Benefits of teaching children to draw.

When children draw they are developing their skills in many ways. The benefits include developing their fine motor skills, encouraging their visual analysis, it encourages concentration, improves hand-eye co-ordination, increases individual confidence and it teaches creative problem solving. With this many benefits, why wouldn't we make time for our students to access the process?

For great drawing lessons that are free and engaging, check out Drawmore4kids on YouTube. These lessons are free and your students will love them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDqVWU8u25E&t=244s

Click on this link  Drawmore4kids

Learning Opportunites

I've always felt, strongly, the need to encourage students to be proud when they make a mistake as a mistake is always a great way of ensuring new learning.

So, in my class, I have students ring the bell. We call it a 

Learning Opportunity

And the student who has made the error has the opportunity to inform others of what they have learnt from 'making the mistake'. 

Students are always proud to share what they have learnt and it  erases any shame or embarrassment commonly associated with the making of an error. 

I hope you can use this idea in your classroom, too!

What's the Time Mrs Ward?

Time is a difficult concept for children to understand because it isn't tens based. 

There's 60 mins in and hour and half of that is 30 .... and it is so much easier when it is 10' s and 5's or 100's and 50's. 

There's fractions halves and quarters... there's pasts and to's and it's a lot for children to take in.  They require a foundation of understanding in all these areas before learning to tell the time, 'clicks'.

But... don't despair!

I believe a hands-on approach can help with understanding.

Draw a large circle on the whiteboard.

Next, mark that places for 12, 6, 3 and 9.

By this time, the children will begin working out what you are making.

Ask students to help you place the numerals on the clock face. 

Notice the four main numbers are in a different colour. 

The numerals on the 'past' side of the clock are pink.

The numerals on the "to' side of the clock are green.

Add the minute amounts (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, etc.) around the outside of the clock.

Next, it's time to place the hands on the clock.

Ask children to make different times to fully understand their knowledge of telling the time.

To purchase my TIME PACKAGE please click on the title.

Commas in a List

I used my punctuation pack this week to demonstrate how we use commas with a list of words.

We started with a list of words on the board.

Box

Ball

Stick

Shoe

Brush

I had the words already printed on cards. I also had the word "and" as I knew we would need it.

and

I had the children stand up in order and then had other children hold the orange 'commas' (they are a little difficult to see in the photo but they are holding them!). The last student is holding a red full stop. They had to come and stand in between the children with the words.

To purchase my PUNCTUATION PACK please click on the name.

Learn about Time

Time time telling is always difficult to understand. So many maths concepts are set to base ten numbers but time has 60 mins in 1 hour and all those numbers, and matching them with 5 minute interval numbers, time past and time to, and halves and quarters ... 
Phew! No wonder it's a tough task to master!

So..., because I think children learn best by 'doing', I decided to create a lesson where children can touch all the parts of the clock and move them around.

I started by drawing a large circle on the carpet with chalk. (This is a common tool in my classroom, as chalk simply sweeps off the carpet leaving no trace.)





I had prepared numerals on coloured sheets of paper. I purposely made numbers that sit opposite on the clock, the same colour, so they look like 'pairs'.









I also had organised the 'digital increments' of 5, 10, 15, 20 etc. so they could be placed 
on the exterior of the clock face.





Cards with o'clock times, half past and quarter past times were also prepared and ready for use.



I had 2 rolls of paper wrap which I used as the hands of the clock.

So, the lesson started....

I asked individual children to place numerals on the circle in the places they felt they belonged.








I gave children a time and they had to use the hands to make that time. We also made the matching digital time to use as a visual.

Such a fun way to learn! 

Let's Go Fly a Kite...

Learning how things work, is so amazing for little minds and they simply love learning about the things they have made. We've most recently made kites and discussed the effects of the wind and the reasons behind why kites fly.

We made our own using a simple piece of A4 paper. They work so well and are quite the little flyers!

If you like to be prepared, like I do, then you might want to fold up a set of kites...

... and strings on paddlepop sticks.   A set of tails will also help.

Start with a piece of A4 paper and fold in half, then down as pictured.

Then open ...

 ... and make the wings flat.

Punch a hole on the smaller side of the under carriage.

This is where the string will attach.

Flip over and attach a straw for securing the wings. Attach a streamer of crepe paper for a tail.

Let the fun begin!

 You might find naming them handy ... especially once tangled .... hmmmmm....... Fun, right??!

 

 

Rhyme Time

As an early educator, I am often surprised by the number of children in my class who find it difficult to rhyme words.

 

I have created a fun Rhyming Game to help with the problem.

This game can be played by the whole class or you can use it in a small group setting. All you have to do is count out the cards and you are off ...

 

I recommend laminating the cards so they last and can be reused.

You can find it HERE at my TpT store .....

 

Rhyme Time Game

 I am giving away a copy of my new game - Rhyme Time - to one lucky person who comments on how helpful games are for learning, on this post.

Good Luck!

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway