Tuesday, August 25, 2015

More Great Back-to-School Resources for Secondary Teachers

http://musingsofahistorygal.blogspot.com/2015/08/back-to-school-hack-2.html

The Musings of a History Gal has put together a great blog post, "Back to School Hack 2," featuring her 10 hand-picked favorite free resources for secondary teachers. She has a great selection, so check it out! Click here. I was honored to have my team-building activity "Spaghetti Towers" chosen!


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Team-Building-Activity-Spaghetti-Towers-1333222


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Free Back-to-School Resources and Tips ELA Ebook

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Back-to-School-English-Language-Arts-Grades-7-12-Sampler-2020179

This ebook is jam-packed with tips and free resources from Teachers Pay Teachers teacher-authors. You can download it for free by clicking here.


Here's my page, which is just one of 45. Each page has a tip, a free download, and a featured product. Thanks to Tracee Orman for putting this together!

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Class Rules Activity

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Class-Rules-Activity-1910893

It's important to go over the class rules on the first day of class, but there's nothing that makes students check out quicker. After several class periods, it just sounds like so much blah, blah, blah.

Here's an activity that involves students in the process. Not only does it require their attention and participation, I find that students understand and follow the rules better since they feel at least partial ownership.

First, lay out the non-negotiable rules. The fewer, the better. Mine are: Be Respectful, Be Prepared, and Understand and Follow Class Policies.

Ask students to write down their expectation for the class, including for academics, the instructor, and classmates. Then put them in groups of 4 -5 to share and consolidate their ideas. Then have the groups share with the whole class. Decide, as a class, what the rules should be (of course you have veto power, but it's surprising how fair and thorough the students usually are).

You can then prepare a printed version of the rules and add other class policies.

Good luck, and happy first day!

If you want more detailed instructions, a poster, graphic organizers, a template for class policies, and a fun quiz regarding the rules, I have a prepared packet for purchase here:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Class-Rules-Activity-1910893