TEACH+Like+Your+Hair's+On+Fire

Ideas I'd like to try from: __TEACH Like Your Hair's On Fire__ by Rafe Esquith Book Clubs Before school, after school, during lunches or study halls ANY teacher can start a book club. As a special education teacher who loves reading, I would love to be able to have a book club with "typical students." In addition, I would like to be able to get my students involved with other students they may not normally have a chance to get to know. I could help my students be prepared for the book club meetings so they felt comfortable. Students can encourage each other to read and students can see that many different types of people, students and adults, enjoy reading. The English department at my middle school has been discussing starting a "Real People Read (and Write)" series where adults from the building and community "book talk" books they have read. I think the idea of the book club could go right along with this idea.

Grammar Lessons The idea of quick and easy grammar lessons done first thing in the morning struck a cord with me. I don't think I've taught enough grammar and this seems like an easy way to incorporate it into the day. A mini-lesson presents a new skill, then students complete an activity. It seems so simple, but sometimes we all need reminders of the simple things! Students then get quick feedback and rewrite until they are correct (with help and feedback along the way as needed).

Mental Math/Tile Problems Using ideas from math (or other subject areas) the teacher presents a mental math problem that the students solve and then answer using numbered tiles. All the students have to figure out the problem because they all have to raise their number tile. There is no embarrassment for the wrong answer because no one is put in the spotlight. See [|www.marcycookmath.com] for more information and activities for Tile Problems. I need to find a cheap way to make tiles for my class!

Test Taking Strategies Reminding students look at all the answer choices, understand where those choices come from and always asking "Does my answer make sense?"

Geography Just like grammar, I haven't spent enough time on geography. I pull down the outdated and barely visable map frequently, but don't spend enough time making sure students are really understanding the places I point out on the map. Spending a small amount of time each day on geography can make a world of difference...no pun intendened!

Art Projects Like the author, I have no artistic abilities, but my students do! They only take art class at school in 6th and 7th grade. A couple of the projects would be really interesting to complete in class. I can also see adding a writing assignment to many of these projects, either about the artists, the process or stories inspired by the art pieces.

Problem Solving Yet another skill that never gets enough attention. The specific steps (with a list of strategies) help lead the students in the right direction. And my favorite step, #4. Analyze...Does My Answer Make Sense? Student too often feel that they completed the problem, got an answer, so they must be done! I'm going to copy this - on cardstock and laminate them for the student's desks.