Quick Links to Help you Ward off Classroom Insanity (yours and theirs)

It’s that time again!  Vacation countdown has begun and with that, the corresponding chaos that occurs in all of our lives!  I have a recollection of years ago, kids coming in to class moaning “not another word search!”- one of the special holiday lesson treats we had in line for them!  Well, times have changed and there are lots of learning activities and opportunities to get their attention this last week of school!

Media Literacy

This is the best time of year to examine how toy ads influence children…why not watch some commercials with kids and dissect them.  Check out these lesson ideas and resources from Middle Web .

Speaking of media literacy – is now a good time to delve into the issue of fake news? 

Some say we, as teachers, might need a little help in this area.

Try these activities out!

Looking for Winter Holiday Lesson Plans and activities?  Try these from NEA.

Want to get their attention?  Watch this video about dividing your attention with your students…sure to amaze them. (Try it...takes just a couple of minutes).

See if your kids can identify these objects that have been magnified?  Can they take their own close up pictures to see if you can identify them?  Your perspective

Some quick links to share with kids to keep the learning going!

 Cool Math Games!  At http://www.coolmath-games.com/1-winter-holiday-games

Multiplication game http://www.multiplication.com/games/play/holiday-fun

Holiday Games http://www.mathplayground.com/holiday_games_for_kids.html

I just cannot get enough of the website “The Kids Should See This” – Smart Videos for Curious Minds of All Ages!  There are so many great categories – How things are made – Robots – Orchestras – Poop – something for everyone.  Let them pick a category, show the video and ask what they are curious about!

Take some deep breaths!

Take some time for yourself this holiday to laugh a little, read a juicy novel for fun, recharge with family and show gratitude (yup…apparently that is good for your health in 31 different ways!) 

'Twas 5 Days before Winter Break

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas 5 days before school break and all through the class

Not a brain cell was stirring, must think and think fast

The objectives were posted on the board with care

In hopes that good thinking, soon would be there.

The children were dressed in bright blue, green and reds

As visions of vacation days danced in their heads

And Marie in her Ugg boots and Jon in his cap

Had just settled their brains for a short in-class nap

When all of a sudden there arose such a clatter

They sprang from their chairs to see what was the matter.

Away to my laptop I flew like a flash

Turned on the projector and sent them to the hash (tag)

The look on the kid’s faces along the back row

Showed a bit of a stirring, a glimmer, a glow

When what to my wondering eyes did appear

But a live online chat and ideas to share

With hot topics the kids were so lively and quick

I knew in a moment that this was the trick.

More rapid than eagles their thinking it came

I whispered and smiled and called them by name

Now SCAN tool, Edmodo, Today’s Meet and Wiki

On laptops, on Ipads, on mobiles with twitter

To the top of Blooms Pyramid, to the top of the class

Now think away, think away, think and think fast

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky

Up to the tallest heights the ideas they flew

With creativity, critical thinking, and communication so new

And then, in a twinkling, I saw on the screen

The comments and thoughts of each one of those teens

As I stood there amazed my thoughts swirling around

In came the principal with some thoughts profound

She was dressed all professional from her head to her foot

And her tablet was open to observe something good

A bundle of energy we had in the class

She was so impressed she got in on the task

Their work, how it sparkled, the ideas so fresh

The comments were helpful, their words start to mesh

They supported their arguments with evidence and more

Their writing more confident than ever before.

I spoke not a word, let them go with their work

And watched as they collaborated as I just did lurk.

And after the bell rang, not one child rose

Too engaged to hear it, I had to suppose

I sprang to the door as the kids cried out loud

And assured them their work was saved to the cloud.

I heard them exclaim as they moved out the door

When can we come back and do this some more?