WAY TO BE
Canastota, N.Y., high school teacher Michaela Mcquown hangs up numerous posters defining
"way to be" behaviors in her classroom. Students are randomly rewarded with
tickets that say, "You were caught being great." On the ticket, students write
their name, date and behavior (e.g., patient, diligent). One ticket is drawn weekly. The
winner receives the choice of a dollar or a wrapped surprise (school supplies, candy or
sometimes a booby prize). "The kids love it," she says.
QUIET MATH
When students use manipulatives to learn place value, the classroom can get noisy. So
second-grade teacher Ellen Stoneman of Phoenix, Ariz., makes mats out of felt and paints
lines and sections on the mats for ones, tens and hundreds. This creates a padded surface
for the manipulatives and reduces noise. She also gives students an additional square of
felt, labeled the "bank," to keep extra cubes separate from ones that are being
used until the extras are needed.
TIP SAVER
Before you toss out your dried-out felt-tip markers, says second-grade teacher Sonia
Steiner of Philadelphia, dip the tip into acetone-based nail polish remover. Replace the
cap top tightly and set aside for several hours. Try the marker again--it will be as good
as new.
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