Unfortunately I was unable to attend class to hear guest speaker Brittany’s techniques. However, I was able to review the slides she has created and here are a few things I picked up.
SELF Check-ins
- Use a color chart for students to non-verbally indicate how they feel as they enter the classroom.
- Morning and end-of-day circles help students practice emotional regulation, using activities like thumbs up/down, “rose, bud, thorn.”
First Year of Teaching
- Implement smooth transitions and “soft starts” with activities like playdoh, outdoor time, yoga, meditation, or reading.
- Use engaging prompts for assessing student readiness (e.g., “Show me 5 pieces of pepperoni on your play doh pizza”).
- Transition songs tailored to specific tasks or moments.
Modeling and Proximity
- Use “I do, we do, you do” strategy for group projects; create an example project with students before they start independently.
- Display clear visual examples of skill levels (emerging, developing, proficient, extending) for writing and drawing in the classroom.
Digital Portfolio/Fresh Grades
- Upload student work to an accessible digital platform for parents to view.
- Encourage student choice in selecting their best work to share, fostering parent-child discussions about school progress.
“Get to Know Me!” Sheet
- Collect useful information from parents about their child to better support individualized learning and classroom management.
Co-Creation and Collaboration
- Seek support and advice from colleagues as needed.
- Collaborate with students for classroom design, starting with blank walls and building together through the year.
After reviewing Brittany’s slides I find this information highly valuable for a starting teacher as it provides practical, hands-on strategies to establish an effective and supportive classroom environment while navigating the challenges of a new teaching role. I will definitely be reflecting back to this in the near future.