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April 2003--Try It

 

KEEP THE CARDS Jacksonville, Fla., teacher Linda Turner is often invited to reunions of the classes that she has taught. Former students happily give her one of their business cards, and she uses the cards for a bulletin board of "Famous Former Students" in her classroom. In columns across the top, she displays years, beginning with the early 1960s, and under each year are the cards from those graduates. The bulletin board is a hit with students and parents alike.

VOCAB FOLLIES Sharon Schwartz of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., generates interest and amusement with her "vocabulary hall of fame" poster. She lists "creative" definitions that students, past and present, have provided on vocabulary tests when they didn't know the answers. Examples: innate--Nathan's guts; couched--a furniture from Crate and Barrel; scrutiny--a small screw. The kids love it and compete to secure a place on the list, she notes.

RECYCLED BOARDS Second-grade teacher Sharon Brannan of Holly Hill, Fla., recycles used science fair boards by covering them with Contac paper. She then tapes laminated bulletin board items on any topic to the board. The boards fold flat for easy storage and they save time when she teaches certain repeat topics (e.g., manatees, black history, dental health). The boards stand easily on the floor or counter, so they are easy to see.


Submissions for "Try It" should be sent in care of American Teacher. (Sorry, we cannot acknowledge or return submissions.) We'll pay $40 for each idea that is used.

 

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