But what is really panicking me, is that I have 6th grade (in an elementary school) and all my go to icebreaker stuff seems way too young for that age group. So, I'm looking for suggestions?
If you are concerned that your ice breakers are too "young" for 6th graders, I would say that they probably are not. I don't know what you have planned, but I'm going off of my experience.
I do: Name games (My name is Jeff and I like Jelly beans...), Brain Teasers (with cartoon images), Riddles and Puzzles, Other team-building activities related to math (the classic water jug problem, etc.). All of the activities can be completed by 4th graders. But, I don't teach 4th grade. I teach 11th and 12th grade. Students of any age really appreciate fun activities. What I have discovered over the years is that as long as you present the activity in an age-appropriate way, the content of the activity is easily adjusted to the age of the students.
I could have a paper-and-glue activity that is good for 12th grade students, and the same activity can be modified for 2nd grade students.
You can look here for more ideas: [link removed].
And as an aside, do what you can to prepare your classroom but don't panic. I do the basics (seating arrangements, some posters, supply areas, important information, etc.), but I let the students help me with the rest (usually student work makes great decorations!)
Good luck and remain calm.
- Jeff
On 8/01/12, MrsOstrich wrote: > School starts Monday. I was officially hired today, which > ate up most of the day in HR paperwork. My classroom is > bare as can be. I have maybe 4 hours tomorrow that I can > access the room (the rest of the day is meetings) to work > on it. Friday is corporation meetings all day, off-site. We > might get limited access over the weekend, but not sure... > > But what is really panicking me, is that I have 6th grade > (in an elementary school) and all my go to icebreaker stuff > seems way too young for that age group. So, I'm looking for > suggestions
I really can't believe the difference for the better!! Forever I've used Internet Explorer and thrilled to see such a difference!! Have you tried Firefox with Windows 7? If you haven't it's so easy to install and use.... Perhaps you've used it for a while or even for a long period of time. Would you care to state the browser you like to use?
On 9/03/12, Oh no no no wrote: > Please don't lead her to believe that things will magically settle > out. The only salvation she may have is if there is a very generous > teacher who is willing to guide her through the pitfalls and > shortcuts of the particular school and teaching, in general. It can > and will get worse especially with FCAT and other high-stakes > testing. Teaching for now is a no-win proposition. If you can > manage, you just need to wait it out until the pendulum swings back > toward sanity again.
On 8/10/12, BrandNewTeacher wrote: > Thanks for your reply Sara. Things got a bit better over the week > and I went to a professional development session where I learned > a lot too. I guess I will get there in the end...sometimes it is > just a little overwhelming. > > > On 8/06/12, Sara wrote: >> On 8/06/12, BrandNewTeacher wrote: >>> Here goes... I am on my tenth day of my new career. I am >>> sharing a class doing two days per week and one day per >>> week in another class. Both of them are 5-6 year olds. I >>> began feeling confident and have quickly lost that over the >>> last couple of days. Where do I start? I thought I had a >>> handle on literacy but they dont teach you exactly what to >>> teach and when to teach it at UNI. So, both my classes are >>> diverse, some students are brand new to school this term >>> and others have been at school one, two or three terms and >>> some others a year and a half!!!! How do I run activities >>> to suit everyone and how do I know which groups can do >>> what? Agh, feeling like I should go back to office work!!! >>> Any advice would be great :) >> >> It will settle out - the first few weeks/months are hard while >> it does settle out. Till then, you can read aloud every day - >> reading aloud is good for them (if you're a good aloud >> reader). >> You cannot run activities to suit everyone. When they >> say "This is too easy" or "this is too hard" say in response ' >> Sometimes things are too easy and some times things are too >> hard - there' s nothing wrong with that, keep to it and I'm >> sure it will be fine." >> >> Putting them in reading groups is good, having a classroom >> library is best. They should read to themselves everyday for >> 15 minutes in a book that's easy for them - instructional >> reading is different than that. Their independent reading is >> to bolster their fluency and speed.
by Harry & Rosemary Wong in August Teachers.Net Gazette
Aug 7, 2012
Twenty-two–year-old Kara Moore was hired as a 6th grade teacher to start the August 2011 school year. Excitedly, she ordered 200 "Miss Moore's Math Class" pencils. She spent a week getting her room ready for that all-important first day of school.
