Aside from all of the new and wonderful technologies in our classrooms, there are a few low-tech ones (actually they’re more accurately “no-tech”!) you might want to gather that can surely make an impact on your success. Just give these a try in your classroom. They might surprise you!

Easy Button – This little gadget—a big red button with the word “EASY” printed across the top that when pressed announces, “That was easy!”—has been a huge hit in classrooms. Purchased at Staples® for about $5, it provides motivation for students of all ages. I’ll have to admit that I was surprised at how hard students were willing to work for the privilege of pressing the button. When questions were answered correctly, when thought-provoking questions were asked by students, when a group finished their task, or when individuals or groups worked hard, the reward of pressing the button seemed validation and acknowledgement enough. You’ve gotta get one!

Pom-Poms (or Firecrackers!) - You won’t believe how easy it is to make your own colorful pom-poms for cheering and chanting the Word Wall words. (By the way, we’ve discovered that boys don’t necessarily embrace the idea of waving pom-poms. But, if you call them firecrackers, they’ll wave them feverishly!) You’ll need a paper bag (lunch size). (*See note below on bags.) All you’ll need is one or two bags per student, clear tape, and scissors. Keep the bag(s) flat and hold them by the end flap. With scissors, cut strips at intervals of ¼” to ½” from the open end to the edge of the bottom flap. The result will look somewhat like a hula skirt. Now, with the cut bag laid flat, tightly roll the solid bottom flap from one side to the other. This forms a handle for the pom-pom. Use tape to secure the handle so that it won’t unroll. The cut strips will form the pom-pom fringes. It’s pretty and fun!

(*Note on paper bags: A colorful bag is best, although the standard brown or white will serve the purpose. Two bags together will make a nice, full pom-pom, but, again, one will serve the purpose.

Magic Reading Sticks – To make these useful print trackers, individual pointers, and/or clue finders, just take craft sticks—one per student. Dip about an inch of the end of each stick into some white glue. Then, immediately dip the glued end into some glitter. Arrange the sticks to dry. Once dry, they become great tools for each student to use during reading or any time you want students to find something specific on a page.

Think how this can work with math facts, vocabulary words and definitions, answers to content area questions, rhyming words, etc. The possibilities are endless!

I hope that some of these tools will prove useful to you and your students this year. Have a wonderful school beginning! Take advantage of the clean slate and go for it!

Cheryl

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