Thanksgiving Day and Daily Routines

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Thanksgiving Topics

From Curtis Stuart, a ninth grade language arts teacher:

"I ask my students to write an essay about giving thanks. I incorporate the writing process and encourage my students to offer their suggestions at every stage of the essay.

"We start with prewriting. We use either free writing or use a variety of brainstorming activities to generate lists of ideas. I encourage students to not edit their thoughts but rather write down all the things for which they are thankful. Some students will share their lists and others are inspired to jot down their own feelings.

"I pass around copies of an essay I wrote last year about giving thanks and read it aloud to the class. I explain to the class the type of changes I will make to update my essay. Many events have occurred this year that have changed my perspective. Some parts stay the same; others change.

"At all stages of the writing process -- pre-writing, drafting, editing, publishing or sharing -- I encourage students to get feedback from their classmates by reading their work aloud or by having a peer read their work.

I hope that this activity brings more meaning to the holiday than just having time off from school. I write along with my students to model the writing process and demonstrate how ideas change. This practice builds community in my classroom and provides all students with an opportunity to experience a writer's supportive classroom."
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2. End of the Day Routines

From Stephanie, a second grade teacher in Long Island, New Yor:

"I make cleaning up the classroom part of the classroom jobs. I have two students clean the floor, one in charge of the closet, one in charge of sharpening pencils, two to check the supply area, one to put absent students' chairs up, one to put back lunch clothespins, etc. I remind them to do it before we leave for the day. These jobs change weekly, and I let students pick their jobs on Mondays so they are more likely to do that particular job for the week. I do my clean up while the students are getting ready to go home or are waiting for announcements to leave the classroom."
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3. Question of the Week: Students' Attention

From the Worker Bees:

"Are you having trouble getting and keeping your students' attention? What do you do to reel them in and not let them off the hook? Please share your tricks of the trade?"
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4. Thesaurus Recommendation

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge:

"I'm looking for a quality student thesaurus for students in grades 3-6. Please note why you recommend it."
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