Tag Archives: teaching ideas

Tips for Teachers: More Ideas for Lunch Choices

In my last Tips for Teachers article, I began offering advice on how teachers can turn over the responsibility of making a lunch choice to the students. I first described how I use a chart type lunch choice system. For upper grades, the choices can be written. In lower grades the teacher can announce the choices or use picture cards. In other classes, I have seen teachers decorate cans (such as coffee cans). Each child has a stick with their name on it. The children place the stick in the can titled with their choice for the day. I have … Continue reading →

Options for School Christmas Gift Exchange

In my article yesterday I discussed having Christmas parties at school. I also talked about the complications that can come with exchanging Christmas gifts among the students in your classroom. There are other options for teachers who wish to continue to carry out the tradition of student gifts but feel that a variation is needed from drawing names or bringing boy or girl gifts for exchange. One such variation is asking parents to send a small item for each child in the class. For example if your classroom has 18 students, each child will bring 18 of the same items. … Continue reading →

Teaching Auditory Learners

As stated in a previous article, there are three major types of student learners. It is the duty of the teacher to plan and prepare for all three types. Teachers have much to consider when planning a lesson. At times it can be difficult to find the time or energy to address every learning type in every lesson that you plan. However, there are simple things that you can do to help reach and meet the needs of all of the learners in your class. As we discussed earlier, auditory learners learn best by listening to others and communicating with … Continue reading →

Tips for Teachers: Managing Student Supplies

In my last Tips for Teachers article, I offered advice on using glue in a kindergarten classroom. In this article, I would like to address the management of student supplies in younger primary classrooms. Throughout most days, students will need crayons, scissors, glue, and a pencil. How the teacher distributes these items can vary from class to class. Some teachers allow the students to keep a box of the items in their desks. However, many primary classrooms are equipped with tables rather than desks. Therefore the challenge becomes even greater. Some teachers make or purchase seat sacks to go on … Continue reading →

Introducing Tips for Teachers

Experience is very valuable when you are a teacher. The college experience can never prepare you for the real classroom setting. No matter how much you have read or researched, there is nothing like trail and error to see which methods and techniques are best for you. During your first year of teaching you will find out that some things work and some do not. You will revisit and revise ideas. Some you will throw out completely and vow never to repeat. Others you will write down and carry out for years to come. Each year of teaching, you will … Continue reading →

Using Transitions

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In a previous parenting article by Kori Rodley Irons, she explained how transitions can be difficult for children. Moving from one place to another or one activity to another can leave way for tempter tantrums or chaos. Kori also suggested that parents be prepared for the transitions and cut-off trouble before it starts. The same is true with teaching students. There are many transitions to make within a school day. Younger students have shorter attention spans. Therefore they have more, shorter lessons within a day. Changing from activity to activity or lesson to lesson creates many transitions throughout the day. … Continue reading →

Teaching Your Auditory Learner

Does your child sit on the edge of his seat listening to stories? He likes tapes and listening to things in the car. He may be distracted by visual stimuli but concentrates on listening when you’re speaking to him. The child that is an auditory learner can follow verbal instructions easily–you don’t have to bother with writing it down! Auditory learners are frequently gifted musicians being able to “play by ear”. They are also very sensitive to your tone and pitch when you speak, easily sensing frustration or anger. Recognizing that your child learns best from auditory stimulation, is the … Continue reading →

Teaching Your Visual Learner

Do you have a child who thinks in images? They seem not to be able to follow instructions unless they can “see” what they’re supposed to do. They will frequently take information you give them and either write it down or draw pictures for it. They would likely give directions by drawing a map rather than writing it down. If this sounds familiar, you probably have a visual learner. Recognizing that your child learns best from information presented visually, is the easy part. What’s difficult is trying to figure out how to present things in a way that your child … Continue reading →