Bevin's Blog20 Teaching Tips: High-Energy StudentsI've always had a special place in my heart for high-energy students. I admire their enthusiasm and how they always seem to show up to class ready to bring it. Monday morning, rain or shine, while I'm waiting for my caffeine buzz to kick in from the Coke Zero I just guzzled, these guys come flying around the corner and bouncing down the hallway towards me with a toothy smile. I sometimes think, "I'll have what he's having."BevinDec 2
Bevin's Blog13 Tips for a Talkative ClassI LOVE my class this year. Diverse. Capable. Sweet. Unique. Enthusiastic. Energetic. Hard-working. Funny. Lovable. These are some of the words that come to mind when I think of my first graders. But one more word that also comes to mind is...chatty. Very chatty. We are a 'work in progress' with this. And thank goodness, we are continuing to improve each week. :-) Now, don't get me wrong, I believe a classroom should be FULL of rich, collaborative dialogue. Student discussion is vital, and our little guys need frequent opportunities to engage with peers and share their thoughts. I pride myself on having a dynamic, student-centered classroom that encourages this. To foster this kind of a climate, however, students also need to learn how to be effective listeners and independent workers. There are appropriate and inappropriate times for talking, and to get students to adhere to these boundaries, clear expectations must be set. Here are 12 ideas/strategies to try when working with a chatty class.BevinOct 26
Bevin's Blog10 Tips to Build Student Rapport"No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship..." ~Dr. James Comer These words are my mantra. Building a strong rapport with students is vital to maximizing academic growth. Here are some of the ways I do this with my fabulous first graders.BevinOct 2
