Six Strategies for an Inviting Classroom

While structure and the feeling of a serious learning environment are important, an inviting classroom where students feel secure and welcome is also critical to achieving inclusion for all students. Here are six different strategies for increasing the comfort factor of your classroom.

Lighting.

Yes, you’re going to have the traditional florescent ceiling lights no matter what you do. And yes, they are necessary for consistent illumination of class-wide seat work. But for those special little areas where you gather for story time, small group work, center activities or that special reading niche the students love to go to after they finish assignments, a task light creates not only some extra direct lighting for the task at hand, but some groovy atmosphere as well.

Special seating.

A couch, rocker, hammock, floor cushions, bean bags and stuffed back rests all create a special atmosphere for students of all ages. I’ve seen high school kids get as excited about couch time as primary and intermediate level students. You can still require them to have something to work on in those spots, but make them a special situation. A reward for good behavior, allowable only after completed assignments, or for center time only are all examples of how you can work in special seating in an academically appropriate way.

A therapy animal.

Generally, this is some sort of smaller class pet like a fish in a tank, a rabbit or even a ferret. However, this can turn into a maintenance issue for the teacher, and a logistical issue for room parents as well during school vacations. If you and your room parents are up for that, fine. But if you have a progressive school district and the money to put into some serious formal training of your own personal pet, consider a therapy dog. This requires that as a teacher you want to own your own dog, and have an interest in providing your dog with opportunities both in the classroom and local hospital wards. Personally, I’ve had to provide a successful inclusion experience for a fairly diverse group of students over the years and happen to believe the counselor’s office isn’t the only appropriate place for a therapy animal. Children really do relax when there’s an animal in the room. Reading to a pet is an excellent ESL or special needs education strategy, as I’ve touched on previously.

Snack tins.

These work great for crackers or the occasional candy treat. They are air tight and keep the bugs out in tropical or desert environments. It’s also nice to have a whole grain backup for the kiddos who forget snacks. For some kids, that’s what helps keep the stomach growlies at bay until they get free lunch later in the day. It’s an affordable strategy to implement, and often one your PTA can support you with. Or, if your parents are open to it, add crackers to your classroom restock list.

Unified storage.

One or two cabinets with lockable doors is probably a necessity, especially if you are teaching in a school that is routinely used as a storage shelter or have students with extra special needs where boundaries are concerned. They don’t have to look cold and uninviting. In fact, a coordinating couple of shelved cabinets can signify a place where all the special treasures are kept. It also keeps things visually simple and grounded for autistic or easily distracted children. For any open shelving storage, consider going with matching baskets, clear containers or mesh metal bins to provide a coordinated, organized look. If you can’t do it, then you can’t do it. But if classroom budget and PTA support permit, I encourage you to give it a whirl. Many children are easily distracted by what they perceive as too many options, especially if they haven’t been raised with a great deal of structure on the home front. Having an organized room helps them get into the groove academically.

An idea wall.

You could do this in a number of ways, but one of the coolest and most affordable ways I can think of is by using Idea Paint. The cost is much less than larger white boards, and having a large block of open writing space that’s only for creative brainstorming session that can’t fit on the board is fantastic. I think this is a fantastic way to provide structured learning yet set a subtle backdrop that promotes out of the box thinking. Walking the line between classroom creativity and guided instruction can be tough, especially where the inclusion of special needs students is concerned.

 

These are my top six picks for affordable classroom setup, something I consider a critical and integral component of successful classroom management. Other management articles here at LessonMag.Com include Four Hot Tips for a Smooth Running Classrom, Reviews that Rock, Twenty-five Ways to Say Good Job, Learning Centers for Less, Classroom management Hacks and Low Cost / No Cost Student Rewards. Do you have a unique suggestion for setting up an inviting classroom that promotes creativity as well as structure and academics? How do you allow for the inclusion of students with any type of need?

Photo Credit: Liz Marie

Stretch that Teacher’s Salary Even Further with this Stylish New Budget Book

We all know classroom teaching isn’t exactly a big money profession. The constant supplementing of classroom materials many of us do cuts into take home pay even further. Tired of feeling like a pauper after all your efforts? Check out this new book by the writers of WiseBread.Com.

