When students spend time doing a project either alone or with a group, often one important element of their learning is left out. That element is reflection. Reflecting on what has been done is a major part of learning. Here is a reflection sheet designed to not only help the student remember what he or … Continue reading After-Work Reflection in the Classroom
As children grow older, we often assume that small rewards won’t suffice, especially during the middle school years. Contrary to that belief, however, middle school-aged kids still love being rewarded for their ability to behave and stay on task—although the type of rewards change just a bit. What follows is a list of some incentives … Continue reading Incentives for Good Behavior and Staying On Task for Middle School Students
See previous post for description of what sponge activities are and how they can be used to enhance learning in the classroom. Choose a category such as food, movies, or places, and challenge students to think of one for each letter of the alphabet. Select a category such as famous people. Have one student say … Continue reading More Sponge Activities for the Classroom
A sponge activity is something that teachers give students to work on as they come in the room or to keep the students busy while the teacher takes care of necessary business, like taking attendance, getting the lunch count, or collecting notes and homework. Sponge activities are also useful during transition periods while the teacher … Continue reading Sponge Activities