Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM) Instructions: Build a trap to catch a leprechaun using everyday materials. Follow the design process below! Objective: Encourage creativity, engineering skills, and problem-solving by designing a functional trap that could catch a mischievous leprechaun. Planning Sheet: Materials List: What will you use? (e.g., paper, string, tape, cardboard, LEGOs, pipe cleaners, cups, paper towel rolls, craft sticks, aluminum foil, etc.) Sketch Your Design: Draw how your trap will work, labeling key parts and mechanisms. Trap Mechanism: How will your trap trigger when the leprechaun enters? Will it use a pulley, lever, or hidden entrance? Will you include bait like gold coins, glitter, or candy? Building Phase: Work on assembling your trap using the selected materials. Testing & Improvements: Try triggering the trap multiple times. Identify any weaknesses and refine the design. Reflection Questions: What was the most challenging part of building the trap? What ...
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Make Dsimissal Time Smooth and Structured
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Here are some tips for varying grade levels to ensure a smooth and orderly class dismissal.
Establish a Consistent Routine.
Create a clear and consistent dismissal routine that students can easily follow. This might include specific tasks like putting away materials, lining up in a certain order, or listening for a dismissal signal. Consistency helps students understand expectations and reduces confusion.
Use Visual and Verbal Cues.
Visual cues (like a timer or specific hand signals) and verbal cues (like a transition song or countdown) can help signal to students that it's time to prepare for dismissal. This keeps the process calm and prevents last-minute chaos.
Positive Reinforcement.
Praise or reward students who follow the dismissal routine well. Offering a small incentive, such as stickers or verbal praise, encourages others to follow suit, helping the transition go smoothly without constant reminders.
Assign Responsibilities or Roles.
Give students specific roles related to dismissal, like a "materials manager" to ensure supplies are returned or a "line leader" to guide others if needed. This fosters responsibility and keeps students engaged during the transition, reducing idle chatter or distractions.
Set Clear Expectations with Time Boundaries.
Let students know what you expect before dismissal—such as desks being cleared, chairs pushed in, and students waiting quietly. You can set a timer for the last 2–3 minutes of class to signal that it’s time to start wrapping up. Clear time limits help keep transitions efficient and focused.
Stagger Dismissal by Groups or Sections.
Dismissing small groups or rows at a time (like by table, row, or section) can help minimize crowding and chaos at the door. Encourage students who are ready to leave first, allowing the more organized students to exit calmly, while the rest finish up.
Use a Calm, Structured Wrap-Up.
Dedicate the last 3–5 minutes of class to reviewing key points or upcoming assignments. This gives students a clear end to the lesson and a moment to focus on what’s next. A calm wrap-up also prevents students from packing up early or becoming distracted.
Offer a Flexible, Respectful Dismissal.
Older students value autonomy, so offer a respectful dismissal process by clearly stating, “Class is dismissed” when the bell rings, or after the final instructions are given. Encourage them to remain seated until dismissed, emphasizing that leaving prematurely can disrupt others. Setting this tone early in the year fosters respect.
Plan for Quick Exits with Minimal Clutter.
Remind students to gather their belongings during the final moments of class, keeping the space neat and clear of clutter. Encourage them to return materials to designated spots before leaving. Having a clean, organized exit space prevents bottlenecks and allows students to leave without lingering unnecessarily.
By reinforcing structure while allowing students more independence, classroom dismissals can be smooth and efficient, with minimal disruption to learning time.
Here are some engaging and versatile New Year activities suitable for all grade levels that can be adapted to fit your classroom needs. Goal Setting and Vision Boards - Activity: Have students reflect on the past year and set goals for the new year. - Younger students: Draw or cut out pictures from magazines to represent their goals. - Older students: Write SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. - Materials: Paper, magazines, glue, markers, or digital tools for creating online vision boards. - Variation: Create a class goal together to encourage teamwork. "Year in Review" Time Capsule - Activity: Students reflect on their favorite memories, achievements, and lessons learned from the past year. - Younger students: Fill out a simple worksheet with prompts like “My favorite thing I learned this year” or “I loved when we…” - Older students: Write reflective journal entries or letters to their future selves. - Foll...
Remember, teaching is a profession. You are a professional. Many times, we tend to forget that. Here are some some of the worse things teachers can do. Scream and yell. If you want to look bad in front of your students and staff, then you will raise your voice. Sure way to shorten your teaching career. This is related to losing your temper in class. Don't do it. No matter what, keep your emotions under control. You are the teacher, boss, and leader. You can get respect without yelling. Also on this note, classroom teachers should not single out a student and belittle them. This includes chewing them out for doing something, or not doing something. You will never brow beat a student into behaving or learning. You will only look like a foolish teacher. And quite an ineffective one at that. This includes getting upset for every little thing. Little things happen in class. They do not all require punishment, referrals, calls to the principal, etc. Let it go. Acknowledge it, then...
Girls in STEM: Throughout history, women have played a major role in the science of mathematics. Sadly, not many are remembered in this way. These woman can be an inspiration to girls and young women to go into the sciences. Woman have been involved with math and science for thousands of years. But it still is basically a man's world. These woman of the past can be used to encourage more girls to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering, and math. Perhaps by knowing some of the accomplishents of women in the past, they too can strive to make history. Of course they can inspire boys too! Here are our picks for The Top 10 Women in Mathematics History #10 Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia (1646-1684). First woman in the world to receive a PhD. #9 Hypatia (lived around 400 ad) The first woman to have an impact on the science of math. She was ruthlessly murdered in her hometown of Alexandria. #8 Winifred Edgerton (1862-1951) First American woman to recieve a...
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