A Little Bit of This

In Front of the Class

by Linda Starr, Education World®

The Year in Pictures

Keep handy a digital camera or disposable camera. Take pictures throughout the year as students are engaged in special activities, or even daily routines. These pictures document learning that goes on all year long, and the photos can be used to create a yearbook or slideshow that will be a treasured memento for students and parents.

May I Be Excused?

Do your class rules state that no more than one boy and one girl can be out of the classroom on a bathroom break at one time? To monitor that, create small name cards from magnet tape and place them on a file cabinet. Label areas on the cabinet "Boy?s Room" and "Girl?s Room." If you are busy, students only need to double check to be sure no one else of their gender is out of the room, place their name card under the appropriate heading, and go.

Management By Majority

If you are facing a classroom management issue, you might try this: First, share the problem you see. Have students agree that the problem exists. Get their agreement in advance that the solution is in their hands and that they will go along with the majority-rules decision of the class. Arrange students into small groups to brainstorm possible solutions to the problem. Set aside time for students to share their solutions. Have students discuss and vote openly on the two best solutions that come out of their brainstorming sessions. Then have them vote privately on the best of the two solutions.

Two "Sense" Worth

When introducing a classroom discussion, hand each student two pennies. Explain that everyone in the class will have an opportunity "to give his or her two cents worth" on the topic. Students relinquish a penny when they add to the discussion the first time; they give up the other penny when they participate the second time. Every student can participate twice, and no student can participate more than twice. Students who often participate might hold back knowing they only have two opportunities to speak. That will give others, who might not contribute as often, an opportunity to add to the discussion.

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