Posts tagged "Classroom"

Spring Break for Teachers

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Spring break is here.  It is a time to rest, refocus, and gear up for the remainder of the year.  You may take the time to rejuvenate and not do a single thing for your classroom, or you may spend some time planning.  Spring break is a great turning point in the year.  This year, I am spending my break going through my resources guides and materials.  When I began my teaching career, I felt the need to purchase many items for my classroom.  I still use many of these guides; however, I find that they are not grouped in the most organized way, and I tend to forget about them.  This year I am going to review my lesson plans and make note of which books I refer to most often.  I am going to write a summary of the book on a color-coded index card depending on the subject ares, and then tape it onto the book.  Since I use these books daily, this will go smoothly.  Next, I plan to skim the resources that I have not used for awhile.  When I am skimming, I will write how I can use the book in the next several months and what curriculum area or standards the activities meet.  After I organize the books according to subject area, I will make an inventory list.  I also plan to give the books that I no longer use to other teachers.  This will be the hardest part for me because I want to hold on to everything.

Hopefully, you will rest or find a project to work on over the break.  Pick something that you normally would not have time to do and get started.  However, if you just want to enjoy your break, do that.  You have worked hard all year and deserve a break!

Test Prep for your Classroom

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Test prep activities for your classroom do not have to be dull and boring.  There are many great resources for test prep including resources guides, games, and critical thinking activities.  While you have been thinking about the big testing days all year long, you are most likely stepping in to high gear now and really focusing on getting ready.  Whether you are getting students ready for statewide standardized tests, quarterly reading and math assessments, or an end of the unit quiz, preparing for the tests is a worthwhile classroom activity.  One of the most important part of test taking is learning how to take a test.  Test prep activities can introduce testing taking skills like learning strategies for answering multiple choice questions and open ended questions.  There are also many great resources that introduce various brainstorming strategies for writing essay responses.  Great test prep material does not replace quality teaching throughout the year, but the right resources can be a great supplement.

Once you choose what materials you want to use in your classroom, you need to find time to incorporate these activities into your daily routine.  Most of these activities are short and easy to add to your day.  Try a multiple choice practice page as a warm-up task when the students come into the classroom at the beginning of the day or after lunch.  Another idea would be to add a game that focuses on test taking strategies into a center or small group activity.  If you know of several students who would benefit from certain activities, pull them and work with them while the rest of the class is doing an independent assignment.  Again by focusing on test taking skills in addition to the subjects being tested, students will gain important life-long skills.

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