Saturday, June 14, 2014

Spark Student Motivation: You Be the Teacher!

Happy June!
My husband and I just got back from Napa Valley Thursday night-it was an amazing trip! It was a much needed relaxation time for both of us, but we missed our children so much while we were gone (we haven't been away from our children since my first son was born, 15 years ago).
We visited The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Muir Woods, and 7 different wineries. (I also had two massages!!) My husband worked very hard to earn this trip from his company and now I'm already telling him he has to earn it again for next year! :)
Here are a few pics:




 If you ever have the opportunity to visit Napa Valley, I highly recommend it! It's a beautiful place!
Now, time to share how I sparked some motivation the last week of school!
I blogged about this motivating and engaging idea a few weeks ago, but I wanted to share some of this year's lessons with you. My students thoroughly impressed me!
It's so funny to see how the kids imitate me!
This young lady did a bullying lesson on feelings. I was quite impressed with her lesson and the way she managed the class. When she called them to the floor she said, "I want you to push in your chairs QUIETLY," and then she said, "Raise your hand if..." She also pulled name sticks to make it fair for everyone participating. Most impressive to me was the way she modified her lesson midway when it wasn't working...a true teacher!
 Another creative lesson was presented by this little teacher...she taught her students how to make Moon Sand! She was very clear with her instructions and had the kids' full attention! I think her favorite part was wearing the microphone! 
 I didn't realize how "crafty" my students were until week! This teacher taught her students how to make homemade ice cream! She was super organized with all of her materials. She was definitely a prepared teacher!
 This young man taught his students how to correctly throw a baseball (YES, this is the one who dunked me!!). Don't worry, we went outside for this lesson...they were just warming up! My favorite part of his lesson was his hook-he showed a YouTube video of Fifty Cent when he threw the opening pitch at a major league baseball game and it didn't exactly go to the catcher! This was his rationale for teaching them how to throw and aim correctly!
 We also had some teachers teach writing, double digit multiplication, how to check division problems, how to make a door hanger, and more!
If you need a motivating idea for your students, you've got to try this!
It's such a wonderful way to showcase your students' talents!
*My only suggestion is to at least give yourself a two week window. We started late this year and unfortunately, we didn't get to everyone (it was optional, but I'm sure there were couple of shy kiddos who were relieved!).
Pick it up in my TPT Store...FREE! Please be kind and leave some sweet feedback!
Have a super weekend!
 
**Trying to decide if I should keep this linky going through the summer since we don't have students. I was thinking we could post items/ideas we find during the summer that will motivate our students when we return to school.
 I'd love to hear your thoughts...

I hope you had a wonderful week! Please link up any lessons, ideas, tips, tricks, incentives, ANYTHING you do get your students motivated or excited!
Don't forget to grab my button and link back to this post!
Check out all the wonderful ideas from my friends who link up and don't forget to leave some love by commenting....we LOVE comments!
***Please include the topic in the link up with your blog name.



14 comments:

  1. LOVE your idea of having students teach! I think this linky would be a great way to collect ideas to get kids all fired up when we get back. I know I will need all the ideas I can get since my special needs kiddos seem to need more than the average bear. :)

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  2. I love your little teachers! And I'm soooo glad you got to take a vacation! :) xoxo
    Jivey

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  3. Love Mukr woods, oh the scent! So happy you got to go away, hope your husband earns it again next year! I really like your student teachers, I am going to add that to my end of the year plans for next year.

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  4. I am in California RIGHT NOW...I got here Wednesday night. I flew into San Jose. I can't believe we were that close to one another!!! xoxox
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  5. Beautiful pictures of your vacation - glad you had a good time and the flight went well. I am sure your kids missed you too! Love your little teachers. I am still trying to fit in this idea - it is phenomenal.

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  6. Aww your teachers did such a great job. Thanks for the freebie!

    I'm glad you had fun :)

    Anisa @ Creative Undertakings

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  7. What a fantastic trip you had to Napa. It's so beautiful up there! I live in SoCal, but have every intention of retiring up in Marin County. I also really like the "You be the Teacher" lesson. Neat idea for oral presentations. Thanks for the freebie!

    Ali
    Teaching Powered by Caffeine

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  8. Each year as part of our huge fundraiser students can win "teacher of the day". in each of our classrooms. This activity would be a great way to let the other students get a taste of teaching too! Looking forward to using this next year. Only 6 jam-packed days left!!!

    Kim
    Quinnessential Lessons

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  9. Those lessons turned out so cute!! I bet they learned so much!! I loved the pics from your trip! So glad y'all had fun!!
    Rachel
    A Tall Drink of Water

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  10. That trip seems wonderful. Thanks for the freebie.

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  11. The picture of you with the bridge in the background is so beautiful! We went to San Fran about 15 years ago for our anniversary. Loved the visit to Alcatraz. So much history there!

    Jennifer
    Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

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  12. Glad you enjoyed your (sounds like) much needed vacation! I got married last July at a winery in Healdsburg, which is about an hour from Napa. That area is just beautiful!! Your pictures are great!
    I love your student teachers, too! What a fun idea!

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