Tracking Behavior FREEBIE

Behavior management is a big part of what I do. The group I have NEEDS clear cut expectations. When expectations are not clear, I start to see arguing or whining.

To help them manage their behavior, I use Daily Behavior Recording Cards. These are logs that I created that follow our campus wide "Be a H.E.R.O." initiative. I have taken the acronym and added a few examples.

Implementing these cards is easy. I use a points system and the points system is related to my reward system. I do not allow the kids to hold on to these cards as we have a tendency to lose them :) I keep them in a clip and ask one student to pass them out at the end of class. As they pack up their things and turn in their pencils I go from desk to desk and quickly write their points. Once they have viewed their score, they turn it in and are dismissed from class. They take them home on Fridays and have them signed.

My class features an economy system. Their points directly translate to money 1pt+ $0.01.

Enjoy this FREEBIE :)

Spelling Practice (Freebie!)

Tired of plain ol' spelling practice? Your kids probably are too! Have them practice through "texting" and you will feel like ooh lala super high tech teacher.

Using these free print out from Ms. Gilchrist Class blog, your students can practice their spelling words.

I printed and laminated for durability. Enjoy!

http://mrsgilchristsclass.blogspot.com/2011/11/ipad-spelling-freebie.html

Implementing Interactive Notebooks

We come to the point of implementing the notebooks. To make an Interactive Notebook, please see previous post. Your goal is to create a system and attitude towards notes that promote its usefullness and necesity. You will need procedures to meet this goal.




The most effective way to take notes is in small group. I have a small group rotation everyday. I place myself at a teach table and I begin with the notes. I have a notebook and take notes with the group. It is beneficial to keep a notebook for each group. Sometimes I may have a group that is behind the other two groups. Because I keep the same notebook they keep and have one for each group, I am able to pick up where we left off.




It is important to give ample opportunity to use the notes. After we take notes we complete an activity. They are allowed to use their notes as needed. Before taking a big test we usually play a game of Jeopardy created by yours truly on Power Point. They are able to use their notes for the activity.



Gem of an Idea #1


Organize notes by unit. Simply put, it's easier for an elementary brain to reference a clearly labled book with only relevant information than sift through a huge spiral of everything they've learned all year. If you're teaching measurement, make a "Measurement Book." If you are teaching geometry, make a "Geometry Book." Your students could always clip their books together if it makes it easier to hang on to.





Gem of an Idea #2

Use graphic organizers as often as possible. This idea is particularly beneficial for students receiving special education services. Recently I worked with my students to create notes for three types of triangles. I had recently used T Charts and wanted to switch it up. I asked them to draw a big peace sign and we used the three parts for notes.

Gem of an Idea # 3


Meet the needs of students with note taking assistance by printing the notes in advance. Allow them to cut and glue their notes as needed. You may also print the notes, but leave out vocabulary and ask the student to write it in.

The Power of Interactive Notebooks (Free Tutorial!)

Back in the days of being a student, I remember hating taking notes. Like, capital H Hate. If I could somehow manage to make my ADHD brain follow along, I still didn't enjoy it. When I got to college, I had enough responsibility in my veins to do it without being required to do so, simply because I knew that I could pass a test if I had previously written the information down.

Meaningful notetaking has been a lingering notion for me but until recently I couldn't really figure out a way to teach it well. It's easy to require it and it's easy to plan it, but I want my students to make a strong connection between the process and their success. A student with a disability needs to understand that organization and having a process is another way to compensate and overcome a disability. You with me?

So I start like this, I have them physically make a notebook. We have spirals but I don't want any ol' spiral. I want this to a special project as we begin a unit on geometry. My students enjoy making them (even if it takes us a few minutes).

Start with a few sheets of paper (more or less depending on how much content will go in to the notebook). It's always better to plan an extra page or so as it's easier to waste half a page than try to attach one. Fold them hamburger style and staple.