Pi R Scared

  As a teacher, I enjoyed having games in my classroom.  I found that playing a game with students often allowed them to open up and have a more real conversation about how they were doing.   As we know, forming bonds with students helps in their academic success.  Chess was probably the most popular game in my classroom for a while but recently I have found some new games and want to share them. Yes, several of these games are for younger students BUT if you are teaching middle school the students in your classroom now would have been virtual for about grades 3 - 5 and these games may help with some of those skills they missed or are struggling to understand.   The first game is called Shape Shift. Here's a brief video on it.

  As the 2024 year has started for some and will be starting tomorrow for others, I’m looking forward to the fresh start. January brings the opportunity for reminders but also for change.  This semester I’m looking forward to integrating group projects, games, and more interactives.  I’m looking to continue to use manipulatives in the classroom. Algebra tiles is one of most common mainpulatives that I use in Semester 2.  These tiles also happen to cause much frustration for students.  To help counter this frustration, I’ve been starting lessons with fruit or candy.  In using the fruit example we talk about apples and oranges which students can see are clearly different. Next, we talk about candy and dividing it out, distributing it, and students understand what is fair or equal.  These conversations help when you add in tiles and start talking about keeping equations balanced. As you start 2024, I hope you have a great rest of the school year. 

  As students returned from the Thanksgiving/Fall break the excitement came with them.  The break provided a chance to recharge.  I didn't give my students work over the break and told them I'd be offline too.  I told my students take a break and while some did work on missing assignments they didn't have to, it was their choice.  As the lessons began again this week, the students were excited, no longer seeming tired or worn out.   In just a few short weeks, students will have their winter break.  The time between this break and winter break is short and when you add in teacher work days, students only have 1 full week of school in December.   As school days seems to get longer and school years seems to increase in days, I think the placement of breaks is important.  Students and staff need time to recharge.  As school districts look at future calendars and decide on days, I hope they consider what happens after the short brea...

  Each year, I learn something new or a different way to approach a topic.  This year, the students in my class would have been virtual when fractions were introduced due to the pandemic.  This means that some of the foundations may be have been missed or the teacher couldn't do the hands on approach with these students.  One thing I'm doing to help with this is draw the circles.  I'm finding the visual part is needed to make the connection.  I'm also finding the need to work on multiplication facts and while we work on those, I'm emphasizing repeated addition.  Here's what I'm using to help.

Gimkit came out with a new mode almost a week ago and the students love it.  It's called Don't Look Down.  In this mode, students work to reach the 6 different summits.  Along the way they jump on various objects and test their skills.  This game can teach you about your risk takers and your cautious students.   If you want to add extra excitement, play with your students to see who gets higher.  This is currently the favorite mode for my classes and I'd recommend giving it a try if you haven't. 

      The connection we form with students can last beyond their year in our classroom.  Most of the things the students remember from class are connections we made and silly things we did.  A middle school teacher I used to work with made a lasting impact on their students.       Every Thursday, they would tell the students Happy Friday's Eve.  It was like a contest where the students tried to tell the teacher before this teacher could tell them.  My 8th graders each Thursday would finish their work and then ask to go see this teacher from 6th or 7th grade.  They would explain they have to tell this teacher Happy Friday's Eve before the teachers says it to them.  Every Thursday at least 15 students would finish work through out the day and then request to go see this teacher.  This is one small thing this teacher did to connect with students and it brought students back each year to see them.  This is a great wa...

Flexible seating in the Secondary classroom offers a myriad of benefits for both teachers and students. One option is the yoga ball, which not only encourages better posture but also provides students with the opportunity to engage their core muscles, helping them stay focused during lessons. Wobble stools are another fantastic choice, and the most popular in my class, as they allow students to subtly move while working, promoting active learning and preventing restlessness. Bouncy bands, which attach to the legs of traditional chairs, provide a discreet outlet for excess energy, ensuring that students remain attentive and engaged without causing disruptions to the class. Rocker chairs and podiums are also excellent additions to a flexible classroom. Rocker chairs allow students to shift their weight and find a comfortable position, which can boost concentration and reduce discomfort. Meanwhile, podiums enable students to present their work confidently and encourage standing, which can...