Teacher Time Savers
© Irene Taylor
This is the time of year that teachers are looking for ways to maximize their time with their students - getting the most out of short attention spans and "visions of sugarplums" that often get in the way of learning during this busy time.
Here then are some old and new ways to keep your students learning during those precious yet stressful pre-holiday moments.
All I Want for Christmas
Here is a fun way for student to enjoy the excitement of planning for Christmas, and brush up on practice with alphabetical order.
Materials needed:
Old magazines, catalogs, toy store advertisements
construction paper in holiday colors
a stocking pattern
scissors
Provide students with old toy catalogs, magazines, and toy store advertisement fliers. Using these, have each student make a list of 20 items she would like for Christmas.
After each student has compiled a list, have her rewrite the items in alphabetical order on construction paper stockings. Display stockings for a festive look at alphabetical order wish lists. Decorate as desired.
Guess My Word Game
This game is a fun way for students to review vocabulary. To prepare for play, make vocabulary cards by writing words to be practiced on index cards. Explain to the class that the object of the game is for one teammate to try to guess the team's Secret Word after being given clues to the meaning by the rest of the team. The team that needs the fewest clues to guess its Secret Word is the winner.
To play: 1. Divide the class into teams. This game can be played with 2 or 3 large teams, or several smaller teams.
2. Send the first student from Team One into the hall. Have Team One choose a word from the prepared vocabulary cards, and agree on several clues as to the meaning.
3. Have the student in the hall return to the class. Tell teammates to take turns giving vocabulary clues without actually stating the definition of the selected word. Have students give clues until the word is guessed. The team receives one point for each clue needed to determine the word.
4. Continue to play, and keep score, with members of alternating teams having a turn to guess their team's Secret Word. When all words have been used, the team with the lowest score is the winner.
Online Projects
Are you looking for an Internet project for your class? SchoolWorld Internet Education Projects: http://www.schoolworld.asn.au/projects.h... has many free projects for your class to join.
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