CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT TOOLS

I don't have a toolbox that will fix all your problems this school year, but I do have a few tools and tips that might help.

Flashlight Spotlight
Take a flashlight and shine it on a child who is modeling the behavior you are looking for. “Spotlight on (child’s name). He’s got his math book and he’s ready to learn.”

Happy Chappy
You will need some lip balm with a fragrance. Gently rub children’s right hand with a “happy chappy” when they are following directions.




You Knock My Socks Off!
You will need an old pair of socks, a stick, and a piece of string 18” long for this project. Tie a sock to each end of the string. Tie the middle of the string to the stick. When children do something outstanding, take the stick and wave it in the air as you say, “You knock my socks off!”

Mr. Good for You!
A cloth glove, markers, fiberfill, and pipe cleaner are all you need to make a “good for you hand.” First, draw a happy face on one side of the glove with the markers. Fill the glove tightly with fiberfill or another stuffing. Gather the bottom of the glove and secure with a pipe cleaner. Children get “Mr. Good for You” and pat themselves on the back when they accomplish a new task.




Magic Lotion
Take an empty pump dispenser of hand lotion and remove the label. Make a new label for the lotion that says, “Mr./Mrs. (your name)’s Magic Lotion” and tape it to the bottle. When children are upset, frustrated, get a boo boo, or have hurt feelings, give them a “squirt” of magic lotion.

Brain Toys
Fill a shoebox or basket with knotted socks or stress balls. Suggest children get a brain toy when they can’t keep their hands to themselves.



Peace Flower
When two children have a disagreement let them hold the flower with both hands as they look at each other. When they have resolved their conflict they can hug and to back and play.

Awesome Sauce(Marilyn Borden)
Get a pump dispenser of lotion and make a new label that says “Awesome Sauce.” When kids do something great give them a squirt!



I’m Done Jar (Deb Rocco)
Put pictures of activities that children can do if they finish their work (puzzle, etch-a-sketch, easel) on sticks. Place these in a jar that says “I’m Done.” When children finish their work they can choose a stick and do that activity.

VIRTUAL CONFERENCES

Friends, most of you are like me and will NOT want to get on a plane this summer or be in large groups. The good news is that two of my favorite people are hosting virtual conferences. And they are FREE!! And you won't have to wear a face mask!!!  This is like winning the lottery!!!

SOAR TO SUCCESS!
Vanessa Levin's conference will focus on pre-k and preschool educators.

https://shy-morning-8475.ck.page/13a644fdbc  

 

Note!  Copy and paste it into your browser.

                              


K/1 VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
Deanna Jump's conference is for K-1 Teachers.

https://deannajump.com/gyto-k-1-virtual/

                                 

It's kind of hard to sing and dance by yourself in front of a computer screen, so I hope you'll join me! Both conferences will have some of the top presenters in the country, and you won't want to miss learning the latest and greatest activities and strategies. 

Here's a special prayer that came in our church's weekly newsletter.  I was so touched by it that I wanted to share it with you.  It was written by Carol Ferguson at Crescent Springs Presbyterian Church.

A PRAYER FOR OUR STUDENTS

Jesus, friend and teacher,
we pray to you for our students,
and for all they've lost,
for the games, meets, and matches,
the dances and dates,
the projects and performances,
the labs and studios,
the graduations and awards nights,
the chatter of the lunch room,
the meetups with friends,
the routines and normalcy.

Even so we give thanks
for the virtual learning,
the texts and tiktoks,
human connection through technology.
We lift up the flexibility, compassion,
perseverance, and creativity
of our students, your incredible children.

Help them grieve what they have lost,
celebrate the strength they have found,
and remember that they are never alone,
but always accompanied by your love.

We pray in your holy name.  Amen.

                                             

QUESTION PROMPT CARDS

One of the most powerful teaching strategies isn't something that you buy or plug in. Nor is it something you run off on the copy machine. It's the ability to ask GOOD questions that make children think. Here are some tips for challenging children’s thoughts and answers.

 

Open-ended – Ask open-ended questions, rather than “yes” or “no.”
Convergent questions have one answer, but divergent questions encourage students to make new connections and think outside the box.

Phrase Questions Clearly – Focus on one aspect at a time.

Acknowledge Responses - Avoid judging answers by repeating their response. “Good thinking!” “That’s close.” “I never thought about that before.” “Kiss your brain!”

How did you know that? Encourage children to “think out loud.” This will help peers develop higher thinking skills.

Probe – Extend students’ thinking by having them clarify an idea or support an opinion.

Give Time (Smile!) – Help children think about what they want to say and provide for individual differences by asking children to smile if they know the answer. Allow 3-5 seconds of think time.

Question Prompt Cards ??? CRITICAL THINKING CARDS
Download the attached question prompt cards. Glue to index cards, punch a hole in the upper left hand corners, and attach to a book ring. Color the edges of each card to indicate questions from simple to complex. Use to challenge children to think critically and creatively.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1SnEagA4jljVTNCemZnbUJVMVk/view?usp=sharing

For more teaching tools check out WORKSHEET AVENGERS!

FIVE MINUTE QUICKIE

Here are some tools children can keep in their desk for a quick review if you have a few minutes in the day. All the children will be actively engaged and the teacher can easily look around the room and assess responses.

Yes/No
Each child will need two index cards. Write “yes” on one in green and “no” on the other one in red. As you ask questions, children respond by holding up the card with their response. For example: “Our state is Arizona.” “Fish has the short /a/ sound.” “Blue and glue rhyme.” “Yesterday was Thursday.”



*Note! You can make the questions simple or complex depending on the ability of your students.


Sign Language  
Teach children sign language for “yes” (make a fist and nod it up and down) and “no” (extend middle and index finger from thumb and open and close. As you ask questions, children respond with the appropriate sign.
                                                             


Pinch Cards
Cut construction paper or heavy paper into 8 ½ “ x 5 ½” rectangles. Down the left side write the numerals 0-10. Write the very same numerals on the reverse side. As the teacher calls out math problems the children pinch the correct answer and hold up their cards. The teacher can quickly glance around the room to check responses.

              


*Make pinch cards for words, numeral recognition 10-20, phonics, etc.


Check out WORKSHEET AVENGERS for more active learning ideas.

STICK IT TO ME!

Here are some simple teaching tools from jumbo craft sticks.

Comprehension Sticks
Write “Who?” “What?” “Where?” “When?” “Why?” on sticks and insert them in a sock. Throw the sock over your shoulder before reading a book to prompt the children to be active listeners. After reading the story, let children choose a stick and tell that part.

*You could also write “author, illustrator, title, beginning, middle, end” or “characters, setting, problem, resolution.”




                                                              

Punctuation Sticks
Draw a period, exclamation point, and question mark on the end of jumbo craft sticks. Children take turns choosing a stick and placing it at the end of a sentence as friends read with appropriate expression.



Fiddle Stick
Each child will need a jumbo craft stick and a 20” piece of string.
Tie one end of the string to the middle of the craft stick. (Put a piece of tape on it to secure it.) Children can calm down and release wiggles by winding up the string and then unwinding it.
                                           

Check out WORKSHEET AVENGERS for creative things to do instead of worksheets.