Student Contributor: M. McLeod Timers can be used to facilitate smooth transitions in the classroom. You can choose any length of time for your timer, whatever works for you. Timers for transitions also provide brain break's for students throughout the day.This tool is super easy to implement into your classroom and can be done in a variety of ways. You can get a physical timer and start it each time you transition, or you can look up timers on YouTube. In … [Read more...] about Transition Timers
Preventative
Occu-Potty Lights
Student Contributor: C. Shimasaki This tool is helpful for students to not constantly bombard the teacher by asking to go to the bathroom one after the other. With this, they'll be able to know that someone is already in the restroom and they need to wait to ask when they come back/the light is off.You would have those same simple wall-click lights close to the door where everyone in the classroom can see. I would ideally have 2, one for boys and one for … [Read more...] about Occu-Potty Lights
Pre Paired Partners
Student Contributor: Ashlynn Thielen This tool is helpful because it allows the teacher to place the students into quick and easy groups for transition times. This is also just a fun age-appropriate way to divide the kiddos. The theme can be adjusted to really any theme!This tool should be used during transition times, for turn and talk as well as collaboration and group work. For my personal classroom each student has the student card on their desk that … [Read more...] about Pre Paired Partners
Cat Award
Student Contributor: Halene Barsness This tool is awarded to students for tidy desk and floor areas, but can be applied to any circumstance that is needed. This has been a way to help my placement class improve their organization, and reduce the number of papers lost.At the end of the day, we give students an additional five to ten minutes to get their desks entered for the Cat Award prize. This time is given at the end of the day so that there aren't any … [Read more...] about Cat Award
The 3 Be’s!
Student Contributor: R. Castro The 3 Be’s is a tool that is used to remind students of the rules that should be followed in the classroom. They encourage students to become independent learners as they make good choices throughout the day.This tool should be introduced at the beginning of the school year. It is important to go over the rules during the first few weeks and make sure to demonstrate how they may look when following them. Therefore, the … [Read more...] about The 3 Be’s!
Coats in the Closet
Student Contributor: M. Sorensen This procedure is a system to help reduce traffic jams in the closest, especially during the winter months when students have lots of snow gear. Students come in from outside and first go to their desks. At their desks, they take off their coats and any snow gear. Then they go to the closest to put up their things.This procedure helps prevent the students from cramming into the closet while trying to take off their coats. … [Read more...] about Coats in the Closet
(Transition) Bell
Student Contributor: Z. Winegar The bell is near the teacher and when the teacher rings the bell, students will know to finish their last thought and to turn their voices off and keep their hands in their lap. This is helpful because it will ideally make transitions flow easier.The tool should be used to help students with their transition to their next task. Students will know what their task is ahead of time so once they hear the bell they know to … [Read more...] about (Transition) Bell
Group Points/Compliments
Student Contributor: A. Williams When you notice groups of students staying on task or not you can add or remove points. If they reach a certain amount they get a small celebration reward.-teams of 4 are optimal because it’s two partnerships. Also, it’s small enough where everyone is accountable, but big enough that there’s not too much pressure on any one student. -the teams have their desks together and sit together when other grouping is not in … [Read more...] about Group Points/Compliments
Guided meditation
Student Contributor: E. Rosenau Guided meditation helps students relax their mind, bodies, and helps them direct their focus to the classroom and classmates.This tool should be implemented in the morning before the lessons for the day begins. This tool can also be beneficial to use after lunch. The teacher has to be consistent with this tool and give students two-three minutes a day to participate in this practice. The teacher can use a short video to … [Read more...] about Guided meditation
Mindful Minute
Student Contributor: J. MacPherson This tool is a great way to have kiddos begin their day feeling refreshed and ready. One minute in the morning is all it takes to get your students in a healthy mindset.This tool is to be implemented every morning after students have eaten their breakfast and began their morning task. The teacher simply tells the class it is time for their mindful minute, and begins by ringing the chime. As the mindful minute begins, the … [Read more...] about Mindful Minute