Graffiti board review

We try to feature (as much as possible) ideas that can be used across content areas so they may be repeated and learned across the school year. The graffiti board review is one such activity.

Mrs. Harris from Adventures of Room 129 uses this activity as an engaging review and as a way to get [Read more…]

A guide to differentiating

Does effectively teaching 30 students in one classroom require teachers to develop 30 lessons, one tailor-made for each student? Or should teachers “aim for the middle” and hope to reach most students in a given lesson? The answer is not simple, but an article on Education.com examines the characteristics of differentiation and offers suggestions for how teachers […]

Free DI presentation

Wow! What a gift! On Andrew Weaver’s blog, Learning Support Toolbox, you will find a nice set of handouts for teaching colleagues about differentiated instruction. Did I mention it was free? Thanks for this great resource, Andrew!

TODD’S TECH TUESDAY: On-line quizzes for integrated tech

A really unique idea for tech Tuesday today. You will love this idea from Mr. Kelly, an Integrated Technology teacher. In place of a traditional pen and paper quiz, Mr. Kelly posts an online quiz with photos of students in class. Students match steps for using a belt sander, spindle sander and so on with […]

FUN FRIDAY: Swats o’ fun

As summer has turned to fall, you may be looking for uses for those classroom fly swatters. Well, Dr. Branstetter is here to help! Over at Notes from the School Psychologist, she is featuring rules for a game that (in her experience) is a real winner for students with ADHD and others needing a lot […]

TODD’S TECH TUESDAY: Over 100 ways to use word clouds

Don’t you love finding new uses for word clouds in the classroom? You may be using them to cleverly post classroom rules, analyze a speech, or learn about student interests.

A fun alternative to the desk

Do your students struggle to stay seated? A great differentiated classroom will have not only great variety in teaching materials, strategies, and formats, but in the environment itself. To meet the needs of diverse learners, try offering changes in lighting like using lamp lighting or natural lighting at times.

TODD’S TECH TUESDAY: Whiteboard #101

Whiteboards are an essential tool in a diverse, inclusive classroom as they meet the needs of visual learners and provide opportunities for students with motor planning problems to answer questions, solve problems, and explore content without holding a pencil or writing a word. If whiteboards are new in your classroom, have no fear. You can […]

It’s time to (groan) assign a group project

Do your students dread working on group projects? Do you spend too much time trying to figure out who will and won’t work well together?  We found this great visual on Math Teacher Mambo’s blog; it provides a rationale for group work and some gentle encouragement to practice communication and social skills. We think this tool […]

Never to early to purchase your starter home

We found yet another great idea from the blog Teaching in Room 6. Ms. Moorman calls it “real estate math” and uses it as a great tool to get her students using and thinking about large numbers. She uses home magazines to have her students go shopping, they are given a budget and they must purchase three […]