Student Contributor: A. Lester An Outstanding You is given to students mostly by teachers for good behavior, doing great on an assignment, being helpful, or anything that ties back to the school motto of being Responsible, Respectful, and Safe. They can then be used in different ways depending on the teacher/classroom. These are helpful because students know the ways in order to earn them, so they want to be on their best behavior in order to gain an … [Read more...] about Outstanding You
6th-8th
Popsicle Stick Groups
Student Contributor: s. Killian To help divide the students into groups of 4 or 5 in a more culturally responsive and inclusive way, have students select a color-coded stick at random. Then randomly draw a colored block or paper to let students know where their group will be working.Before the lesson, prepare popsicle sticks by coloring a spot at the end of the popsicle stick. There should be 4-5 sticks for each color and one color used for each group. The … [Read more...] about Popsicle Stick Groups
Student Store Dollar
Student Contributor: A. Lester A Student Store Dollar is given by the teacher to the students. It’s used to reward students for either doing good on a test or an achievement and they can use it towards the 6th grade student store. It’s helpful in the sense that students can work towards getting one and then use it to get a treat.In the 6th grade classroom, the students run a store that contains different types of treats. Such as cookies, candy bars, beef … [Read more...] about Student Store Dollar
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
Daily Zones Check-in
Student Contributor: G. Robinett Every morning, when students first sit down, they will fill out the "Zones Check-in" Slip. The teacher will collect these slips and will be able to quickly sort through them, in order to gauge exactly how all of their students are feeling, with no interruption or distraction. This will also give the students an opportunity to alert to the teacher that they might not be doing so great and need to talk with the teacher.This … [Read more...] about Daily Zones Check-in
Hallway Clothes Pins
Student Contributor: S. Burton This tool is helpful as it gives students some responsibility plus the teacher is able to know where everyone is with a simple look at the door.Each student is provided with their own close pin with their name, this is placed by the door. When a child needs to leave the room, they simply place their close pin in the desired box then go to their desired location. Clear expectations of limits regarding how many times and how … [Read more...] about Hallway Clothes Pins
Inverse Cue
Student Contributor: S. Killian Using a cue to grab the students’ attention can be helpful especially when it reinforces math vocabulary. After saying a positive or negative number, students will say the inverse or opposite number. This is a helpful tool for moving groups to the next station in a timely matter.Inverse Cue is a great way to help reinforce what an inverse or opposite operation is for one-step equations or inequalities. Before using this cue, … [Read more...] about Inverse Cue
Talking Pencils
Student Contributor: E. Adkisson Giving students the time to have meaningful discussions with sentence frames will teach them how to share their opinions with others. The sentence frames will help guide the conversation when there is a difference in opinions,The talking pencil tool is helpful because students will be in groups of 3-4 and the teacher will pose a question for each student to answer. In order to share their opinion students must place their … [Read more...] about Talking Pencils
“Ask, Don’t Tell”
Student Contributor: E. Adkisson The "Ask, Don't Tell" approach is helpful to students because they are constantly being told what to do. Students are also often told how they are feeling or how to fix it. This method causes the teacher to ask the students questions about how they are feeling rather than relying on their body language.This tool should be used in settings where students are feeling overwhelmed, sad, angry or any high emotions. Teachers are … [Read more...] about “Ask, Don’t Tell”
Play a Song
Student Contributor: C. Sanchez Teachers will play a positive and happy song when their students are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with school. A teacher will utilize this as a preventative strategy.This tool is to be used when students are feeling overwhelmed with what they are learning. A teacher might most frequently use this during a hard unit of school that they know is difficult. IF students are starting to get upset or their work level has gone … [Read more...] about Play a Song