11 End of the Year Activities Using Balls and Balloons

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Balls and balloons offer a cheap and fun way to complete your school year.  What’s more integrating balls and balloons brings a tactile, playful, and kinesthetic modality into the classroom.  Balls and balloons can be used to review the academic content, as well as mindfulness activities and keepsakes.  Below is featured a variety of entertaining, multisensory ideas.

Reviewing Key Topics from the School Year

These games can be played with an entire class in a large circle facing one another, or you can break the students into small groups or pairs. 

1) Parts of Speech Game:  Place the parts of speech on a balloon or ball.  Have the students pass the balloon or ball to one another.  Instruct them to say aloud the first part of speech they see.  Then ask them to provide a word that is an example of that part of speech.  Players can not repeat a word that has already been used.  If they do, they are out of the game.

2) Figurative Language Game:  Place the figurative language terms on a balloon or ball.  Have the students pass the balloon or ball to one another, and instruct them to say aloud the first figurative language term they see.  Then ask them to provide a phrase that is an example of that type of figurative language.  Players can not repeat a figurative language example that has already been used.  If they do, they are out of the game.

3) Types of Syllables Game:

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Place the syllable types on a balloon or ball.  Have the students pass the balloon or ball to one another, and instruct them to say aloud the first syllable type that they see.  Then ask them to provide a word that is an example of that type of syllable.  Players can not repeat a word that has already been used.  If they do, they are out of the game.

4) Vowel Combinations or Vowel Teams Game:

Place the vowel combinations on a balloon or ball.  Have the students pass the balloon or ball to one another, and instruct them to say aloud the first vowel combination that they see.  Then ask them to provide a word that uses that vowel combination.  Players can not repeat an example that has already been used.  If they do, they are out of the game.

5) Types of Sentences:

Place the types of sentences on a balloon or ball.  Have the students pass the balloon or ball to one another, and instruct them to say aloud the first sentence type that they see.  Then ask them to provide a sentence that illustrates that sentence type.  Players can not repeat a sentence that has already been used.  If they do, they are out of the game.

6) Main Ideas and Details:

Place main ideas on a balloon or ball.  Main ideas could include transportation, colors, vacation spots and so forth.  Have the students pass the balloon or ball to one another, and instruct them to say aloud the main idea that they see.  Then ask them to provide a detail that would be properly categorized under that main idea.  Players can not repeat a detail that has already been used.  If they do, they are out of the game.

Mindfulness Activities and Keepsakes

7) What I Learned:  Have the students sit in a circle facing one another.  Explain that the only person who can speak is the one holding the ball.  Toss the ball to one of your students and ask them to share the most important thing they learned over the school year.  When they are finished talking, have them toss the ball to another student.  Continue until all the students have an opportunity to share their thoughts.

8) My Favorite Lessons:  

Have the students sit in a circle facing one another.  Explain that the only person who can speak is the one holding the ball.  Toss the ball to one of your students and ask them to share their favorite lesson from the whole school year.  Ask them to also share why they like it so much.  When they are finished talking, have them toss the ball to another student.  Continue until all the students have an opportunity to share their thoughts.

9) What I Like About Me and You:

Have the students sit in a circle facing one another.  Explain that the only person who can speak is the one holding the ball.  Toss the ball to one of your students and ask them to share one thing that they like about themselves and one thing that they like about the person who tossed them the ball.  When they are finished talking, have them toss the ball to another student.  Continue until all the students have an opportunity to share their thoughts.

10) Memory Balls: Give each student a blank inflatable ball, such as a beach ball.  Provide permanent markers and let the students go around and sign each other’s balls.  They can leave short messages too.  Be sure to say that all messages must be positive. 

11) Why I’m “Special” Balls:  Before you begin this activity, ask your students to help you create a list of positive adjectives that can describe people.  Place this list where all the students can see it.  Now, give each of your students a blank beach ball or balloon.  Provide permanent markers and have the students go around and write a positive adjective that describes the person on the ball or balloon to whom it belongs.   Encourage the students to come up with unique adjectives by looking at each ball and coming up with something new. 

If you would like to learn about some of my other popular games.  Go to: http://goodsensorylearning.comThere, you can even download freebies on some of my product pages.

