February 15, 2007

Below is our newsletter for the week. Remember, we are not the end-all, be-all! We are just teachers sharing our thoughts and ideas with you. Feel free to modify strategies you receive from us to fit you and your classroom.

Idea Share

Working in an RSP classroom, there were always a few students who could not memorize their times tables. These songs, created by a fellow teacher, were a great help. I found it helps to sing the song's original words first then use numbers.

Hope it helps,

Elizabeth

2’s The Flintstones:

2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20

3’s Clementine:

3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24, 27 and 30, 33, and 36

4’s Gilligan’s Island:

4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48

6’s Yankee Doodle:

6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, and 48, 54, and 60

7’s Addams Family:

7, 14, (snap, snap) 21, 28, (snap, snap) 35, 42, 49 (snap, snap) 56, (snap, snap) 63, (snap, snap) 70, 77, 84 (snap, snap)

8’s This Old Man:

8, 16, 24, 32, and 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96

9’s When the Saints Go Marching In:

(Oh! 9, 18,) (27, 36,) (45, 54, and 63,) (72, 81, and 90,) (99, and 1-0-8)

12’s Old MacDonald:

12, 24, 36, 48, and 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 1-32, 1-44

Weekly Tip: Preparing for a Substitute/ Guest Teacher

This time of year many of our schools are facing droves of empty student and teacher chairs due to flu season and other illnesses. For me this brings to mind the importance of being well-prepared for having a guest teacher, or substitute, enter the classroom. A substitute teacher and member of this list in the past has shared some of her thoughts on this very issue. I'd like to share them with you and then offer some practical strategies to prepare for a guest teacher.

"I am a substitute teacher. I enjoy it, but it can be a little difficult when a teacher does not have a well organized lesson plan for me. I find it easier and best when a teacher leaves a basic lesson plan, even if not for that particular day. One teacher did not even give information about the time slots when subjects were taught. I had to go to a peer teacher to get that information. Others do not leave extra work (fun things or busy work) to cover extra time in case we finish early. A substitute can take less time to cover the material or longer depending on the students. It easier to keep discipline if there are some extra activities to complete, for the ones who finish early.

As you can see, the best times for me as a guest teacher are when I substitute for a teacher who writes everything down and leaves 1-2 extra activities, such as reading a story & asking questions about the book, pairing off children to read a book, or other quiet activities.

The grade level you teach also makes a big difference. High School is easiest since most teachers leave a lot of activities for the students to complete. In Elementary School the substitute ends up doing more teaching.

Substitute teachers should experience all grade levels to appreciate what the teachers go through. Then, like me, they can settle for a group of grades they like the best. I find Middle School/Jr. Hi to be the most difficult and Elementary to be the easiest, especially K-2.

Additionally, I always leave the teacher a little gift, just a little bag of odds & ends like "a mint because you are worth a million bucks...", for the first time I sub. I think they really appreciate it. I also write a note of thanks and appreciation for the teachers who leave detailed lesson plans."

- Marie Sugalski

I find these words by Marie to offer us an excellent insight into what guest teachers face when they enter our classrooms. The kids are not familiar with them, and as such are more likely to act out during class. A detailed lesson plan with lots of extra activities/assignments in the substitute folder will go a long way to helping this teacher maintain control of the class. Keep in mind that a detailed lesson plan is one that not only outlines the topics to be taught, but also explains in detail how to approach the direct instruction, gives specific instructions on how to implement the practice, application, or enrichment activities that go with the instruction, and offers example questions to check for understanding throughout the lesson(s) to be taught by this person. While you have the prior knowledge about the concept or topic and know exactly how you would teach this, the guest teacher will only have the short time before school starts to get prepared for the lesson. The more you provide in terms of information, what to say, and how to implement the elements of your lesson, the more successful the guest teacher will be and the more your students will actually learn.

What are a few items you should include in your substitute folder besides a fully detailed lesson?

·         a daily schedule of class periods/subjects taught

·         a calendar that outlines days for library, computer, art, pe, music, or other special classes offered

·         a list of students who are pulled out for special education or ELL/ESL

·         a copy of your discipline system including instructions on how it works for you

·         names of grade level/team member teachers

·         name of counselor, librarian, computer tech, assistant principal, secretary and other key staff members

·         a copy of any emergency procedures for the school (weather, lock-downs, fire, etc.)

·         extra activity hand-outs

·         instructions for quiet and/or inside games and transition activities

·         a list of students in each class who are responsible and can be called on to help

·         a form for the substitute to leave notes, feedback and questions for you.

·         instructions of where to put assignments completed by students during your absence.

I know there is more you could include to specifically address the unique needs of your classroom. Whatever items you need to include, just be sure you leave enough detailed instructions so the classroom will run smoothly no matter who is substituting for you. Our ultimate goal here is to make sure our students have a smooth transition and are still learning even when we are unable to be there. It does happen, and it helps everyone to be prepared.

Do you have ideas for preparing for a guest teacher you’d like to share with us? Please respond to this email and we’ll post your thoughts in our Idea Share.

Ever had a metamorphic sandwich? After 40 years of experience in science classrooms, Frederick Briehl, M.S., Ed. shares a collection of motivating and challenging science projects, experiments, and activities for middle school students. Activities are identified in three categories: Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Each activity is written as a science lesson plan with a specified objective, purpose, problem, materials, procedure, observation, conclusion, and practical application. Perfect for introducing new topics and concluding units! Click HERE to learn more about this new ebook!

Thoughts for Reflection:

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 If you love these strategies and want more, check out all Survival Kit for New Teachers (Newly Updated) has to offer. Available in elementary and secondary editions.

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