Hello Mrs Sykes

Today I want to share a trick for you to establish positive relationships with your students. Establish a positive connection with your students to help them engage and feel passionate about the importance of the subject matter.

The Brain Booster Box is one of my fave Bright Ideas so far!  The Brain Booster Box is my lifesaver.  It's a glittery treasure box I received from Highlights magazine ages ago, with a few special additions, and a perfect way to begin the school year. Brain Booster Box from Hello Mrs Sykes  First, I add some open-ended question cards, task cards, or questions I like from "I Have.. Who Has...?" games.  At the beginning of the year, these are open ended questions.  (Items that can fit in your pocket; Ways to create the number 42; Games that use a ball; etc.)  There is no winner/loser, and students don't mind because they get to use these babies...  Fun Buzzers!! Fun Buzzers Keep Everyone Interested I am so protective of the buzzers (which make different sounds - one is a doorbell, one is a spring-type "boing," etc.)  They also came from Highlights.  Now for the frowny-face part: when the materials are misused.  From the beginning...

I was inspired to write this post after a chat with my buddy Casey , and we were talking about the way I use music in the classroom.  I have different music that goes with different moods/tasks.  For example: For Writing, we listen to Enya .  Specifically, Watermark .  (Really, anything by Enya  would probably accomplish the same thing.)  It's dreamy, new-agey background music, and my kiddos can still focus on their work.  I play it softly, and if our conferences are getting too loud, I simply ask someone at the other side of the room if they can still hear the music.  They stop and listen, then tell me they can't hear it.  That's the cue for the class to be quieter - they know if people can't hear the music, they can't have their calm, focused writing time.  Love it!! For Partner Work and Math, we listen to Vince Guaraldi .  This year, we're listening to Oh Good Grief!  My kiddos love it, and they recognize that thi...

My Music Wand arrived in the mail yesterday!!!  I am in love.  It is such a pleasing soft sound, and it gets the attention of my  rambunctious  spirited group this year.  I'm adding it to my arsenal of attention getters.  Here's a quick run-down of my favorites: Class?  Yes!  - This is my favorite!!  I've been with my new class for 4 days, and they were experts in this by the end of the first day...   Here's a link to a post with my favorite Whole Brain Teaching video - it will change the way you teach.  :)  Yes, for the better!! Music Wand - it's awesome!  Here's the one I got...   <3 it!!  (No, they didn't pay me for this!  I just like it!) If You Can Hear My Voice... - Love it!  Here are a few of the ones I use... If you can hear my voice, clap once.  If you can hear my voice, clap twice. (repeat until everyone is "with the program." If you can hear my voice, hands on hips. ...

Please welcome Michele from Miss Nelson's Got the Camera .  Her blog is so cute, with many helpful posts.  Be sure to check her out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hi! I'm Michele from Miss Nelson's Got the Camera . I’m glad to be guest blogging here today. Thank you Jen for having me. Today I’m going to share some tips for motivating students and using incentives to increase a desired behavior.   I've taught for 10 years so over the years, I've had a chance to add tools and tricks to my teaching bag. I use many different tricks and tools and some years I change it up depending on my students. If you don’t agree with candy or treasure box items you could always use stickers, stamps, extra recess, free reading time, etc. Brownie Points- This is a sweet way to get kids motivated to walking quietly on campus, being polite in the lunchroom and being on their best behavior at specials. This system is used whole g...

I have tried one "Whole Brain Teaching" technique with great success - Class/Yes. (If you haven't tried "class/yes," you should; it works!!) Then I was blog stalking and came across this post from Ms. Smartie Pants , and I had to share!!!  This video is amazing.  Take the 6 minutes to watch, and spend tomorrow teaching your class one or 2 techniques.  I know I will!!! Enjoy! ;)