Back to School Already?!
The following activity is from Hot Chalk’s Lesson Plan Page. It is a great page with several useful lessons for that first day back and the days to follow. I recommend it!
Title – Talk Time!
By – Joan M. Diez
Subject – Language Arts, Other
Grade Level – Grades: 3-5
To get students to talk during the first few days is far from easy. At a later stage, the really difficult thing is to keep them quiet! 
Anyway, let’s begin at the beginning…
This teaching activity revolves around four major topics: a) The Home, b) School Life, c) Jobs and d) Spare Time. By answering a few simple questions and carrying out some easy tasks, students will get to know one another in a comfortable and co-operative environment. There is something for everyone and -hopefully- all of the students will have something to say.
Just ask your students to say a number between 1 and 40 and read the corresponding question. Do not ask for perfection right now. Building up everybody’s self-confidence is much more important -and will prove more useful in the long run- so make sure that everybody joins in the talking.
A) The Home
1) Design the ideal home. Tell your classmates about it.
2) Describe your bedroom. Your classmates should be able to produce a detailed plan of the place, according to your description.
3) You have won 25,000 dollars in the lottery. How would you
redecorate your living room?
4) In groups, design the house of the future. Show the results on a poster.
5) Draw a plan of your neighborhood, show where your house is and explain how you go to the following places: a) the baker’s, b) the supermarket and c) your favorite disco or pub.
6) Compose an advertisement to sell your house.
7) Give 3 reasons why you like/dislike your house.
Write a story about a house. Use between 120 and 150 words.
9) Would you rather rent a house or buy one? Discuss.
10) Write a list of the housework to be done in a house. Say who does each thing at your place.
B) School Life
11) In pairs, list the qualities of the perfect teacher.
12) Say what your favorite school subjects are. Give reasons.
13) Are you a “good” student? Explain why/why not.
14) Design a suitable timetable for your class. Show it to your
classmates.
15) Homework is necessary. Discuss.
16) Plan the activities for a special “Cultural Events Week” at your school.
17) Suggest an itinerary for an end-of-term trip.
18) Devise a short English exam. Try it and see what happens!
19) Tell your classmates a funny story/situation that has taken place in your school.
20) Imagine what a small child would write about his/her first day at school.
C) Jobs
21) Write a short paragraph about your present/past/future job. Read it out and aloud.
22) Tell your students 5 things you would do if you were not forced to work..
23) Write a list of 10 machines/devices that make people’swork
easier these days.
24) Tell your classmates about one job you would NOT like to do.
Explain your choice.
25) Would you work if you were a millionaire?
26) Think of 3 people you admire because of their jobs.
27) Would you like to be a policeman/policewoman? Why? Why not?
28) Many people have not got a job. Suggest some solutions to the problem.
29) Think of one job. Let your classmates ask you questions about it (i.e. “Do you work indoors?”, “Is your job interesting?” etc.) You
may only answer “Yes” or “No”. Can they guess the job you are
thinking about?
30) How many different jobs can you name in 1 minute?
D) Spare Time
31) Summarize the plot of a book you have enjoyed. Can your
classmates guess its title?
32) Tell the class about the worst TV program you have ever seen.
33) Are you sports-mad? Briefly describe the rules of your favorite sport.
34) If you could travel round the world, what countries would you visit?
35) Write a short paragraph about your favorite singer/band. Use about 70 words.
36) Tell your classmates about the (computer) game you like best.
37) Do you like reading comics? Which are your favorites? Why?
38) Think about your favorite radio program. Tell your neighbour, adding reasons why you think s/he should listen to it.
39) In groups, make a poster about your favorite singer/band.
40) Write the titles of the 4 best films you have ever seen.
September 3, 2007
40 Tips for an Exceptional, Healthy Life
Everyone needs to take proper care of themselves. When we do not, we begin to drag, becoming ineffective in what we do and what we say. At the end of the school year, when teachers have such a high stress rate, take the time to complete some of the following…
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day and while you walk, smile. It is the
ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have
to.
3. Buy a TiVo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My
purpose is to___________ today.”
5. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy, and the 3 F’s–
Faith, Family, Friends.
