Mountainview+Elementary


 * __Instructional Strategies:__**
 * When my teacher is teaching a mini-lesson she uses the "I do, we do, you do" strategy. First she models the skill being taught. Then the class participates in the skill. Finally, the students practice the skill individually. This helps the students to understand exactly what they are expected to do before they have to do it independently. -Brandi
 * In science, a teacher told me today that it is helpful to get every student in each group a number that is written down somewhere. When it is time to distribute materials, the teacher will call a number to come up. She will use the numbers to dictate which person will complete each task to eliminate fighting. I think this is an effective way to pass out materials and keep the lesson moving. We only have twenty minutes for science and this is a great strategy to help get everything completed. - Brandi
 * The students are learning about reference sources in language arts and a lot of them have never heard of several souces. My teacher designed a scavenger hunt to give the students an opportunity to explore the sources and practice using them. The students enjoyed working together and know have a better grasp of the sources. Scavenger hunts are fun for students and can act as a guide for them to follow. -Brandi

__**Classroom Management Strategies:**__
 * In my classroom, my teacher uses a fun phrase to get the students attention. She will say "Clap once if you heard this, clap twice if you heard that." The students clap once and twice to show that they are in good listening position. This requires the students to drop everything they are doing to clap and eliminates the students playing in their desks or continuing to do work while the teacher is talking. - Brandi
 * My teacher uses a marble jar to manage behavior in her classroom. The students can receive marbles for getting good reports from other teachers, turning in their work, and doing other special things in the classroom. Once the marble jar is full, the class votes on a special event for the next week. Last week, the marble jar was full and the students voted to bring their stuffed animals in for the day. The students are constantly doing their work and working hard to earn marbles. They have to work together as a class to earn a marble so it also promotes teamwork. This strategy really seems to work in her classroom and I plan to try it in my future classroom! - Brandi
 * I started using a bell to get my students back on task. I have a quiet voice and when the students get excited it is hard for me to talk over them to use the other strategies I have been using. The bell alerts the students that I need their attention and they are too loud to talk over. This saves my voice a lot and is a simple way to get control back. I would recommend that all teachers with a quiet voice try this strategy! -Brandi