This is sitting in my room right now mocking me:
My plan at the beginning of the day was to watch a different multiplication song each day during transitions. The students would fill in their planner and turn in their homework and have their name on todays paper while it played on the way in. Then they would pack up and line up on the way out.
After today I’ve realized a couple of things:
I need to assign a kid to stand there and make sure the song stops because somehow it ended up on play all and I had to run to my computer. I do have a job named technology specialist in my homeroom but I’ll need one in each class.
I also learned that for my sanity’s sake, I’m not going to pick one song for the day. I like to have them listen to it twice because singing along and having multiplication facts stuck in THEIR head is kind of the goal. Having 3 classes means that I’m going to have to mix it up because I can’t take the song 6 times in one day.
I’m sure many of you have a ‘smart’ board out there. How do you use it for transitions?
By the way, you don’t have to have a blog to leave comments. I never did because I didn’t have the blogger account. You can sign up with your regular google password in a few seconds. You can have that blogger account for commenting without having to have a blog or do anything but comment with it. Just FYI. I’d love to hear from anyone with ideas to share.
Happy Friday!!!
Sarah Magallano says
If it makes you feel any better, my Promethean Board is sitting up in the office. They are supposed install it on Friday. I finally got my reading curriculum today! Good thing, because we start using it on Monday!
Mercedes Hutchens says
I can teach without a board but at least I have my curriculum!
Wendy P says
Hi Mercedes,
I have had a "Smartboard" for a few years but I do not use it during transitions. The kids touch and mess with it while transitioning which drives me CRAZY! So my Smartboard projector is off during transitions. I LOVE your idea about playing the multiplication facts songs though. My 4th & 5th graders have issues memorizing them and songs may be the ticket. I may just show them the song and then during transitions let them listen to it (No video). I mainly use my Smartboard as an interactive chalkboard, projector and for games. I hope you get yours put up soon. Having the technology but not being able to use it can be frustrating.
Wendy
Mercedes Hutchens says
Thanks for the heads up, Wendy! It's good for me to be aware of issues that haven't occurred to me (or them) yet. Before it goes up, I can set clear expectations for when it is up and try to stop them from developing bad habits.
I'm hoping the multiplication songs will help. We've been multiplying multi-digit numbers and it seems they have regrouping down, but so many sit there counting multiplication on their fingers. I'm giving them the same mental math problems I gave them in second grade! We have a few times where we wait in line on the playground for someone and ive been playing Around the Line (around the world) with them to try to get them to study. I also just downloaded the WBT math facts practice. Once I get that going, I'll post about it.
Caitlyn Delaney says
Enjoy! I've never heard of an eno board but I'm sure they're all kind of the same. You got me wondering what the name is for all of them that's not brand-specific. I think it's "interactive white board."
-Caitlyn
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