Some Randomness!

Here are some random ideas from the past few weeks....

So, I have a REALLY challenging bunch of firsties. Lots of behaviour issues, so we spend a lot of time practicing behaviours and expectations. One thing we did this week is talk about being a good listener. I read this book:

Then I showed the students this picture of a student. I got the clipart from here, put the image on my projector, and traced/coloured it. I asked the students what they noticed about this boy and how was he being a good listener at the carpet. I taped the cards to the poster as the students noticed those things. One student said his brain was thinking about what was going on. I thought that was super cute so I added it to my list of cards! If you would like the labels you can download them here. I keep this poster by the carpet area all the time so I can refer back to it everyday!

Today was our school-wide Terry Fox Run (for all you Canadian followers). My little ones did really good with the 45 minute walk to the park. They were a TEENSY bit tired on the way back though! Yesterday we talked about who Terry Fox was and why we do the run every year. There is a really good video about Terry Fox on YouTube. Click the picture for the link!

 

I found this sneaker activity on Scholastic (download here). We each decorated a sneaker and cut them out to show our support for the Terry Fox Run. They look pretty good up there all together!

I loved this management idea from First Grade Glitter and Giggles. My first graders are always asking "Can I use markers?" or "What do I do first?" I have a label for all the supplies we use and put them up in order of which supplies I want them to use first. Feel free to download the label cards here. Just laminate and stick some magnetic tape on the back!

American spelling of "color" can be downloaded {here}.

Here is another behaviour management ideas... I had A LOT of tattling going on the first few weeks. So I read the book "How to Be a Friend" by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown. We talked about ways to be a friend and ways to NOT be a friend. We did some role playing with some common conflicts (name calling, not sharing, cutting in line, etc.) Then we talked about the plan:

 1. Stop what is going on.

2. Talk about the problem.

"I don't like it when you _______."

3. Fix it!

  Download the pictures and signs here.

All I need to do now is say, "Stop, Talk, Fix!" and they know that they have to try and solve their own conflict!

Well, that's all I have for tonight! To come tomorrow.... Math Stations - Set 1!

Good night, everybody!