ABC's To Successful Teaching ... Communication!

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I have always believed the one of the most important ingredients to successful teaching is COMMUNICATION!

Teacher to Student

Student to Teacher

Teacher to Parent

Parent to Teacher

Teacher to Teacher

Teacher to Administrator

COMMUNICATION goes beyond the written note, website, phone call.

COMMUNICATION can be how effectively we as an educator are getting our message across.

(Sometimes after a test I hear...My students did horrible on the test!  

Teachers tend to blame it on the students.  

They didn't listen.  They didn't study.  They just don't get it.

BUT 

Maybe we need to look at the way we presented the information.

It may have been our way of communicating the information to them was not effective)

COMMUNICATION can be non verbal cues  or "vibes" the students are getting from us or we are getting from them.

( Remember David?  We all know a David who drives us insane!  Think back to that glorious story by David Shannon, David Goes to School.  At the end how did the teacher COMMUNICATE to David she felt. )

PLEASE keep these in the forefront of your mind as you begin the school year.

Challenge yourself to make improvements.

The COMMUNICATION we are going to talk about today is more about "keeping everyone up to speed".  In today's world of technology this should be an easy task.  Let's take a look at some of these ways.

Classroom Website

I love having a website for my classroom.  When I was teaching it was filled with pictures of our activities, a calendar, rules and consequences, procedures, math and reading focus charts for the week, link to the lunch menu, newsletter, how to contact me.

I sent a laminated "fridge note" home with the link for each parent. 

I also provided a link to all staff who worked in or with students in my classroom. 

I used Google but there are many other "teacher friendly" websites available for use.

I set aside one morning a week to update my site.  Keep it simple but something people will WANT to visit.

A link to my present website.

Remind (Remind 101)

Check it out!

If you have not signed up for this text reminder program do it NOW!!

I sent quick reminders to parent's and support staff texts all the time.

Older students can leave their own numbers as well.

Spelling test tomorrow.

Notes due for student project.

No school tomorrow.

Email

As simple as it may sound Email is still a great way to communicate with parents, students, staff, and administration.  I sent our weekly newsletters through Email and included all those listed.  Yes, I am sorry to say I still sent a hard copy but many parents and support staff liked having something to keep in front of them.

NOTE: I always include administration and support staff on all of my communication.  It is a great way to promote your classroom and keep everyone on the same page.

Calendars

These are so helpful in letting everyone know what to expect for the coming month.  They can add their own or updated info as it comes home.  Include student birthdays, school dates, events.

I find this useful for support staff.  I then attach any papers that I hope they can work on together.

Often I include games that work on specific skills I hope the student will work on.  These provide for communication and skill discussion.  

Phone and Email Log

I keep track of phone calls because it is easy to trace and recall communications I have had with parents or numbers I need to return calls to.

Class Newsletter

I send these weekly.  One is sent attached in the Email, one is placed on the website, and one is sent home with the student.  

Conferences with parents are a wonderful way to communicate with parents.

These forms will be so helpful.

Find it here.

Are you an effective communicator?

These few tips can keep you ahead of the game and make for a productive school year!

Next up...

ABC's To Successful Teaching ... Behavior!

Find the resource here.

One of the toughest challenges of every teacher is to maintain classroom control and individual student behavior.  Lack of classroom and student control causes a classroom environment that is not conducive to learning and frustrating for everyone.

There a MANY suggestions on how to maintain classroom control BUT, the truth is YOU have to find what works for YOU!!

Over the years I have found these helpful hints.

1.  Set CLASSROOM RULES 

When setting classroom rules I like to keep them POSITIVE and SIMPLE.

(I listen carefully while others are speaking.  NOT  I don't talk while others are speaking.)

I also found that in setting the rules keep these 2 things in mind...

Be Kind

Be Safe

Finally, before you begin any activity, before you head into the hall, before you read a story, remind the class what the rules for this activity are.

Here you see materials to support teaching your class about the meaning of the rules.

There is a letter to parents, a behavior plan for parents and others and bulletin board ideas.

You can't be kind and safe without being respectful, responsible and cooperative.

Again there are materials to use to share with students and help them develop and understanding of each BIG WORD.

