News and Notes
January 7, 2008
Debby Kramb Area 4 ALT
Applying research to instruction: Use Graphic Organizers
Try some activities using circle maps or flow maps to organize thoughts and work on time lines!
Happy New Year!
This is a great time to review your class rules and procedure and make adjustments if needed. It is also a good time to renew the feeling of cohesiveness among your students. Take time to have a class meeting and share highlights of winter break. Make sure you connect with each child this week – let them know they are still valued and your expectations are still high!
Here is an idea that ties in with several standards. Pick your standard first and then have students create Personal Maps.
This is a great and quick activity for all ages. It is all about making connections with kids and the kids making connections to each other. The maps can be used as a pre-speaking organizer (follow up with a presentation to the class) or a pre-writing activity - follow them up with a writing assignment – the story of my life so far! They are can be used as a review or introduction to time lines (include regularly spaced dates like a number line) and if you include historical happenings or changes in technology (inventions) they can tie into other content area standards. The maps are a neat display to have up during conference week!
I would encourage you to model making your own map so the students know a little bit about you and your journey to become a teacher. And pat yourself on the back for a great start to the New Year!
Directions:
Personal Map
Think about the journey that has brought you to this time and this place. How did you get here? Create a map that illustrates your journey. Begin at any point you consider the “start” of your journey (birthday) and end at the present. (You might consider including places you have lived, family additions, the schools you have attended, sports accomplishments, significant interests, hobbies, pets, jobs, etc.)
You might start out with a circle map as you brainstorm – and then put the information into a flow map. Your end product format is up to you. Possible game board format, snake like figure, yellow brick road, etc. might help get you started. Don’t worry about your artistic ability – stick figures and symbols are fine!
Considering this activity as your opportunity to share with others as a personal introduction, prepare your map with the significant “stops” on your way.
The only criteria are that your map should be readable and understandable even if you aren’t around to explain it!