10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget is filled with tips and tricks to live an extremely fantastic lifestyle on way less money than you might imagine. A few of the high points?

• An entire section on price breaks and savvy tips for your child’s education.
• Easy to read breakdowns of normally eye-crossing financial planning concepts.
• Fifty ways to get more bang out of your health care buck.
• Twelve ways to live rent and mortgage free.
• Professional grade tips on manicure maintenance.
• Elegant entertainment on a dime.
• Travel tips to see the world for less than it would ever cost you to live at home.
• How to power shop your way to financial independence.

While other budget gurus seem obsessed with the perspective that being on a budget has to be a dreary existence full of self sacrifice, the folks at Wise Bread know that frugality doesn’t have to be dull. It’s entirely possible to live within your means, and do so with serious style. Online shoppers are clearly buying their message. The title shot to Amazon’s number one sales rank in the budget and money management category days before it’s official release date of May 18th. So hop off the boring train and hitch a ride on the Get a Life Express.

Readers of this post have a chance to win a free autographed copy of 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget. Just leave a comment below telling me why you need / want a copy of this book and you’ll be entered to win. That’s it. I’ll mail the winner (chosen with random integer generator) an autographed copy on my dime. Good luck folks, and don’t forget to check out a few of our other great articles while you’re here. (Must reside in the United States to enter. Contest ends May 31, 2009.)

Disclaimer: This author has several articles published in the aforementioned title.

Photo Credit: WiseBread.Com

Spelling Activities: Twenty-Seven Ways to Practice in Style

Spelling lists are a necessary part of our weekly routine. We all want our students to do well, but still need to spend time creating exciting lessons for the rest of the curriculum. So how do we keep the spelling activities familiar enough to allow for self direction, yet fresh enough that the students won’t balk at the idea of doing them? Here are twenty-seven tips for primary through high school to help get you started.

For starters, having a deep repertoire of practice activities is critical. You want the activities to feel familiar when the come again in the classroom, so students will be able to immediately get to work. However, you don’t want to repeat a certain activity too many times, or it will become boring for the children. Also (and this is just a personal opinion), it helps to have a fair number of the spelling practice activities take place while you are busy with small group instruction or circulating the room to reinforce on task behavior. It just sets things up for success from a classroom management perspective. Here are several that I’ve used at various grade levels over the years, and a couple that I ran across just recently.

Spelling memory.

Similar to definition match up for vocabulary instruction, you’ll need index cards for this as well. It’s great for sight word based spelling lists as well as harder to spell terms. Basically, two separate cards are needed for each word, as well as an initial copied list to check off found words from. Since students create their own master game list and word cards, this makes the age old traditional assignment of copying down each word 2-3 times meaningful and game – based as opposed to boring and tedious. My experience is that children up to at least fifth grade enjoy this activity.

A manuscript and cursive T-chart.

This one works well for grades where you’re transitioning from manuscript to cursive penmanship, or for ESL groups that are learning both versions of the new alphabet. Require name and date in the top right hand corner of the looseleaf page, and keep the top margin available to label each column of the T-chart. This way the students are responsible for their own lists, and get the initial practice of having to write each word twice. It’s an authentic activity as well, because taking home a spelling list is necessary for weeknight study activities. This technique also reinforces both spelling and penmanship without taking time away from other holistic lessons and activities.

Parts of speech sorting mats.

This can be used with story vocabulary spelling lists as well as sight words. Divide a sheet of looseleaf notebook paper into two columns, and then add lines to form four to six separate rows of two cells each. Label each section with a separate part of speech such as adjective, conjunction, verb, pronoun, etc. Have students create individual word cards by using cut apart sections of index cards and copying the words from the spelling list on the board. They will then practice sorting the word cards onto the various sections of the parts of speech mat. Using the dictionary and story the words are pulled from, the students will also need to copy a fresh list onto notebook paper, making notations as the parts of speech for each word. They can use it to check their answers. Have each student create their own set of materials, but work next to a partner so they can check each other’s work. If you’re not sure what a sorting mat should look like, check out some of the coupon sorting mats used by money saving mothers around the internet. It will give you a pretty good idea of how this spelling lesson should work. If you don’t want to take the time to have students create their own mats, use our multipurpose game board strategy and use this as a small group or buddy pairs center activity.