2.  BE CONSISTENT

The minute you allow students to break rules and not "nip it in the bud" they will take advantage.

3.  COMMUNICATE the classroom rules with students and parents.

I send a copy of our class rules home with parents along with the consequences.

This is so helpful and most parents are anxious to help!

Be sure everyone knows what you expect.

4.  Keep your class BUSY AND CHALLENGED.

When the class is working on things they like and can do they are more than likely to follow the rules and be engaged in the activities taking place.

Whatever system you use be sure to keep it simple.

MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL STAY POSITIVE!!

Try all the positive comments you can and other students will try to copy them.

Point out kiddos who are following rules.

Point out kiddos who have done something creative.

Point out kiddos who have shared or done something nice for their classmates.

The resource below narrows it down even further.

These little positive behavior rewards can be collected.

I LOVE them.

Find it here.

Move your classroom to the POSITIVE side of behavior.

CATCH students or your class MODELING POSITIVE behavior.

I like the way...

I appreciate how...

Thank you ________ for ...

I love sending notes home with students to share what "I caught" them doing that had a positive influence on our class.

5.  ONE THING I STRONGLY BELIEVE IN...

A no hands raised policy to answer questions keeps everyone engaged.

Students never know who you are going to call on so they keep focused.

I also don't hesitate to call on someone not listening.

When students are allowed to raise hands to answer it gives many the opportunity to "check out"!

She won't call on me.  In fact when you first try this students will say...I didn't raise my hand.

My reply...I realize that.  I called on you.  What do you think...

Some teachers use name sticks.  If you use this system do not take the stick out once the student has answered or you may lose their attention.  Put it right back in the container so they know they could be drawn again.

I also like to keep ALL students actively involved in the lesson.

If someone is going to the board to write or work a problem for you have the others complete it on white boards or in a journal.

That way everyone is still participating.

PRAISE, COMPLIMENT, LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE PROUD OF THEIR EFFORTS.

This Positive Behavior resource allows you to praise your class as well as individuals.

Catch them having a great day or demonstrating positive behavior.

For your class give them an opportunity to earn a reward at the end of each day.

After so many rewards they earn a "fun day".

Below you can see all the different choices and support materials that accompany them.

Pick up this FREEBIE

TOMORROW...

 

Math Games Galore ... Addition, Subtraction, Doubles, Odd/Even and more!

 

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Students love playing math games with a partner.

Math games are the perfect tool for review and practice and assessment.

While playing students communicate and often talk math strategies.

These games can be copied on tagboard and laminated using the color game board or placed inside plastic page covers.

I like to just run them on paper so each student can have one to take home.

You could also place the laminated one in the center and run others for students to take home.

The only materials needed for these are:

Dice (numbers or dots)

Markers to place on game boards.

Linking cubes for BUMP

Pencil and Paper clip for the Spin Game

** There are paper ones included in the resource.

Each game is done in black and white or color for your choice.

The laminated ones you might want to do in color and the bw run for students to take home.

Each game is also accompanied by a record keeping sheet.

I like to collect these so I can see if the student is on the right track. (assessment)

I also prepared games of different levels to allow for differentiation.

I suggest putting a number grid as provided in the center for those students that may need help.

I also included two dice templates if you need them.

Game One:

Game board

Roll and cover

Roll 2 dice and add

Roll and double

Game Two:

Bingo

Roll and Cover

Roll 2 dice and add

Roll and double

Game Three:

BUMP

Roll and cover

Roll and add and cover

Roll and double and cover

Game Four:

Game board

Spin and move

Spin and double

Spin, Spin again, Add

Game Five:

Game board

Roll...what do you need to add to make 10

Roll 2 dice...what do you need to add to make 20

Game Six:

Climb the Ladder

Roll and cover the number word

Roll and cover odd or even

Game Seven:

Roll, Subtract the smallest from the largest

Roll and record, Roll and record, Subtract the smallest from largest

Game Eight:

Roll, Cover two numbers on the board that when subtracted equal that number

Game Nine:

Subtraction BUMP

             

Find Freebie here.

Game Two:

Bingo

Roll and Cover

Roll 2 dice and add

Roll and double