Saturday, October 11, 2014

How to Talk LESS as a Teacher!

These days, teachers are being told to talk less and to let the kids explore more. I didn't really buy into the idea at first (like most stuff that gets thrown at us weekly, if not daily), but yesterday, I really tried to focus on it and give it a try.
I'm reporting my findings to you, fellow teachers, and giving you three things you can try out in your classroom. 
Some things were painstaking to watch...like hearing one first grader explain to another first grade why 6 + 11 = 10, but I held back the urge to immediately correct my little friend, and what happened next was awesome... his partner corrected him, and showed him how to use the number line to find the right answer!
Maybe me talking less isn't such a bad thing after all...

Here's how I talk less:




I hope there's at least one of these ideas that you can see yourself trying out with your students. It's really helped out in my class so much and I can't wait to see where me talking LESS takes us this school year!

Have a great weekend!
XOXO
Mrs. O'Brien

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Wormy, the Sight Word Worm: Learning Sight Words in a Fun Way!







I'm excited to see my first graders' sight word knowledge grow through the use of Wormy! I hope you can use this idea with your kiddos and I pray your year is off to a great start!

XO
Mrs. O'Brien

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Fall into Reading: Fall Themed Books, Passages, and Activities to Keep Your Students Busy!

Idea: Bring a pumpkin into the classroom. Take estimated guesses from your students about how many seeds are inside.
 

Idea: Bring apples into the class. Study the seeds and discuss the plant life cycle. Encourage the students to go home and plant the seeds so that they can grow their own apple trees!

 

 Idea: Have your students make their own Leaf Men made from real leaves they've collected outside.







For a more detailed explanation of how to use this product throughout the week to make guided and close reading easy, click here!