SmithScience

Students work in teams to gather carbon dioxide and water molecules (poker chips) to slide through a plant (put the pant leg(roots) and through the sleeves(leaves)). After they pass through the plant, they molecules are given to the sun (sun is necessary, right?) and the plant places the molecules on the GLUCOSE GAME CARD. Includes: Directions for the game GLUCOSE game card A reflection sheet *You supply the costumes for' the plants and sun' and the poker chips

In my National Board Certification process, I discovered the importance of getting to know my students. The first few weeks of school we spend valuable time connecting. I listen, take notes and genuinely work on getting to know my students. Some of these activities are ‘oldies’ that I re-formatted and some are some new ideas. I kept from including directions on the student sheets so that you could fit it to your needs. Sometimes I actively monitor and sometimes I participate like another

Create a booklet for your kids to reflect on the year and make goals for their future. There are 14 half page activities. Make copies on front to back to make a booklet. Pick and choose the activities that work best for your students. I plan on using these for a day when I have a sub. It is an easy copy to make and will keep the kids busy for quite awhile. As an extension, kids could share their thoughts with partners.

I am going to use this my first week of school. I will give students the option of using my clip art or draw their own. I will show the example infographic AND make one for myself. What a fun way to introduce yourself (to students OR parents) Build relationships and connections by creating an Infographic in your classroom. Students may cut and paste or draw their own graphics. Use a talk and share strategy for students to get to know each other and create positive classroom relationships.

BEGINNING of the YEAR Get to know your students by gathering insight from parents. Here are three forms for you to choose from. I tried to keep it to one page so parents were not overwhelmed. I started asking for parent insight a few years ago. I loved connecting with parents. I found that my teaching improved when I knew my students better. I hole-punch papers and keep them in a binder with my calling log. While I am dialing parents, I am able to read over the parent notes!

Here's a bingo game that I'll play with my students when we finally get back to school.