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My name is Steve Reifman, and I am a National Board Certified elementary school teacher, author, and speaker in Santa Monica, CA.
SteveReifman.com is a resource for elementary school teachers and parents. My mission is to teach the whole child—empowering students to succeed academically, build strong character, learn valuable work habits and social skills, and take charge of their health and wellness.
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Chase Manning Mystery Series
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The “Ticket to Lunch†strategy offers a quick, easy way to assess students informally. Though it is called “Ticket to Lunch,†this idea can also be used before recess, at the end of the school day, or any other time when students are about to leave the classroom.
This Teaching Tip is the fourth in my new “Starting the School Year in Style†series.
In previous years I have usually waited until our school’s annual Parent Conferences in mid-November to meet with parents for the first time. This approach worked well because I had a couple months to get to know the children as individuals before discussing their progress with their families.
Recently, I have tried a more proactive approach, and the benefits have been substantial.
This Teaching Tip is the third in my new “Starting the School Year in Style†series.
On the back wall of my classroom, I have set aside a large rectangular space for students to display their favorite pieces of work. In this area, known as the “Display Case,†the students each have their own spots that are roughly 15†by 15.†While the idea of displaying student work on a classroom wall is certainly not a new one, there are two aspects of this suggestion that I believe offer a different twist on how work is traditionally shown.
This Teaching Tip is the second in my new “Starting the School Year in Style†series.
A Back to School Night presentation is like the State of the Union address the President delivers to the nation at the beginning of each year. It is a chance to speak with a sense of optimism and articulate a compelling vision of the upcoming year. Because your presentation provides such a strong introduction to the school year, it is important to have as many parents there to hear it as possible. Do whatever you can to maximize turnout.
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