I hope you enjoy these games!!  I would love to hear you thoughts.

Cheers, Erica
Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.goodsensorylearning.com  www.dyslexiamaterials.com and  www.learningtolearn.biz 

Fun End of the Year Activities and Games

Fun End of the Year Activities and Games Linky Party

Cheers, Erica

Student Learning and Confidence can Skyrocket by Changing One Approach

Student Learning and Confidence can Skyrocket by Changing One Approach

Many teachers fear the moment when a student will ask them a question that they do not have the knowledge to answer.  This uncomfortable situation can cause some teachers to change the subject, others will construct a roundabout explanation, a few will make a guess and several may even discourage their students from asking questions altogether. 

Students Learn to “Fake it”

When a teacher is unable to admit their lack of knowledge, it sends a disagreeable message to the class.  Students can usually tell when a teacher sidesteps a question and many are dismayed when given faulty information or when questioning is discouraged.  They pick up on the insecure energy and learn that it is shameful to admit that they, “don’t get it” and instead they learn to “fake it” and give others the impression that they know the information or understand what they are hearing when, in fact, they do not.  However, there is another way to handle this situation that will benefit both the teacher and the students.

Release your own Fear in the Learning Process

Good teachers must demonstrate a love for and confidence in the learning process.  The first step to this practice is to release any fear associated with the learning process.  A close second is to be comfortable seeking assistance when gaps in knowledge arise.  Both these skills are best learned vicariously through demonstrations.  Therefore, educators must set an example for students to follow so they can feel safe and comfortable asking questions. 

It’s Okay to Say, “I Don’t know?”

So what’s the big deal about teachers admitting their lack of knowledge when a student asks a difficult question?  Are they afraid that they will look unintelligent?  Do they fear that one of their students could have the answer, but this would undermine their authority?  I, too, had this fear at one time and over the years I have discovered that it is not only okay to say, “I don’t know,” but, in fact, there are enormous benefits.

But How Can Your Lack of Knowledge Help the Class? 

Showing students that you do not have the answer can be a critical learning tool.  

· It shows that you are a life long learner.

· It shows that you appreciate questions that expand    your knowledge.

· It exemplifies that admitting your lack of knowledge can start the process of finding the answer.

· It provides an opportunity for you to share the process of acquiring knowledge.

· It encourages interactive learning and a cooperative environment where students can feel safe sharing knowledge.

· It teaches students to be curious.

· It teaches students how to think critically.

· It teaches students how to be inquisitive, confident learners.

But How Can Teachers Integrate this into Their Classrooms?

Teachers must release their own fears and tell students the truth.  Personally, I like to word it, “I’m not sure about that, let’s figure it out!”  After that, educators need to:

1) Always nurture confident queries.  Encourage students to ask questions.

2) Continually demonstrate how to find answers.  This can be done by asking those around you (students and colleagues), searching the internet, consulting a book and so forth.

3) Constantly cultivate an environment that celebrates and supports exploration. Praise students for asking questions and independently finding the answers.  Create a question box for those that are shy, and let students volunteer to answer the queries with their own knowledge or by volunteering to do the research.

4) Repeatedly, show your students that teachers, too, are comfortable admitting what we don’t know.  Then find the answers or allow others to help you find the answers.  Always provide gratitude and positive feedback to those that help.

If you have any other ideas or anecdotes I would love to hear them!

Cheers, Erica
Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.goodsensorylearning.com  www.dyslexiamaterials.com and  www.learningtolearn.biz 

Using Simple Imagery to Help Students Learn Mathematics

Utilizing imagery and visual memory can be very helpful when learning mathematics.  A single picture can help a student define and remember a concept, or it can even help them to recall the steps required to compute a problem.  What’s more, it often brings the “fun factor” into the learning environment as students can pull out their crayons, colored pencils or magic markers to complete the activity.

I recently learned about the Palm Tree Method from one of my students. I scoured the internet to find its origin, but came up empty handed.  So, although I did not come up with this idea, it is still one of my favorites for solving proportions.  Here is a sample problem and the steps to follow.

