Building a Classroom Culture of Collaboration and Problem Solving
We all strive to create a classroom culture where learners can easily work together towards a common goal and utilize higher level thinking skills like complex reasoning, critical thinking, problem solving, abstract reasoning, and creative thinking. Finding ways and resources to create this culture can be challenging. Not to mention finding time to incorporate this into your already packed schedule.
Check out these helpful tips for building a classroom culture of collaboration and problem solving!
GetEpic! and Grow your Classroom Digital Library!
Books are a great conversation starter when it comes to growth mindset and developing a classroom culture of empathy and compassion.
GetEpic! is the perfect [FREE] resource for you that are filled with these types of books and so many more! Teachers and Learners can instantly get access to over 25,000 e-books, audiobooks, learning videos, quizzes and more for K-5! Signing up for an educator account is easy and learners can access GetEpic! simply by using your classroom code! Want to learn more or have me come set up your class with you!? Just say when! I'm happy to help!
Here's 10 Creative Ways to use Epic in your classroom:
1. Use Epic! for the "Listening" portion of Daily 5 using Read-to-Me and Audiobooks!
2. Project Epic! on your interactive whiteboard to teach a specific skill or strategy.
3. Use non-fiction books for research projects, such as reports on animals.
4. Students create a "wish list" of books and then partner up to explain that list.
5. Epic! is perfect for Read Aloud, Shared Reading and Independent Reading Time.
6. Students create book reviews and recommend favorites to classmates.
7. Expose students to different expressions and intonations using Read-to-Me books!
8. Perform experiments using ideas in Epic!'s STEM books.
9. Create book commercials using multimedia tools such as iMovie, Telestory or ChatterPix.
10. Compare two books by the same author!
The 2x10 strategy...a miraculous solution for behavior issues?
I know everyone has established some solid relationships with learners in your class...our teachers are truly the best! I’m sure we can all think of a child who has been more difficult to connect with or may require some extra TLC. Relationship building with them can be difficult...enter the 2x10 strategy! I know I shared this a couple years ago, but I’m bringing it back!
At times, relationship building takes a backseat as the year progresses because we are BUSY! I often think back to a quote that Dr. Charles Fay said in a Love & Logic conference I attended:
“There will never, ever be enough rewards or consequences unless we are first developing relationships.”
For some of our more challenging situations, this is especially true. Persevering to build relationships will always pay off. Click the link to read more about the 2x10. I would love to visit with you regarding any learner you may be working to build a relationship with!
Check out these tips (and this SERIOUSLY ADDICTIVE Tech Tool) to teach Academic Vocabulary
Steps for Explicit Instruction of Academic Vocabulary
Say the word
Provide definitions (with familiar terms)
Discuss what is known about the word
Provide examples ( and non-examples)
Engage in extended discussions/activities with the word
Create sentences with the word
Autodraw
(seriously addictive)
Free web-based site that uses Google's artificial intelligence to turn doodles into clipart. Great for graphic organizers, flash cards, illustrating vocabulary words, creating sentences, so many possibilities for learners of all ages.
Pandora for the Classroom?!
Looking for ways to Teach Academic Vocabulary with your learners? Check out Sentence Frames!
Students often struggle finding just the right words to explain, describe, and clarify what they are thinking. One way to help students, and further engage English language learners in class discussions, is to provide sentence frames.
This tool is organized with links to sentence frames in supporting the progression from simple to complex language skills based on language tense
A Language Development Process for Beginning and Intermediate English Language Learners
ClassroomScreen.com to establish a climate that encourages self-regulated learners!
The beginning of the year is the best time to establish expectations and procedures in your classroom. Classroom Screen is a dynamic landing page that allows educators to design a “one stop shop” - establishing a climate that encourage learners to self-regulate and accomplish goals.
You can customize the screen with different widgets including a QR code maker, whiteboard, timer, a random name generator, and more. Consider using the draw tool to create different expectations for groups on the same page.
I am excited to hear about how this tool supports you and your learners!