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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

What would you do???

I've been working on a fair way to give all of my students a chance to answer questions in my classroom. At the moment I ahve two kinds of students. Type 1: Knows all the answers all the time & gets mad when they are not picked ALL the time. Type 2 doesn't know the answers most of the time and just sits back and waits for type 1 to shout it out when they get frustrated during my "wait time". So I decided to implement a tool I used to use when I taught Gen Ed 1st grade. The "Answer Jar", that's what we've been calling it in my room.
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It works great. Each student has a stick with their name on it. When I ask a question, I just pull a stick out & that student answers the question. If they can't answer their name goes back in the jar or they can ask another student for help. My students love it, so far. Type 1 knows they will get 1 turn to answer a questions & type 2 knows they will be asked and are more attentive.
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(BTW, I don't use the jar for all my questions, just predictable ones, that we go through everyday. An example would be, what month is it?, What day is it today? Yesterday? Tomorrow? etc...)

My only problem is that I currently have 4 groups I am using the "Answer Jar" with & I am having trouble storing all my popsicle sticks. At the moment I am keeping them rubber band together on my desk.
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 Which is really bugging me because I like to keep my desk clean & orderly.

My classes are 1 hour long and so I switch them out that frequently. I thought of a hanging Zip-lock bag staples to my wall, but I am not sure if that will be durable enough. I also want to keep them separated by class, so they are easy to grab & switch out. I am thinking I need something with at least 4 pockets.

So before I go to the store & spent some cash I wanted to know if you had any ideas on where or in what I could store all my little name sticks. Any ideas?

Ms. M

6 comments:

  1. I store my math group, which is different than my class. I started attaching jewels to the end for some "bling" to it when they are doing an outstanding job! "Bling" was their word on the back- they were so excited to get the jewels, when they fill it up, they can have the stick and I will make them a new one. We also put up "bling" on our new exciting words display.


    I would put small containers in a small caddy, they'd be neat but then you can pull out whatever container has the right kids :)
    Jennifer

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  2. I was thinking colored craft sticks...not too expensive. Zip pencil bag or small cups?? I have also used chips (equity chips with names on them).

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  3. I use the random name generator on the smartboard. I know other teachers who use lists and sticks. I, too, have a few impatient children who love to call out the answer. The others get so annoyed, though, or frustrated. When someone calls out and it is their turn, their shoulders slump and heads drop. I started saying, "If you know it, don't blow it" Now all the kids will say it when someone calls out.
    I have found that having an EEKK partner to turn and share has cut down on it.
    Cecelia
    http://ilove1stgrade.blogspot.com/

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  4. When I went to the Rick Morris's training, he had some wonderful ideas! One was class cards, writing kids names on a deck of cards or note cards so that they can fit in your hand. Then choose the next name in the pile. I think if you google it something more elaborate than my explanation will show up! He also now has a class cards app on itunes! I want it soo bad! Also, he talked about getting more than 1 answer to a question. For example, asking what month is it and then rather than stopping after one student answered correctly, accept the same answer (unless the kids don't know the right answer!) several times. I have started using that in my class and sooo many more kids are participating. It is pretty awesome :)

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  5. Okay, did you see this??

    http://missknightskhronicles.blogspot.com/2011/02/every-teacher-needs-apron.html

    perfect solution!

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  6. That is super cute! However, my problem was where to store the sticks from my other classes that I am not using. I think I found a solution. I should post about it soon. I hope. Although I like this ideas for other things. Thanks!

    Ms. M
    www.msk1ell.blogspot.com

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