Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Teacher Tuesday: Thanksgiving Edition



Hey, friends! Today I'm sharing a REALLY simple and fun way to change an otherwise monotonous lesson into something engaging and memorable.  When my classes learn ratios, the typical lesson plan would be to put up a data set on the board and have them write ratios using the numbers of apples and oranges, or monkeys and tigers, etc.  Instead of putting up a set of data, we create our own using these fun "would you rather" questions. 

I put these slides up on the board and we go around the room and they each tell me their response to the question.  We tally up the answers as we go, write the ratios (typically in three different, simplest forms) and then I ask two of three of them to tell everyone why they picked the choice they did.






Next, there are only a few class days left before Thanksgiving break, and I love having these little conversation questions available as a fun way to start class or a way to fill an extra few minutes at the end of the period.



1) What was the best gift you ever received?

2) What is something you love that you would like to share with someone else?

3) Tell us about a time when someone did something thoughtful for you.  What was it?  What about a time you did something thoughtful for someone else?

4) If you could give one present to the whole world, what would it be any why?

5) Do you think it's more important to be kind or happy? Why? Let's discuss the importance of kindness and ways you can display kindness every day, even in small ways.

6) If you could start your own charity, who/what would it help?

7) What famous person would  you invite to Thanksgiving dinner?
 Last, we're gearing up for exams and students are starting to feel the academic pressure.  I give a couple different quizzes before break and on one of them I stick this graphic on the bottom of the page...

... and I write a little note telling them how/why I'm thankful for them.  I'm sure it means more to some students than others :), and it takes FOREVER, but I have a great time reflecting on each of the kids and my hope is that it's a little confidence boost and sweet memory or them.

Happy Tuesday, Friends!!!


23 comments :

  1. Love the ideas...and I'm counting down til our break too!!! I'm taking one day of class time and we are painting my ceiling tiles! Each student is doing his/her favorite bible verse! Hope it turns out presentable! Ha!

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  2. I wish I could teleport into your classroom as a middle schooler!! Eek! Those were rough days for me, but it would be worth it to have you as a teacher. :)

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  3. I've said it before and I'll say it again, one of these days, I'm just going to come to school with you and observe you being the best teacher ever :).

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  4. What great ideas!! :) I love that you share why you are thankful for each of your students!! What a blessing to them!! Xoxo

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  5. Yep....you've done it again....you've proven you are the BEST TEACHER EVER. :) Those kids are so lucky to have you not just as a teacher, but in their lives!

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  6. Writing why you are thankful for each kid on their quiz is one the greatest ideas I've ever heard!!! I know you say it means more to some than others but they will ALL remember it!! :)

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  7. You're such a a amazing teacher !!!

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  8. I wish I had you as a Math teacher! You sound awesome & I might have understood Math then 😉

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  9. Stop right now!!! You seriously are one of the most amazing teachers ever : ) I am thankful for you sharing these ideas and for all the fun you bring to this little corner of internet-land.

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  10. Teacher to teacher, this is amazing!! Thanks for sharing your ideas and your heart. =)

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  11. Had I had you for a teacher, I would have LOVED math :)
    Happy Tuesday!

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  12. Taking the time to tell each student why you are thankful for them is absolutely phenomenal. You are an incredible teacher! I'm so thankful that there are teachers like you who go above and beyond to encourage and inspire the next generation!

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  13. You are a very thoughtful teacher - I am sure they will be thankful for you as their teacher! I love that you promote kindness - something everyone can give, but so many forget about!

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  14. These are great ideas!! Love the discussion/question prompts and I love the idea of writing notes to them on their exams. What a great way to be intentional. Have a great day!!!

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  15. What perfect timing for me to read this post! We are starting our Rates unit today with my 7th graders! I love your Teacher Tuesdays! You are so inspiring! I am in my 4th year of teaching middle school math and I hope to one day be as inspiring to my students as you are to yours! Thank you for all you do!

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  16. I love your posts, especially the teaching posts! I am completing my student teaching right now at a junior high school, and I was wondering if you let your students listen to music during work time? I know there's a debate around this topic, but I was wondering what your opinion on was :) Thanks!

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  17. You are the best teacher ever!!!! As a high school administrator (7-12), my husband, would love to have you on staff !!! What a blessing you are...spreading the light wherever you go!!! Got a question...we always love to treat his staff as a whole at Christmas to show them his appreciation for job well done all year through. Last year I set up a festive table in teachers' lounge & served Christmas punch, homemade fudge & Chex mix from our family to theirs...I think they enjoyed Greer as much as anything...lol!!! What as a teacher do you love to receive or makes you feel appreciated the most?!? Just trying to look for creative ideas & I know you are full of them!!!! Thanks in advance!!!!!

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  18. I agree with the above comments on how awesome a teacher you are! I enjoy your blog and have my daughter, who is studying to become a teacher, following you now too. Many great ideas for when she begins teaching. Your students are lucky to have you!

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  20. ugh i wish i had you as a teacher back then!

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  21. Can you please do a post on reasonable and fun teacher gifts for Christmas? Not the cookies in a jar ideas but something not too expensive (6 teachers) that teachers would really like

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  22. I like the conversation starters for this month! Your teacher posts are some of my favorites!

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  23. Have you ever thought about making your Teacher Tuesdays a link-up? I don't know how many other teachers you have reading but I love hearing your ideas and would love to hear from others as well!

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