Apr
02

A Dozen Ways to Build a Caring Classroom Community

Filed Under (Differentiated Instruction) by sfitzell on 02-04-2009

One of my “12 Ways Series” articles was just published at Teachers.Net Gazette:

Susan Fitzell: A Dozen Ways to Build a Caring Classroom Community …
Apr 1, 2009 … Susan Fitzell is a nationally recognized speaker and author of several educational resource books. She has over two decades of experience …

Oct
13

Redirect Students without Provoking Power Struggles

Filed Under (Caring Community, Co-Teaching, Differentiated Instruction, Parent Tips, Response To Intervention) by sfitzell on 13-10-2008

Manage behavior and praise without the power struggle

Behavior Management Cue Card Approach!

Here’s a way to quietly cue students to choose positive behavior. Use a cue card! 

Behavior management cue card instructions:

     1.     Print out this card or your own version of the card.

2.     Choose your method:

a.     Tape a card on the upper right corner of each student desk.

  i.      Laminate the card Read the rest of this entry »

May
24

Teacher tips from my audiences!

Filed Under (Differentiated Instruction) by sfitzell on 24-05-2008


To help learn and remember the characters from “Romeo and Juliet,” Carla Byars has students choose a character and bring in a personal theme song for each with printed lyrics. 

Debbie Swanson addresses foot tapping by placing carpet squares under their feet. “They love it and can stomp as loudly as they want.”

Sarah Endecott uses a wind chime to signal students to stop what they are doing and listen to what she needs to tell them. It’s an excellent time management tool! 

You can flash card games to help your students learn. Students write words on one side of the card and the definition on the other. These cards can then be used to play a variety of games.



A. Matching Game: Two students each have a set of word-definition cards. One student’s cards are word up, the other’s are definition up. They then match the words with the definitions, taking the cards away when paired.

B. Play Pictionary with the words showing.
C. Play Pictionary with definitions showing.  

 

 

 

Apr
17

What do I Do When Students Constantly Interrupt with Personal Stories?

Filed Under (Differentiated Instruction) by sfitzell on 17-04-2008

Ruby Hibdon shares her solution: “I have students write their ’story’ on a note-card and put it in my ‘mail box’. Then I pull their cards out during the day and quickly respond to their note. It’s short, quick and easy to attend to and students feel validated.

cool tip! Thanks Ruby!