classroom 4 live caterpillars, 2 live crystalids, a milkweed plant, and access to a website to help us as we raise our own butterflies!
Applause is so 2013 – Have students show their appreciation for one another in different ways (Firework cheer, cowboy cheer, rollercoaster cheer, raise the roof cheer, etc.)
Letter treasure hunt – Have the letters of the alphabet laid out for them. They must search for objects that begin with each letter of the alphabet.
Number poem/song – Introducing numbers is easy when it is done with the help of an engaging song for the students to sing along with.
Quiet Critters – When I decide it is important for students to be quiet I pass out the quiet critters. At the end of the activity anyone who still has a quiet critter gets a prize or point for being so quiet.
CYCLE TWO AND THREE
Musical Chair writing – This would be a great way to get reluctant writers to write freely.
Math Power Towers – Students pull out a cup with math facts on it. If they answer it right they keep on stacking the cups!
Toss N’ Talk ball – Have an exercise ball covered in questions. The students must answer the question that is directly under their right thumb once they catch it. This is great for a brain break or even to get reluctant speakers a chance to engage in discussion.
Facebook wall – When we are studying someone in history we can make them a Facebook profile and add it to the wall.
Intergeneration project– Students would learn about the past from people who have experienced it first hand. They would spend time with seniors and learn about history through their personal stories. They would later have to re-write the story in their own words but with a twist- historical fiction. They would also do some community work within the senior homes.