Caddo Fed After Hours

Teacher Tip

As I started to notice my students feeling overwhelmed or overburdened when given a new set of weekly vocabulary words, we made a slight adjustment to how the words were distributed.  Instead of having a list of 20+ words given to my class and routine exercises, we use what I call a ”four accomplishments a day” method. 

Four new words are introduced daily and the student can write or type the correct spelling of the word, what they think it means, the actual definition, and state what it means in their own words after learning the true definition.  This is done to encourage higher level thinking skills within the classroom. 

Enjoy,

Billy Cloutet

 Donnie Bickham Middle School- Special Programs

Teacher Tip Template 

                                                          Tuesday Teacher Tip

I also use a reward system for the entire class in order to encourage staying on task; class participation and cleaning up properly at the end of class. 

Each class has a palette on the bulletin board with 6 blank spaces.  I make color splats for the palette with construction paper and attach them with Velcro.  When the palette is full, the Artist of the Week gets to spin the prize wheel for the entire class.  My prizes are bonus points, “free art” day, ice cream party and “sit anywhere” day.

When we have been having trouble cleaning up properly or staying on task, I will explain why the class is not earning a color that day and ask them if they think they can earn a color tomorrow. 

This idea can be adjusted for any subject.  It is the best classroom management tool I have and I love it!!

Erin Wilson

Caddo Middle Magnet

6th - 8th Grade Art

Tuesday Teacher Tip

I teach 4th grade special education at Oil City Elementary School. 

I use a card system in my room.  If a student follows all of the class rules their card remains green.  If your card remains green, you receive a Tiger Ticket at the end of the day (because we are the Tigers).  The ticket has a picture of a tiger on it.  The Tiger Ticket is used to purchase items in the Tiger Store at the end of every Friday.  Items in the store range from 1 ticket to 80 tickets!  I save toys from Happy Meals, stickers, candy, and anything I find that’s inexpensive.  The students are responsible for their tickets and have to decide if they will spend their tickets or save them for something big.  This integrates economics in a fun way.  The students love it so far, and it promotes consistent, good behavior. 

Emily Gulett

4th grade

Oil City Elementary 

Tuesday Teacher Tip

To reward positive behavior, I implement a game we play every two weeks.  It is called “TICKET TIME”.  The students ABSOLUTELY love it!  After two week, if no student has been written up for ANY infraction, dress code, tardy, etc.) then the student gets to participate in TICKE TIME.  I use a double roll of tickets.  I place the tickets in two jars; the students draw from one jar and I draw the matching ticket from the other jar.  If I draw the ticket a student has, then he/she can come and pick a prize from a buffet of prizes!!  I usually have three to five gifts ranging from …bonus points, homework pass, STAR Points (SWBS), candy, food, flash drives, restaurant gift certificates, etc.  It is a very inexpensive way to reward positive behavior.  Restaurants within the community are great participants when told the reason for the game.  Also, flash drives can be bought at Wal-Mart for $5.00.  We do it on Friday at the end of the hour and they cannot wait.  It really helps motivate those who have been written up to behave for the next drawing, especially when money is the prize. 

Yes, even high school students can be motivated!!!

I teach Pre-K at Hillsdale Elementary.  One of the skills we teach in Pre-K are position words.  These words are: next to, in, over, on, through, under, etc.  I use wooden napkin rings found at a garage sale, and small figures.

Each child gets a wooden ring and a small figure.  As I tell the students what to do with the figure, they show what the position word means by demonstrating the word using the ring and the figure.  This is a hands-on activity and enjoyed by all the students.  (This skill is best taught in a small group of 10). 

Becky Gardner
Hillsdale Elementary

Tuesday Teacher Tip

Tuesday Teacher Tip #1

Since I had several problems with cell phones before, I now have a cell phone box.

I stand with it outside of my classroom as students come in. I told them the new policy and that there is no consequence for giving up the phone before class starts and they will get them back at the end of class. When the bell rings, I place the box at the front of the room so that everyone can see that no one is stealing their phones. This is what we did for the GEE testing last year.  I do this mainly for the students who have a problem with constantly checking their phones.

I told them my new policy in a positive manner, and when I explained it to each class, I also put my own phone in the box.  I think that helped them to be more willing to do it. My students don’t have any problem giving them up because there is no consequence and they know that they will get them back.

LESLIE DESPINO

NORTH CADDO HIGH

Tuesday Teacher Tip #2

As a 5th grade science teacher, I occasionally get some really challenging questions.  If I don’t recall the answer or it’s one of those questions we simply don’t know…. I assign a student to visit www.askjeeveskids.com.

It’s an approved website, and I leave my corner computer logged onto that site so a child can locate the response almost immediately to share with the class.  The students love it.  Lately, they’ve been coming up with tough science questions in order to explore….

Charlotte Hinson 

Eden Gardens Magnet School

Golden Lines

The BEST writing motivator I’ve ever used is called the “Golden Verse” wall.  I assign the journal topic, the students write and do a basic editing overview.  I collect the journals and highlight what I feel are “Golden Lines”…those really amazing statements a student writes.  For example, one journal topic was  “What does being an American mean to you?”  One student wrote, “Being an American means taking the pledge seriously.  It also means being grateful that we live in a country with so many freedoms and not taking that for granted.  I feel like a patriot because I want to serve in the Armed Forces and become a soldier who defends others.” (This was from my FIFTH grader!)  Obviously, this was worth of a “Golden Line” status.  I then write on a notecard their Golden Line that I highlighted.  I post it on a bulletin board with gold paper.  Every Monday, they anticipate which students received a Golden Line for the week and cannot WAIT to write.  It is incredibly effective and exciting too!

Charlotte Hinson

Eden Gardens Magnet School

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Submit all Teacher Tips to Sue Britnell at the CFT Office 424-4579 or email cftsp@cftsp.com or sbritnell@cftsp.com

If we use your Teacher Tip online we will pay you $25!!!

To see all the Tuesday Teacher Tips go to:  www.ungagoureducators.org

As a motivational tool and positive reinforcement, both with the students and parents, I give out “Eagle Notes” to my students.

Eagle Note (or whatever your school’s mascot is) is a half piece of paper recognizing what the student has done that is praise worthy on that particular day.  The students LOVE to get these for many reasons: (1) immediate praise and recognition, (2) they take them home and receive more praise from family, and (3) collection of FIVE notes equals TEN bonus points on classwork, a quiz or test OR is a homework pass.  Trust me, they are highly sought after and desired!

Parents are also a big fan of the Eagle Notes because it is positive communication, not just negative, from the school  They enjoy the refreshing break!  Below is an example for you to use; feel free to adjust to your needs and add your mascot.

I hope this is beneficial and works for you like it does in my classroom!

Julie Davis

ELA 7th grade

Keithville Elem/Middle School

      EXCEPTIONAL (enter mascot name)

              (picture of mascot)

Date ______

Your child, ______________, was Eagle Eyed being exceptional!!

__ Listening well  

__Class participation

__ Following instructions

__ Class discussion

__ Working immediately

__ Respecting others

__ Having materials

__ Showing initiative

I appreciate it!!  Collect five Exception Eagle notes and turn them in for ten bonus points on a test or classwork or as a homework pass.  Well done!!

_________________________________________________________________

Submit all Teacher Tips to Sue Britnell at the CFT Office 424-4579 or email cftsp@cftsp.com or sbritnell@cftsp.com

If we use your Teacher Tip online we will pay you $25!!!

To see all the Tuesday Teacher Tips go to:  www.ungagoureducators.org