Student Contributor: A. Goo The classroom environment is very important when taking into account how students are learning and what you are wanting when planning the lay out and materials in your room. Students can feel more attentive when learning and have a sense of enjoyment in being able to feel engaged and excited to be in the class community.There are various forms of ways to have flexible seating within your classroom. This could be through … [Read more...] about Classroom Flexible Seating
Collaborative & Teacher Directed
Fidget Tools
Student Contributor: A. Goo A wide range of students may struggle with anxiety and or adhd among other things within the classroom. Fidget tools when appropriately used are helpful for many students to relieve stress and aid focus in the classroom.When planning the use of fidget tools it is important to be aware of which tools will be helpful and not a distraction in the classroom. After choosing a variety of fidget tools it is crucial to introduce along … [Read more...] about Fidget Tools
First Chapter Friday
Student Contributor: K. Johansen This tool is helpful to introduce students to new books when they are required to have independent reading time during class. This tool can help students who struggle to find new books that they want to read.This tool can be used once a month or every Friday, or the chosen day of the week, as I used it. This tool is great to use when you have students who are struggling to get interested in reading or books as the teacher … [Read more...] about First Chapter Friday
10/10 Rule
Student Contributor: K. Johansen This tool helps prevent the number of times students ask to leave the room during important informational times. This is done by implementing the 10/10 rule where students don't leave the room during the first or last ten minutes of class.This tool is best implemented at the beginning of the year when classroom rules are being discussed as this tool should be continued throughout the whole year for maximum effect. This … [Read more...] about 10/10 Rule
Give Me 5
Student Contributor: O. Rudolph This is a simple tool that is verbal & nonverbal. It works as a call and response tool for the classroom. You can use this tool as a quick way to get students' attention.This tool is a way to get the attention of the entire class. The teacher raises their hand and says “give me 5” while slowly putting up one finger at a time until they have a hand of 5 raised. The teacher keeps their hand in the air until the whole class … [Read more...] about Give Me 5
Think Time
Student Contributor: J. Holien This is a half sheet paper that a student will fill out when a misbehavior occurs, and then discuss with their teacher. This form should be used when a bigger misbehavior occurs.This tool should be used when bigger misbehaviors or repeat behaviors occur. Like a time out, it gives the student time to calm down and process the behavior and it has the student and teacher think about what the student can do differently next … [Read more...] about Think Time
“Hey Hey!” “Listen Up!”
Student Contributor: J. Holien This is a verbal “call and response” tool. Teacher says, “Hey Hey!” then students respond with “Listen Up!” *Clap Clap*. This tool is used to get students' attention.This tool should be used to get students’ attention when students are working loudly, like in groups or on a social project where they are doing a lot of talking. It prevents the teacher from having to yell directions over the class and then having students … [Read more...] about “Hey Hey!” “Listen Up!”
Reviewing Expectations
Student Contributor: K. Scherbarth Reviewing expectations is a tool that helps you confirm students know what is expected of them, reminds the students what they should be focusing on, and allows the students to take ownership and responsibly of other own actions. It is simply just reviewing what expectations are before an activity or group work assignment. It helps students be on task during the task and maximize time for student learning.This tool is the … [Read more...] about Reviewing Expectations
The Learning Pit
Student Contributor: K. Scherbarth The Learning Pit is a tool that clarifies to students that in order to experience deep learning, it will be difficult and it is okay to struggle. It is a picture that gives students a visual of how learning happens. They will learn that it is okay to fail, struggle, and have to work at a new skill before fully understanding and succeeding.The Learning Pit refers to the idea that when you learn a new concept or skill, you … [Read more...] about The Learning Pit
Kindness Chain
Student Contributor: B. Manipakone The kindness chain is a way to represent all of the kindness the students have done throughout the year. Writing down all of the kindness the has spread in the classroom builds that community in the classroom as well as supports the spread of kindness.The whole class has the opportunity to write a way to spread kindness in the classroom. Then after they write these ways, they are observed through the year and every time a … [Read more...] about Kindness Chain