Newspaper search.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of using things like newspapers and phone books as affordable classroom materials. Here’s a super cheap spelling activity students can work on using nothing but their own supplies and donated newspapers. Have students create a T-chart on a piece of notebook paper by drawing lines with their pencil. After recording name, date and assignment information in the top right corner, the spelling words need to be copied in order down the left hand side of the paper. Using their own scissors and glue sticks along with one new newspaper each, students will search for examples of each word to cut out and paste directly across from the corresponding hand written word in the next column. If a reasonable attempt has been made to find full examples of each word and some are still missing, students may resort to cutting out individual letters to assemble the remaining words letter by letter.

Three – column term / antonym / synonym charts.

You might need to have the class orient their notebook papers horizontally for this one, depending on the average length of the spelling words that week. Label the tops of the columns with the three categories mentioned, placing the terms category first. Then, assign research of antonyms and synonyms for each word, and have the students record them in the appropriate slot in the chart, on the same line as the corresponding term. For those occasions where there isn’t a synonym or antonym to be found, record a dash  (hyphen)  in the slot. This will make their overall charts look complete data wise, and yet let you know what could or could not be found.

Secret code.

Kids of all ages love to solve secret code puzzles. Why not work this in to your weekly spelling routine? Members of our curriculum web site, TheLessonMachine.Com, have this provided for them in all of our units anyway. For those who are just starting out however, you could always have the students create their own and have a partner solve them. Or, you could create one of your own and list each word in code on the board. Then work as a group or assign independent decoding of the spelling words as a sponge activity.

Pictionary or charades.

This doesn’t exactly work with every single word, but there are usually at least a few terms each week that are suitable. Establish a set of workable rules and use either one of these as a sponge activity for getting kids to line up, or to kill a few minutes while waiting for the art specialist to arrive.

Story retellings.

This only works if you are integrating your spelling words with your weekly classroom literature choice. Require a minimal number of terms to be used, and require students to rewrite the story to be told in their own voice. This gives you an integrated writing, spelling and reading assignment with only one project to grade.

Syllabication and accent breakdowns.

You can do this not only in written form, but also with oral and kinesthetic strategies. Integrate dictionary skills practice as well by looking up each word together as a group. Pronounce the words together as a class. I also like to pronounce the words in sections as well. For example, if it’s a five syllable word, say the word in its entirety, followed by the first two syllables only, then the first three, first four and the word in its entirety again. I say the word or sections of the word first and have the students repeat after me. This works REALLY well with ESL students. Still looking for the kinesthetic connection? As you say each syllable, touch a different joint, starting with your shoulder and working your way down one arm and up the next. Or, have them count out the syllables on their fingers. It’s a great way to work on syllable count in morning language, if you are the type to write up a simple paragraph using some words from the spelling list.

Prefix and suffix breakdowns.

You can work this one in as words come up certainly, but if you are looking to cover the concepts with a strong initial focus, it might be good to concoct a list on a week where you don’t necessarily have a separate story to read. (For example, when you  are allowing extra time to work on a science or social studies report.) That way, the vocabulary for that assignment will already be familiar to the students and you’ll have the open slot to create a prefix and suffix rich list for that week. Cover what the most common prefix and suffix combinations are and what they mean. Use this information to decode word meanings as a group and work in the concept of root words.

Word search puzzles.

These are again something we work in with all of our literature units as a way for teachers to have access to a meaningful sponge activity every week. However, they can also make a great DIY activity for the children. They can use quarter-inch or larger graph paper to create two copies each of their own word search puzzle. Place the words in the puzzle from all directions and then fill in other letters into the open squares randomly. Just make sure the second copy is the exact replica. (Or photocopy the original) One will have the answers highlighted in red (or another color) and the other will not. Glue each graph paper to opposite sides of a slightly larger piece of colored construction paper and slip into a sheet protector. Then, using grease pencils or water based overhead projector markers, they can swap with a buddy to each have a unique word search puzzle  that they can self check afterward.

Rhyming matrix.

