Showing posts with label teaching ideas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching ideas. Show all posts
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Three Little Pigs
Lauren came home from school with the cutest project and it got my teacher juices flowing. I have never seen this done with the three little pigs. She did a great job with her house made of straw (yarn), he house made of sticks (spaghetti noodles) and her house made of bricks (torn construction paper). And she even wrote her name. It's perfect!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Salt Ceramic Dough
Elijah (and I) had to use this recipe to make a water cycle chamber. It is an interesting dough. The water cycle chamber is pretty awesome. It was a great project.
Mix together:
one cup table salt
one half cup cornstarch
three quarters of a cup of cold water
Heat this mixture on the stove.
(A double boiler works best, but a saucepan on low to medium heat is satisfactory.)
Stir constantly. In about two or three minutes it becomes so thick that it follows the spoon in the stirring process. It quickly reaches a consistency similar to bread dough. Spoon out the mixture onto foil or waxed paper. When it is cool enough to handle, knead the dough for several minutes, place it in a sealed plastic bag.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Teacher Gift
This year I struggled a bit to think of a teacher gift. After teaching I ended up with lots and LOTS of gifts that I didn't know what to do with and eventually threw or gave away. So I have two rules with my kids teachers.
1.) It must be disposable. And easily too without any guilt.
2.) If it isn't disposable than it must be a gift certificate. And something they can use. Not to a random place they will never go to.
So I was trying to think of what to get the kids teachers and thanks to my sister I found the perfect idea.
Gourmet Cupcakes.
More specifically, Cupcakes from here:
There is a store locally next to the Quilted Bear in Provo. They are more expensive than a Walmart cupcake, but eating these is an experience. A blissful, private experience....
I mean, just look at them:
I'm not saying I would sell my soul for one of these, but I may consider it.
My favorites are the Coconut and the Raspberry Lemonade.
The one with the cherry is Vanilla and the one with the strawberry is Strawberry Shortcake. Both equally tasty.
Wow, I may need to get another one.
Oh and they also have cake bites and other tasty things. But it's the cupcakes that are worthwhile. I actually eat the frosting. And trust me, that is saying a lot.
I hope I've made you want one, or at the very least will leave me alone while I eat mine.
1.) It must be disposable. And easily too without any guilt.
2.) If it isn't disposable than it must be a gift certificate. And something they can use. Not to a random place they will never go to.
So I was trying to think of what to get the kids teachers and thanks to my sister I found the perfect idea.
Gourmet Cupcakes.
More specifically, Cupcakes from here:
There is a store locally next to the Quilted Bear in Provo. They are more expensive than a Walmart cupcake, but eating these is an experience. A blissful, private experience....I mean, just look at them:
I'm not saying I would sell my soul for one of these, but I may consider it.My favorites are the Coconut and the Raspberry Lemonade.
The one with the cherry is Vanilla and the one with the strawberry is Strawberry Shortcake. Both equally tasty.
Wow, I may need to get another one.
Oh and they also have cake bites and other tasty things. But it's the cupcakes that are worthwhile. I actually eat the frosting. And trust me, that is saying a lot.
I hope I've made you want one, or at the very least will leave me alone while I eat mine.
Friday, May 8, 2009
24 Ways to Use a Bean Bag in Class
I got this at a Primary Meeting and I didn't want to lose it, so I'm keeping it here.
1.) Tape a number on the bottom of the bag. Everyone says a number. The one closest to the number gets to say the opening prayer. Repeat to see who is the helper and closing prayer.
2.) Using an example of the Word of Wisdom, have a review by tossing the bag to a child and they have to say something that is against the Word of Wisdom. When everyone has had a turn, start over having them say something that is healthy.
3.) Put pictures from recent lessons (in their page protectors!) on the floor. Children take turns tossing the bag on a picture. Then they have to tell what that picture is about.
4.) Time for a music break! Everyone stands up. Play the Primary music CD as children pass the beanbag. When the music stops, whoever is holding the beanbag sits down. Keep going until everyone is sitting.
5.) Ask a question. Then toss the beanbag to a child to answer the question. They answer the question and toss it back. Ask next question and toss bean bag to another child.
6.) Toss the beanbag to a child. Say something you like about that child. Then they can toss it to someone else and say something nice about them.
7.) Have each child say something they are thankful for when you toss them the beanbag.
8.) If there is time left over, just for fun see who can walk across the room with the bag on their head, hand, or hop balancing it on their knees.
9.) Hide the beanbag in the hall somewhere between Primary and your class. (Maybe Label your beanbag.) Tell the children as they leave Sharing Time to walk slowly and reverently to class and keep their eyes open for the beanbag. Remind them not to pick it up, only to spot it, then they can sit down in class and wait until all children spotted the bag.
10.) Hide the beanbag in the classroom. The first person to spot it and raise their hand gets a special assignment like choosing a child to give the prayer or putting the chairs aways or returning things to the library. Don't let them race to grab it.
11.) "Today we are learning about..." toss the bag to a child, they can share one thought from the lesson or activity, then they toss it to the next and so on.
12.) Safety pin questions all over the beanbag. Toss it to a child. They get to pick a question and give an answer. Then toss it to another person to pick another question to answer.
13.) Stand or sit in a circle. Choose a category. One person starts the beanbag moving by naming one thing in that category then passing the bag to the next person. You could either do outs or just have time limits. Suggestions include: Books of the Book of Mormon, Latter Day prophets, names of children in our Primary, etc.
14.) Tell the children that only the person holding the beanbag may talk. "Right now I am giving the lesson so I am the one holding the bag. If you have something to share or know the answer to a question, raise you hand and when I toss you the bean bag you may talk."
