Clear and open communication plays a pivotal role in every classroom, but my students are at an age where they are beginning to learn how to clearly articulate and express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions with not only myself as their teacher, but with their peers.
We work together to create and maintain a welcoming, comfortable classroom community that centers itself around each and every individual being open about their thoughts, feelings, and opinions without feeling embarrassed or wrong.
It is generously rewarding to be able to listen to students reflect, connect, and discuss what we have read (such as "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis) in class with each other; especially as we continue our learning throughout the year. As much as I dislike saying goodbye to my students at the end of the year, I can look back and see all of the personal and academic growth of each student stemming from our first whole group discussion to our last.
My Project
Using manipulatives is often beneficial for students at any age, grade level, or learning level. Mathematics classrooms often use hands-on learning, or manipulatives, to enhance student learning. Especially in elementary school, students are accustomed to learning with these hands-on materials. As students go up in grade, fewer and fewer manipulatives are used in math education although they are beneficial at all grade levels. As students progress in school into middle and high school, less and less hands-on learning seems to be utilized and students are often expected to gain understanding solely on abstract principles. One of the topics taught in 6th grade is surface area. By using the folding geometric shapes, students will have a visual of the surfaces for a variety of shapes. The large, magnetic timer will provide a visual to keep us on schedule and help us make the most of our time together in the classroom.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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