Students can either create one on notebook paper or in their journals using a pencil or create one on the computer using the insertion of a table with multiple rows and columns. In the first column on the left hand side, list the spelling words placing one term in each table cell. Several cells will be to the right of it for adding rhyming words that correspond with that particular word. I would shoot for a minimum of five rhyming words for each spelling term, but do what you think meets the needs of your class. This creates an impressive looking final chart that is more grown up in appearance than your basic rhyming list, and also gives the students practice with charts and tables.

ABC order.

An oldie? Yes. But valid, nonetheless. Being able to alphabetize data is a skill we need into adulthood. Granted, if you have older students you’ll want to have them alphabetize the list in addition to another activity, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to work it in.

Incorporate alliteration.

Assign spelling sentences for each word where every word in the sentence starts with the same letter as the spelling word. (Or at least as many as possible.)

Word form wackiness.

See how many forms of each spelling word you and your students can come up with as a group. (past and future tenses, suffix or prefix additions, etc.)

In the Bag.

I’ve mentioned this game before as being popular with nearly every grade. It requires nothing but basic information on word strips, cut paper or index cards stuffed in a paper sack for on the fly review games. Here’s a link to a full article on how to set one up.

Direction cards for line up order.

Basically, you call on one student at a time to complete a particular spelling task before they are allowed to line up for recess. If you have more students than words, it’s no big deal. Just start through the list again. Some examples: spell a word while standing on one foot, spell a certain word backwards, sign language spelling, spell and use in a sentence, etc.

Body Boggle.

This full body floor game is great for competing in teams of two for larger words, or one student against the other for shorter words. Use for indoor recess, or a center activity.

Anagrams and palindromes.

Children in intermediate grades and above have fun spelling a different word with letters from a particular vocabulary term (anagram) or noticing that a word is spelled the same forward and backward (palindrome). Incorporate these ideas as appropriate.

Stencils and stamps.

For younger children or any learner needing an extra kinesthetic element to spelling instruction, have stencils and alphabet stamps available for students to create each spelling word letter by letter on its own index card. Then they can punch a hole in the top left corner of each card and thread them on a book ring to take home for extra practice.

Rainbow writing.

This is a definite hit with first and second graders. Using larger lined index cards or sections of sentence strips, have the students copy their spelling words one at a time in pencil using their best penmanship. The larger handwriting makes this a perfect time to incorporate rainbow lettering. After each word has been written, have the children take a word at a time and copy over it using a different color crayon. Then another, and another until they have four-six colors copied over the original lettering. The colors should overlap creating a rainbow effect. Primary children love rainbows, so this is a fantastic way to get the age old “write your spelling words x number of times” assignment to have meaning for them. It’s also a great science integration if you happen to be covering rainbows, crystals and light bending concepts.

DIY bingo.

Use extra large graph paper with squares that are 13 inches in width. Have each student place a different spelling word in a random square (allowing some to actually be in straight or diagonal lines) until each word has been use. Then have them fill in the extra squares with random words. Then they can switch with a partner, and using dried lima beans as game pieces you call out the words until someone has a straight line of covered terms for “Bingo”.

Morse code.

Work in a nearly lost art by assigning conversions of the spelling words into this form of code. Then have them switch lists to decode back to the original words.

Sidewalk chalk.

Take the kids out for recess a few minutes early and let them practice spelling words using sidewalk chalk and a checklist. Collect the chalk in a bucket afterwards and let the children keep the lists in their pockets. This way they’ll make it home for study time.

Dry erase markers on sliding glass doors or windows.

The writing can be removed with spray cleaner and the activity as a whole has a fair bit of fun factor. Great for home schooling or resource rooms.

Self selected spelling study.

I can’t take credit for this one. Although I think it’s super cool. Here’s a chart a teacher put together of various ways he’ll allow the children to work on their spelling homework. Rather impressive, in my opinion.

Spelling aerobics.

Again, not my idea but a great one regardless. Here’s a link to some ideas on how to try this out in your classroom.

As you can see, there are more than enough ideas here to keep things fresh throughout each grading quarter, no matter what grade level you teach. Several of these activities could also be incorporated into a bulletin board learning center for older students. However you decide to incorporate them, your spelling activities will be seamlessly integrated into your overall classroom routine.

Photo Credit: Got Plaid?