Word Wall

I've started my first word wall this year.

We discuss the definitions during instruction and in most cases I demonstrate and then we spend many minutes practicing what the word should look like. I have limited wall space because of the lunch tables but I like the area because students look at the wall whenever they are waiting in line for water. (which is not often :)

I'm toying with a project to change the word wall and make it cuter and more interesting. Stay tuned!

Blog Addict

I have recently found a new obsession...I love looking at teacher blogs! :)  All of these wonderful blogs I come across amaze me with the cool stuff that classroom teachers get to make and do in their space. Since I am a specials teacher, I can't utilize a lot of what I see the way it was intended, but I can't stop looking and thinking about how I can use what I see in the gym. It has inspired me so much that I am creating my own blog but for physical educators looking for innovative teaching ideas. I thought to myself that even though I'm only a third year teacher, I can still share what is going on in my own classroom. My favorite part of the year is when we go observe other teachers in their gym twice a year. We get to see all the creative things they have on their walls and floors and the way they run their classroom. I'm bringing that idea of community and learning from one another in the form of a blog just like all the wonderful blogs I follow. My favorite parts are the pictures of your classrooms! I love learning and I have learned so much looking at other blogs. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gifts. Happy blogging!

Squad Lines

I began using squad lines this year to quickly organize my class into teams, groups, and individual practice. I used white construction papers and premade stick em letters (A, B, C, D, and E) to make signs to post on the gym walls. Then I layed down blue floor tape in an X shape on the gym floor. The X's line up with the letter on the wall. I also added numbers on the adjacent wall above the lunch tables. If you're like me you share your space for lunch time! I used multicolors for the number posters so I could organize by colors also. Each blue X corresponds with a letter and number. I review this with my class when we use them. For example, I say, "Raise your hand if you are in squad A." or "Balance on one foot is you are in the green row." or "Jump up and down if you are in row number six." My kiddos have learned to look forward and side to find where they match up. This also helps with graph reading skills.