Sub Smiles and Making Magnets

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Substitute Reward System

Kathy Snyder, a fifth grade teacher at Norwood Public School in Norwood, New Jersey:

"Subs need to establish a goal/reward system during their day or even one class period. I have used 'Toothy' with elementary classes. Draw a smiley face on the board with a big toothy smile. Though the face works best on a black board (because the teeth are black), it also works with white boards. Color in one tooth for good or helpful behavior. At the end of the class or the day, if the smile is white, leave a positive note or bring a reward of stickers, etc. 'Toothy' works in maintaining control while the teacher is away."
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2. Making Magnets

From Angela M. Galbreath, a fifth grade teacher at Union Gap School in Union Gap, Washington:

"Wish you had more magnets for attaching student work to your white board? I attach stickers to old refrigerator magnets and then cut them to size. These magnets work great for displaying student papers or announcements. I keep a supply of magnets in a small container near the white board, making them easily accessible for students who have work to display."
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3. Question of the Week: Memorial Day Ideas

From the Works4Me Worker Bees:

"On Memorial Day, Americans take time to remember those who have served in our Armed Forces. How do you help your students understand the true significance of the day?"
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4. Heard on the Message Board: Vocabulary Instruction

"How do you approach vocabulary instruction? Looking words up in a dictionary is tedious and frustrating; most of the time kids find a lengthy definition which does not fit the meaning needed and is itself incomprehensible. Some definitions even use another form of the word, so they don't make sense. What strategies do you use to teach vocabulary that is not just looking up words and memorizing useless definitions?"
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