One week before school began, the principal called her into his office...
On 8/14/12, Confused w...See MoreHave you been hired and placed in a classroom for this year? If so, what grade level? You mentioned high school for your student teaching. Maybe go to the grade level specific chat room and get some help. I taught elementary and can help with that. Your first year is always scary and a tough one. Email if I can help.
On 8/14/12, Confused wrote: > I don't know if this is common among new teachers, but I > have very little confidence in my ability to actually > teach. I was excited during teacher preparation, but then I > got into student teaching high school seniors, and > everything just went south. I never successfully prepared a > strong lesson, and my cooperating teacher chided me for not > using common sense when dealing with low acheiving > students. The teacher education program, though, never > really taught me how to teach. I really only had my own > personal experiences as a student and my cooperating > teacher's worksheets to guide me. Yes, I was given an > overview of the basic method in lesson plan writing, but I > wasn't really shown how to apply those things. Learning > comes fairly easily to me, so breaking things down isn't > common sense, and I still have no idea how to reach kids > who seem like they aren't paying attention anyway. I also > have difficulty coming up with grade- level appropriate > activities.
DifferentiateTHIS!On 8/14/12, Confused wrote: > I don't know if this is common among new teachers, but I > have very little confidence in my ability to actually > teach. I was excited during teacher preparation, but then I > got into student teaching high school seniors, and > everything just went south. I never successfully prepared a > strong les...See MoreOn 8/14/12, Confused wrote: > I don't know if this is common among new teachers, but I > have very little confidence in my ability to actually > teach. I was excited during teacher preparation, but then I > got into student teaching high school seniors, and > everything just went south. I never successfully prepared a > strong lesson, and my cooperating teacher chided me for not > using common sense when dealing with low acheiving > students. The teacher education program, though, never > really taught me how to teach. I really only had my own > personal experiences as a student and my cooperating > teacher's worksheets to guide me. Yes, I was given an > overview of the basic method in lesson plan writing, but I > wasn't really shown how to apply those things. Learning > comes fairly easily to me, so breaking things down isn't > common sense, and I still have no idea how to reach kids > who seem like they aren't paying attention anyway. I also > have difficulty coming up with grade- level appropriate > activities.
I answered your other post and will copy and paste what I wrote as it relates the same to this:
Try Googling and you should get some better ideas. Don't lack confidence. Unless you're brain dead, the exact lesson you teach will not make a huge difference one way or the other. Here's what I honestly think: The 2 biggest factors in how well a child does are 1) The child's innate (natural-born) abilities and 2) How hard they try. This is why all these ever-changing educational fads (e.g the next greatest thing) are all nonsense. Therefore, do your best and your students will perform as they will. Sorry but this is reality. This should also put you at ease. Teaching is not rocket science, though the clowns who run things from up above have made it seem that way.
I know some of you have been patiently waiting 'till the countdown is over. I am happy to announce that after many sleepless nights, our website is now running.
I developed [link removed]).
I really hope that through this website, I could extend my collection of math resources, especially AP Statistics, to teachers who are looking for math presentations that they could use in their math instruction.
Let's start to "number bend" and make use of technology for a more exciting and creative math instruction.
Do any of you know of a company that sells simple lesson plans with activities to cover certain objectives? I thought Pearson might have something, maybe in their homeschooling section. I don't have a lot of confidence in my ability to write and execute an effective lesson. I try, but my lack of confidence shows during interviews, and it may be why I haven't gotten the job.
Try Googling and you should get some better ideas. Don't lack confidence. Unless you're brain dead, the exact lesson you teach will not make a huge difference one way or the other. Here's what I honestly think: The 2 biggest factors in how well a child does are 1) The child's innate (natural-born) abilities and 2) How hard they try. This is why all these ever-changing educational fads (e.g the next greatest thing) are all nonsense. Therefore, do your best and your students will perform as they will. Sorry but this is reality. This should also put you at ease. Teaching is not rocket science, though the clowns who run things from up above have made it seem that way.
If you are concerned that your ice breakers are too "young" for 6th graders, I would say that they probably are not. I don't know what you have planned, but I'm going off of my experience.
I do: Name games (My name is Jeff and I like Jelly beans...), Brain Teasers (with cartoon images), Riddle...See More