1. Write out the proportion.
2. Draw a green oval around the numerator of the first fraction and the denominator of the second fraction.
3. Draw another green oval around the denominator of the first fraction and the numerator of the second fraction.  
4. Notice how the crisscrossing ovals create a multiplication sign.  This will remind students that they will be multiplying the numbers circled. 
5. Draw the trunk on the tree as a brown rectangle.
6. Write out the problem:  100·x = 60·80  (placing the equals sign in the trunk of the palm tree).
7. Solve the next step 60·80=4800 (again placing the equals sign in the trunk of the palm tree).
8. Then divide the two sides by 100 to solve for x.

If you would like to learn about other imagery activities to help your students learn math concepts, you might like my products, Measurement Memory Strategies or Why We Should Learn about Angles.

Cheers, Erica

Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.goodsensorylearning.com  www.dyslexiamaterials.com and  www.learningtolearn.biz 

Learning Place Value with Pompoms and Pill Boxes

Bringing a tactile, visual and experiential component into math instruction can bring the “fun factor” into your lessons.  In addition, incorporating multisensory dynamics into lessons makes them more memorable and concrete. 

This activity is great for math centers, a classroom activity or individual remediation. 

When I teach place values, I like to engage my students with colorful pompoms and pill boxes!  You can usually find pill boxes and bags of assorted pompoms at a Dollar Store.  With a few color coded labels, that cover the days of the week, your pill boxes can be transformed into pompom compartments.  I like to put a single color in each compartment and I color code the labels to match.  This makes it easy for students to reassemble the activity for the next person.  Also, make sure to vary the number of pompoms in each partition.  I like to make a variety of difficulty levels for the students and use the seven boxes as follows:

· Millions, Hundred Thousands, Ten Thousands, Thousands, Hundreds, Tens, Ones

· Hundreds, Tens, Ones, Decimal, Tenths, Hundredths, Thousandths

· Decimal, Tenths, Hundredths, Thousandths, Ten Thousandths, Hundred Thousandths, Millionths

I also like to provide a laminated sheet so students can record answers with a dry erase marker or I place the answer sheet in a dry erase pocket.   Students can check their answers with an answer sheet or a barcode on the back of the pill box.

If you would like this activity, you can create it yourself.  However, this activity, as well as the score sheets, are included in my popular publication, Place Value Panic Game, and Instruction. To learn more, Click Here.

Cheers, Erica
Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.goodsensorylearning.com  www.dyslexiamaterials.com and  www.learningtolearn.biz 

Main Ideas and Supporting Details Instruction, Activities and Games

Many students struggle with main ideas and supporting details.  What’s more, they often find the instruction and activities associated with these abstract concepts to be boring.  I have just finished a new, main idea and supporting details product that offers engaging, multisensory, and mindful lessons, handouts, activities and games.  A charming, cartoon-like character, Main I-deer, will walk your students through the process in a fun and memorable way.  To top it off, I have included two card games (beginners and intermediate) that can be used for group work, learning centers or individual remediation.  

Come check out a free image as well as a preview document.

Cheers, Erica 

Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.goodsensorylearning.com  www.dyslexiamaterials.com and  www.learningtolearn.biz 

108 Online Games that Offer Cognitive or Educational Benefits

Over the years, I have scoured the internet for great, online games.  I am a learning specialist, and if I can get my students involved in activities that benefit cognition and learning, then they can expand their potential and also find joy in the process.   I have each of the games described and linked on the website for my private practice.  In addition, the games are categorized under the following headings, so that it is easy to find the needed resources:  cognitive, general education, writing and language, social studies, science, spelling, reading, digital story telling, math, grammar, typing, social skills, and sequencing.

So, I wanted to share this link with other teachers and families.  CLICK HERE  

I hope you find it useful.  I would love to hear your thoughts!  Also, if you have any other sites that you like, let me know and I will be happy to place them on the page. 

Cheers, Erica

Dr. Erica Warren is the author, illustrator and publisher of multisensory educational materials at Good Sensory Learning and Dyslexia Materials.  She is also the director of Learning to Learn, in Ossining, NY.  To learn more about her products and services, you can go to www.goodsensorylearning.com  www.dyslexiamaterials.com and  www.learningtolearn.biz