Moving

We have moved to www.justsometeachingideas.com Our site is currently under construction but is being updated daily.

Teaching Idea - Loop Cards

Loop Cards, sometimes called Follow Me Cards are used as a warm up maths game in my classroom. Each student is given one or more cards depending on the size of the pack. One card says start and the student with that card reads out the question.

In this case the question is 'who has 8x6?'One student will have a card that says I am 48, they answer out loud saying 'I am 48' then read the question on their card. The cards should make a loop ending up back with the first person.

Ideally you will have a set of loop cards that matches the number of students in your class. To keep students engaged you may choose to use loop cards with smaller groups giving each student 2 or 3 cards each.

You may also give students a whole set of loop cards for them to organise into a circle or line.

I have attached 11 sets of 12 loop cards for each of the timestables. Overtime I will add additional cards.

Loop Cards 2's
Loop Cards 3's
Loop Cards 4's
Loop Cards 5's 
Loop Cards 6's
Loop Cards 7's
Loop Cards 8's
Loop Cards 9's
Loop Cards 10's
Loop Cards 11's
Loop Cards 12's

Teaching Idea - Stamps

Sometimes the simplest things excite students and enhances their interest in something they do daily.

Today’s example is centered around stamps.

We focus on different forms of writing throughout the year and when we look at letters my used stamp collection comes out of the writing box.

We have been discussing and writing formal letters, informal letters, postcards and cards.

I have family overseas which means every birthday and holiday I get cards in envelopes with FOREIGN STAMPS. Exciting? I didn't really think so either but I put them out for publishing the class were fascinated.

 We discussed how stamps from different countries vary and made suggestions for how the images on stamps are decided. Some students were so interested they did some research on the internet. 

My favourites, as always, were the stamps the children made themselves using sticky labels and their knowledge of the landmarks and passtimes (and currencies) of different countries. 

Beautiful

MR

Teaching Idea - Worry Dolls

A book I love to read, especially at the beginning or very end of the year when many students have worries, is Silly Billy by Anthony Browne.

We always read the information page at the back about Worry Dolls. After reading everyone wants to make their own worry dolls. 

You need:

 

Masking tape, scissors, match sticks 

AND

 

Wool or embroidery thread. 

You can use 4 match sticks per doll or 5 match sticks per doll depending on how thick you want them to be. I find the thicker 5 match stick dolls are easier for little (and big) fingers. 

Assemble the match sticks like this

  Stick the sticks together with masking tape. ( you need to cut the ‘head’ stick a little to make it the right size) 

With a little bit of masking tape stick the thread to the body and wrap it around...

  ...until you have made pants, a skirt or a dress. 

Then stick a new piece of tread onto the body and make a shirt.

 Cut some stripes and fold and glue in the centre to make long hair or cut a long piece and scrunch it up for short hair. 

I recommend gluing the hair down, it's probably the trickiest part!

 Some students add details like a belt or a bracelet or ‘striped’ pants or ribbons. 

Everyone ends up with their own set of worry dolls. 

MR

Welcome

Here I will share some things I've done and some things I've seen in primary school classrooms. I love open-ended and engaging tasks that students are excited to do! AND I love incidental learning opportunities.

I Hope you find something you want to try!

 MR