I'm linking up with Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits for this fun linky. Here's how it goes:
Product - My favorite product is my Beanie Baby Decoding Posters. I think they're super cute and they really do their job. Just tonight, during a conference, I heard one of my little boys, as he pointed at the posters, tell his dad, "See? That's what I can do when I get to a word I can't read. Get my lips ready....chunk the word...."
Area - A favorite area of my classroom is my Math Focus Wall. This was really the first time I created a space that is so effectively instructional. I use the activities on the wall daily to help build some of those foundational skills: time, money, hundreds chart, function machine, fact families. I've found that almost all of my kiddos have mastered many of the skills just from this daily exposure. They can read an analog clock like nobody's business! I've adjusted and dropped the skills they've mastered from the daily routine.
Signal - I use a variety of signals. The one I use most is Class! Yes! from Whole Brain Teaching. Basically, I say "Class!" and they respond, "Yes!". The key is they have to say Yes in the same way I say Class. So, if I say Class in a high voice, they say Yes in a high voice. If I say "Classity Class", they say "Yessity Yes". You can read more about it at Whole Brain Teaching.
Sanity - How do I stay sane at work? Hmmm. . . . . . . .
I suppose I should think of someway to stay sane. . . . . but what fun would that be? LOL
I suppose if I HAD to find something that keeps my sane it would be
Big ol' glasses of iced tea and
my 20 minute lunch! Woooo! Who would ever guess how much you can get done in 20 minutes? (Other than teachers, of course). Heat up lunch, eat said lunch, check emails, check texts from family, run to the copier, stop off at the restroom, and do a little organizing in the classroom. But if it wasn't for those 20 minutes. . . . . . .
My 800 Follower Celebration giveaway ends tomorrow! Make sure you get your entries in!
