Coloring Sheets

I loved to put out Coloring Sheets for my students to color for extra credit.

I've always suspected some of my students thought I was off base when I would put out coloring sheets as bonus work. These were high school students. High school students don't color!

But they did! They loved to color. And I was very careful with the types of coloring sheets I would put out. The sheets had to have a pattern to them. By coloring to show a pattern, I figure they were exercising both sides of the brain.

They were only worth 1 point each. You'd be surprised how many students would grab the new ones when they showed up on my Pick-Up Table. Even worth that little.

CONSIDER THIS: Try coloring sheets in your classroom!

FUN LINKS: Celtic Knot; Flower Wheel; Stars Wreath

CHECK IT OUT: Minneapolis Institute of Arts - Color the classics!

Fun Fingerprinting Activity

Here's a fun activity that could be used in any type of science class. Even a substitute could tuck this in their bag and pull it out for a good active engaging hour of fun and learning!

I've done a version of this activity many times over the years. This one is based on a lesson from the University of Michigan. I've adapted it and turned it into a one page (front-back) activity that uses the skills of observation and classification.

All you need are graphite pencils, clear tape, and 3 x 5 cards.

Click here for the lesson.
Click here for an FBI handout.

Plate Tectonics Packet

My Plate Tectonics Packet is close to finished!

A week doesn't go by without an email from someone asking me when the Plate Tectonics Packet will be done! Thanks for all the interest, Teachers! You are spurring me on to the finish line!

For some reason, this Packet has been a hard one to produce. I know it was the hardest one for me to wrap my brain around as a teacher. It took me years to really understand what was important to teach and to find good, active learning type activities for teaching it.

I know that's why so many of you are interested in this Packet. It is a hard subject to teach! Which is why I think I'm spending so much time on it. I'm trying really hard to do a good job for you.

Some of the features of this Packet:

1. At least SIX PowerPoints! This is such a visual topic and your students need to SEE the concepts.


2. Two major lab activities: One on Wegener and Drifting Continents and one on the concept of Plate Boundaries. Of course, there are many other labs and activities, too.


3. At least THREE Foldables! Two for Plate Boundaries--take your pick which one you use. And the famous Earth's Layers Foldable, which was always the MOST favorite one of my course. Plus I'm toying around with adding another one on Wegener's Evidence, especially since that seems to be a favorite for most state achievement tests.


4. Complete lesson plans, step-by-step, for how to teach this topic, including what to do when

I work on this every day--getting closer and closer. I'm at the point where I wonder if I should put out a Beta Version or just push on through to the end.

FUN LINK: Visit my Teaching Plate Tectonics webpage for a "preview" of what will be in the new Packet.

CONSIDER THIS: Please email me if you have an opinion on this. Would you like me to finish before I put it on my site, including all the answer sheets, or would you rather see a beta version?

FREE PLATE TECTONICS PACKET: to the first Teacher who emails me with an answer to my CONSIDER THIS Question! I will announce the Winner here!

The Teacher Edit

I believe in the Teacher Edit.

I made time for it in my classroom. (I'm retired now.)

Here's how I would do it. I would say, "Line up for points." (I would have already trained my students to line up in an orderly, quiet row to my right.)

I would sit on my teacher chair at my podium in the front of my classroom and talk with my students as I looked at their homework or classwork. I would look each student in the eye. Then look at their paper and check their work. I would have something nice to say to each student. AND I WOULD SAY THEIR NAME!

"Thank you, Max."

And write down their points. Usually 10 points per page. (Always write it on their paper, too!)

This was always an important part of each class period. Here's why:

1. I got to see the work standard and output of each student. I could catch big mistakes and/or correct misconceptions.


2. I could give personal attention to every single student every single day! How many of our students never have a personal encounter with any of their teachers. Don't hear their name on most days? I liked to make sure they heard their name in my room.


3. It gave my kids the chance to stand and stretch their legs. I know I couldn't sit all day every day like teachers expect!


4. If someone didn't come up, I could apply intervention strategies to try to get them involved. (More on this later.

Every time they got too loud I would remind them to give me 10-inch voices, please! If they didn't quiet down, I would say something like, "Oh dear, I wish you'd quieted down. Now we have to practice. Would everybody please sit down?" Then I would take out my Line Up For Points transparency and review the entire procedure. "Does everybody understand? Okay, let's try again."

Then they would line up again, and usually they would be much quieter. If not, I would repeat the Training.

STAMPS

Some years, especially when I had lots of kids with IEPs, I would also stamp their papers with a cute stamp. (Smiley Face, Mickey Mouse, you name it.) Each stamp was worth 10 points. This was a tangible reward which lots of kids just loved. BTW, It's better to also write the points down quickly, so you don't have to collect the papers and count points later. Giving stamps is a nice touch for some groups. I've done stamps all the way from 5th graders to 11 graders. So I can say with confidence, STAMPS work great with every age!

FUN LINK: Rubber Stamp Sets from Be Creative Kids

CONSIDER THIS: Use the Teacher Edit, along with Line Up for Points, in your classroom!