6. Watch more G movies play more games with friends and read more books than
you did in 2006.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily
fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are
manufactured in plants.
11. Drink some green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, seafood,
broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new
energy into your life.
14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of
the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest
your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn, pass all your
tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college
kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past, so it won’t mess up the present.
23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.
24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie (not
you guys.) Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will
this matter?”
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.
32. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
34. The best is yet to come.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. Do the right thing!
37. Call your family often.
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: “I am
thankful for __________.” “Today I accomplished _________.”
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly
don’t want a fast pass. Make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
1 comment June 25, 2007
Wisdom
Classroom Government
Fitting nicely with the Grade Six Social Studies Curriculum, students elect officials for our classroom for the year. Class President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, two News Reporters and Class Photographer. We study and follow the democratic process, campaigning, and voting for the class officials. The government holds biweekly meetings during social studies class to discuss and to make decisions regarding community service projects, celebrations, and issues that may arise (for example, what can be done about determining soccer teams at recess to make the game fair).
Monthly Newspaper
Each month, a newspaper is created (linking closely with the Alberta Language Arts Grade Six curriculum) that not only reports community service projects, but also the virtue of the month and their corresponding virtues with a student’s explanation of what the virtue means, what it looks and sounds like, and why it is important. The reporters generate stories regarding classroom celebrations, discussion regarding what is currently being learned in all subject areas, and a recommended book, and physical activity of the month. The stories can come from other students in the room, the teacher, as well as the news reporters. It goes home to parents, is delivered to the principal and other classrooms, and it is posted in the local post office, banks, and stores. The reporter for the local newspaper also receives it to add it into her weekly column. An electronic version is available to those that would rather receive the mail that way. The newspaper is posted on the classroom website.
Classroom Website
The website reports the newspaper each month, along with articles and suggested reading regarding character education for parents, students, and other teachers alike. Here is where the Classroom Photographer displays the class photos. All students, staff, and parents of students have access to the class pictures posted on the site displaying photos of classroom celebrations, learning projects, sports events, track meet, etc. It acts as an active yearbook and is password protected.
Love 2 Learn
Virtue of the Month
This is already existent in the school. presently, a teacher creates a poster explaining the virtue, which is posted throughout the school. Classroom teachers are expected to dedicate a few minutes each month to teaching understanding regarding the virtue.
This idea can be taken further. Students are encouraged to create the signage for the virtue, as well, students can perform skits portraying what the virtues look like ate celebration assembles. The virtue of the month is focused on further in the classroom, being included in the classroom newspaper and providing an excellent discussion and journaling topic when dealing with misbehavior.
The virtue is extended to the community by posting informational posters throughout the banks, store, post office, community center, etc. The monthly classroom newspaper includes the virtue as well.
Quote of the Day
Each day, a meaningful quote is written on the board for the students to see. Occasionally, the quote will be discussed, used for journal topics, etc., however, it need not always be. The quote is an extra learning tool, there to stimulate thought and evoke deeper thinking regarding character.
The quote is written on the board by the student with this classroom responsibility. The quotes are supplied by the teacher, or, can be presented to the teacher by the student and shared if approved.
Parent Education & Involvement
Parents/guardians participate in shared homework assignments, a parent book, and direct involvement in school activities through Lion’s Quest.
A spaghetti night is held each year to get elementary (and secondary?) parents in for the first parent education night. Hamburger and supplies are provided by the staff. After the meal, there are games and movies for the students, while parents take part in an informational session. The parent council is elected on this night. on the council, one member is dedicated to focusing on and reporting feedback regarding character education and the social and emotional learning environment of the school.
The informational sessions are held quarterly, with the presentation of the new, quarterly theme.
Formal Programs
Lion’s Quest is used. There are 102, 45 minute lessons arranged into eight sequential thematic units and a service learning unit. The teacher decides what units to teach each year, or if a particular crisis or event happens, the material is at hand. The lessons and activities from the program work well into the health curriculum and provide an additional link home to parents regarding problem solving, character, and living a good life. Lion’s Quest also provides a framework for creating parent meetings and ideas for involving the community.
2 comments June 19, 2007
