Odds and Ends

Below are some neat strategies I've seen used in classrooms throughout the years.

1.  "I need to talk to_______" 

What do you do if you have a particular student who often wants to talk to the principal or the counselor if they are having a difficult time, but they aren't available? Jackie Schumann, Kindergarten teacher at Whitson, put a picture of the principal, Becky Kramer, on a bulletin board in the corner of the room. When that student is escalating, Jackie suggests she tell Mrs. Kramer how she is feeling or what the problem is.

2.  "I need help NOW!"

What happens in your room when you are working with a small group and a student doing seat work needs help?  Try Mary Sands' (Randolph - 1st grade) idea.  She used empty toilet paper rolls and put red electrical tape around one end and black tape around the other end.  A student passes out these "teacher calls" for each student during seat work time.  When a student has a question, they turn the "teacher call" so the red end is up.  This sends a silent signal to the teacher.  The student then follows the expectations to continue working on something that they are able to do.  When the teacher finishes with her small group, she checks to see who needs help.  She turns the "teacher call" to the black side up after she has answered the student's questions.  You could do the same thing with playing cards.  Face up might signify needed help and face down would indicate no help required.

3.  Silent Signal

How do you get your class to be quiet without making more noise yourself?  Try this “attention getter”.  Without saying anything, write QUIET in large letters on the board.  Face the class and demonstrate your silent quiet signal (finger over lips, etc.).  If students continue to talk, erase the last "T" in the word.  Continue erasing letters if the talking continues.  If they are left with any letters at the end of the day/class period/etc., they are allowed 5 extra minutes of a preferred activity.

4. Pocket Smile

Do you have any tricks to help students who are in a bad mood?  When Trish Monk (Randolph - Title paraprofessional) has a grouchy student in her small reading group, she will ask if he/she would like one of her smiles that she has in her pocket.  If the answer is yes, she will reach into her pocket and pull out an imaginary smile.  This usually gets a positive reaction.