I am catching on to a key principle about teaching that is a little bit horrifying - we are hoarders! Teachers everywhere scour the internet, book stores, craft fairs, dollar stores, just about anywhere to find resources that they may be able to use some day, no matter what the grade or subject matter. Having spoken to a few concurrent education students, they have four years of practicum experience under their belts building their "tool kits", as they call them, with worksheets, materials, resources, videos, etc. Occasional teachers have it made; they get to teach and interact with different classes everyday, while being immersed in a new teaching philosophy to make copies and take notes on strategies and resources to build to their portfolio.
I need to admit that I am a rabidly well organized person; everything has it's place - if it doesn't have a place, then I don't keep it. I took comfort in this logic, until I started teaching! Now, I am constantly printing, filing, bookmarking, labelling and photocopying anything I can get my hands on to build my own toolkit!
There are three resources that I fell for instantly, all from sometimes tough to teach subject areas.
1. Who knew math could be fun!? I definitely did not, I assumed that I was forced into panicked confusion simply because it was required. I can almost guarantee a lot of students feel the way I do, and I am determined to break the cycle! Take your students to Manga High, an interactive math program that encourages friendly competition between your students, and students across the globe! Created in the UK, Manga High is "irresistible" to teachers for the following reasons:
- it is a comprehensive and powerful test preparation math teaching resource
- it is easy to use!
- IT IS FREE!
- it relies on teacher direction, and is designed for use in a classroom setting (not your regular video game)
- all the of the games involve different strands of math problem solving
- it is social; students compete with each other in a friendly manner, and interact with schools all over the world
- as a teacher, Manga High offers formative assessment opportunities, allowing educators to analyze student performance
- it is motivational!
2. I grew up watching Bill Nye the Science guy, but there's a new scientist on the block. Science Bob is a GREAT resource for motivational demonstrations, experiments, cool facts, and science fair ideas. He drives around in his big blue science ambulance and conducts experiments with students, teachers, even celebrities(!) and makes science fun, the way it was meant to be. Check out Hilary Duff experimenting with sugars and starches below!
3. It doesn't matter how old you are, or even if you can read, everyone loves getting mail. Especially your students! Introducing Flat Stanley, the two-dimensional paper man that has the education world buzzing. He may be small, but Flat Stanley carries a lot of firepower in both the language arts and geography classroom. The idea behind the project, launched in 1994 (in Ontario!), is to connect students with other children in classrooms all over the world by sending flat "visitors" through the mail. Students then track and write about their flat friend's adventures. Similar to a pen pal activity, but more enriching, the Flat Stanley Project helps students who simply don't know what to write about. The sender and recipient have a mutual friend, Stanley, and writing over time becomes more natural, something that teacher's have deemed an "authentic" literacy project.
There are loads of other great resources out there, and remember, sharing is caring.
Happy digging!
A
Hilary Duff Image. (2012). [Online Image]. Retrieved from:
http://www.sciencebob.com/about.php
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