15.) For Singing Time have pianist play a song that you need to review, everyone sings the song as they pass the beanbag. When the music stops the person holding the bag sits down. You could do this with a tape recorder (from the library) and a tape of Primary songs in the classroom.*
* I didn't chance this, but clearly, most people would now use a CD or MP3 player, nowa days.
16.) When the kids walk in hand one of them the bean bag. Let them choose a reverent or quiet person in class to hold the bag for 5 minutes or until you ask that child to choose another person that is being reverent or quiet to hold the bag.
17.) Let kids toss beanbags into a yes bucket or no bucket, depending on the answer to your question.
18.) Start a sentence then toss the beanbag to a child to finish the sentence.
19.) Hide the bag. Choose one child to be 'it'. They leave the room while someone hides the beanbag. Have the kids sing a Primary song louder or softer as 'it' gets closer or farther from the bag.
20.) Write questions on big squares of paper that corresponds to the lesson or activity. Place them on the floor. Have kids stand back and toss the bag. They get to answer the question that their bag lands on. Or just for fun have points on the papers and keep score.
21.) Tell a progressive story about good choices. The child holding the beanbag gets to advance the story as far as they want to before they pass it to have the story continued.
22.) Do a spotlight on a child at intervals through the year. Put a child in front of the class. Whoever is holding the beanbag gets to ask the spotlighted child a question.
23.) Do a speed pass, like hot potato. For example, play music as the children name things they can do to gain a testimony. Whoever is holding the beanbag when the music stops has to do that thing they named for the entire week.
24.) Have the children hide the beanbag from you. (In the room, not on themselves). If you can find it, they have to listen quietly to your lesson.
1.) Tape a number on the bottom of the bag. Everyone says a number. The one closest to the number gets to say the opening prayer. Repeat to see who is the helper and closing prayer.
2.) Using an example of the Word of Wisdom, have a review by tossing the bag to a child and they have to say something that is against the Word of Wisdom. When everyone has had a turn, start over having them say something that is healthy.
3.) Put pictures from recent lessons (in their page protectors!) on the floor. Children take turns tossing the bag on a picture. Then they have to tell what that picture is about.
4.) Time for a music break! Everyone stands up. Play the Primary music CD as children pass the beanbag. When the music stops, whoever is holding the beanbag sits down. Keep going until everyone is sitting.
5.) Ask a question. Then toss the beanbag to a child to answer the question. They answer the question and toss it back. Ask next question and toss bean bag to another child.
6.) Toss the beanbag to a child. Say something you like about that child. Then they can toss it to someone else and say something nice about them.
7.) Have each child say something they are thankful for when you toss them the beanbag.
8.) If there is time left over, just for fun see who can walk across the room with the bag on their head, hand, or hop balancing it on their knees.
9.) Hide the beanbag in the hall somewhere between Primary and your class. (Maybe Label your beanbag.) Tell the children as they leave Sharing Time to walk slowly and reverently to class and keep their eyes open for the beanbag. Remind them not to pick it up, only to spot it, then they can sit down in class and wait until all children spotted the bag.
10.) Hide the beanbag in the classroom. The first person to spot it and raise their hand gets a special assignment like choosing a child to give the prayer or putting the chairs aways or returning things to the library. Don't let them race to grab it.
11.) "Today we are learning about..." toss the bag to a child, they can share one thought from the lesson or activity, then they toss it to the next and so on.
12.) Safety pin questions all over the beanbag. Toss it to a child. They get to pick a question and give an answer. Then toss it to another person to pick another question to answer.
13.) Stand or sit in a circle. Choose a category. One person starts the beanbag moving by naming one thing in that category then passing the bag to the next person. You could either do outs or just have time limits. Suggestions include: Books of the Book of Mormon, Latter Day prophets, names of children in our Primary, etc.
14.) Tell the children that only the person holding the beanbag may talk. "Right now I am giving the lesson so I am the one holding the bag. If you have something to share or know the answer to a question, raise you hand and when I toss you the bean bag you may talk."
15.) For Singing Time have pianist play a song that you need to review, everyone sings the song as they pass the beanbag. When the music stops the person holding the bag sits down. You could do this with a tape recorder (from the library) and a tape of Primary songs in the classroom.*
* I didn't chance this, but clearly, most people would now use a CD or MP3 player, nowa days.
16.) When the kids walk in hand one of them the bean bag. Let them choose a reverent or quiet person in class to hold the bag for 5 minutes or until you ask that child to choose another person that is being reverent or quiet to hold the bag.
17.) Let kids toss beanbags into a yes bucket or no bucket, depending on the answer to your question.
18.) Start a sentence then toss the beanbag to a child to finish the sentence.
19.) Hide the bag. Choose one child to be 'it'. They leave the room while someone hides the beanbag. Have the kids sing a Primary song louder or softer as 'it' gets closer or farther from the bag.
20.) Write questions on big squares of paper that corresponds to the lesson or activity. Place them on the floor. Have kids stand back and toss the bag. They get to answer the question that their bag lands on. Or just for fun have points on the papers and keep score.
21.) Tell a progressive story about good choices. The child holding the beanbag gets to advance the story as far as they want to before they pass it to have the story continued.
22.) Do a spotlight on a child at intervals through the year. Put a child in front of the class. Whoever is holding the beanbag gets to ask the spotlighted child a question.
23.) Do a speed pass, like hot potato. For example, play music as the children name things they can do to gain a testimony. Whoever is holding the beanbag when the music stops has to do that thing they named for the entire week.
24.) Have the children hide the beanbag from you. (In the room, not on themselves). If you can find it, they have to listen quietly to your lesson.
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