Interruptions

It seems there are constant interruptions in a classroom some days.  I often wonder how the students can focus.  Last week, it was our bookfair.  I love the bookfair and so do the students.  They constantly wanted to attend the bookfair, but books is not what I saw many of the students buying, especially the younger students.  I think these different opportunities, such as the bookfair, are definitely great, but sometimes it seems that good old fashioned teaching and learning may need to happen a little more in the classroom.

Serious Science

I had to substitute for a seventh grade science class today.  The students were surprisingly serious about their science.  They were studying cell structure.  We studied the different parts of the cell including the endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, nucleus, etc...  The students payed attention and were very active in the classroom discussion.  I can only hope to get a good class like these students one day.

Team Meeting

Earlier this week I attended a team meeting with five teachers and the principal.  It was a good meeting.  Discussion included entrance to the math olympics, staff development, upcoming spelling bees, and other classroom concerns.  I thought the principal handled the meeting well and she made me feel welcome even though I only substitute.  All the teachers were open to suggestions about classroom issues and I thought the meeting was a good example of teamwork.

Science Review Bingo

Recently I was able to play a great game with my 4th grade students called Science Review Bingo.  The following are the rules:
1.  Write 35 questions on index cards.  My questions, in this case were for a fourth grade science class who was reviewing for an upcoming science test.  It is best ot make sure that the questions have answers that are only one or two words long so they can fit on the bingo card.
2.  Create bingo cards with 5x5 grids.  Do not forget to put a free space in the middle.  Write the answers to the questions on the cards, but make each card different.  The cards will not contain all the answers.  This will make copying very difficult, and it makes the game more interesting.
3.  Give each student a card and something to use as markers.  I used skittles as markers because the students usually will not drop things on the floor that they get to eat after the gamie is finished.
4.  Read the questions and give the students time to find the answer.  Not all students will have the answer on their cards.  It is similar to a regular bingo game in this way.
5.  Keep calling out the questions until someone calls out BINGO! Check the card to make sure all the answers are correct.  When the studetn was correct, I opted to give a small prize, which in this case I handed out pencils.
6.  If the student is incorrect, uncover the answer and continue playing until there is a winner.
7.  Play as many games as time allows.