Student Contributor: M. McLeod Flexible seating is when students have different options of where and what they can use for seating within the classroom. Flexible seating is helpful as it allows for students to be comfortable in the classroom.Flexible seating is used to provide several different seating options in the classroom for students. Some examples that my mentor has in her room are floor tables, stools at tall tables, wobble chairs, seat cushions. … [Read more...] about Student Chosen Flexible Seating
3rd-5th
Transition Timers
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
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
Stoplight Cups
Student Contributor: C. Shimasaki Stoplight Cups are great for students to ask questions and get the teacher's attention without walking around the room, or coming up to you all at once. With this, the teacher is able to scan the room and prioritize who to go to first depending on the color.Students will have 3 cups total, a red, yellow, and green cup. Students can use these when doing independent or group work. The different colors give meaning to how … [Read more...] about Stoplight Cups
Portable Desks
Student Contributor: K. Reed The portable desks tool is meant to help best support student learning by giving them the freedom to move from their usual seating. If students need to be closer to the whiteboard to see or farther from their peers to minimize distractions, they are able to do just that.When introducing this tool, it is important to set expectations so that the portable desks are not misused. Once students understand the expectations of using … [Read more...] about Portable Desks
Walk and Talk
Student Contributor: K. Reed This tool allows the teacher and student(s) to have a meaningful conversation addressing concerns from both parties about issues that have arose. The Walk and Talk strategy also pushes the student to take responsibility and determine a solution to fix the issue. This tool is helpful because it addresses and aims to correct the issue without damaging the student-teacher relationship.During an appropriate time of the day, such as … [Read more...] about Walk and Talk
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
Completion Hoop
Student Contributor: H. Barsness The Completion Hoop is used for helping students want to complete tasks throughout the day, and provides a fun way to celebrate their progress.The Completion Hoop should be used one student at a time. I have let students do up to three shots to try and make the basket. The hoop is used one student at a time. As students finish a task, they raise their hands to be checked off on their progress. Once the student gets … [Read more...] about Completion Hoop
Reward Coupons
Student Contributor: R. Castro Implementing the reward coupons tool in the classroom is a great way to maintain classroom discipline. When the students behave, they are recognized by their teacher. The teacher gives them the option to choose a coupon of their choice.This tool should be created by the teacher and used by the students. The coupons can range from being able to sit at the teacher's desk, to be the leader of the line. They should be … [Read more...] about Reward Coupons
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!