Listening Skills: Listen & Draw, E.S.L., Sub Plans, Inside Recess, R.T.I., Parent-Teacher Conferences, & More!

How do you teach promote active listening? Before you can effectively teach procedures and academic skills, your students need to listen and attend to what you are saying.  Do you have a "Listen Larry"?

• After going over the directions of an assignment, you can always count on "Listen Larry" to raise his hand or come to your desk because he has no idea what he is supposed to do.
• "Listen Larry" often turns in assignments that are missing important details, details that you emphasized in your directions.
• "Listen Larry" is usually the last one to line up at recess.  Sometimes you even have to send a student to find him because he doesn't hear the whistle that you use to tell your class to line up.
• At clean up time, "Listen Larry" will continue working in his center.  Often a classmate has to tap him on the shoulder to tell him that it is time to stop.

There are different reasons for poor listening skills.  I have compiled a Pinterest board of blog posts with tips and research about listening skills.  

Click HERE to check out my A+ Listening Skills Pinterest board.

Last year, I wrote a blog post with a listening activity to show what I did at the beginning of the year.  Teachers emailed me asking for more of these listen and draw activities.  I now have a series of Listen and Draw activities that you can use throughout the year.  Plus a FREEBIE for you try. 

I have a new type of Listen & Draw packet that has CVC words for the theme.  This is a great way to work on reading skills and promote active listening at the same time.

You can differentiate the writing assignment of this activity. I recommend doing this as a teacher directed activity in the beginning.  You may want to introduce this in a small group setting if your class has a wide range of abilities.  You can give different groups different expectations for the writing assignment portion of the activity.  There is an extra writing page included for your students who are ready to write a paragraph or story about the picture.

You can add technology to this, too with a listening center. Once your students are comfortable with the format, you can record the directions, ask a parent volunteer, or drama department at your local high school if there is a student who is interested in doing this for you.  Students are often looking for community service opportunities.

After each step, either pause to give students time to do the work or use some type of noise maker like a bell or xylophone.  Tell your students to push the “stop” button when he/she hears the sound.  Push the “go” button after he/she follows the directions and is ready for the next step.  

All of the Listen and Draw packets have a sign with the directions when you use this as a teacher directed activity.  It is helpful to hang it up as a reminder.

I added another sign for directions if you use it this as a listening center in the CVC Word packet.  You can have this a copy of it, too. Click HERE for this FREEBIE.

This can be used many different ways.  

EMERGENCY SUB PLANS:  Great activity for your sub.
R.T.I. DOCUMENTATION:  Shows proof of listening skills and writing skills growth over time for R.T.I.
INSIDE RECESS - FRIDAY FUN DAY:  Students will love the art part of these activities.  You will love the fact that your students are quiet so they can listen to the directions.
E.S.L. / E.L.L. teachers love these activities! 

Great way to teach prepositions, too!

Add these to your seasonal plans.  There are Listen & seasonal Draw packets plus one that can be used at any time of the year and the CVC words themed one.

THE DETAILS:
Go over the directions and then hang the sign as a reminder. This is an easy prep activity. The only supplies your students will need are the assignment, crayons, and a pencil.

Each Listen & Draw packets includes 
12 Listen and Draw activities with a different theme.  For each activity there is:
-Teacher direction page
-Blackline student page

-Colorful page showing what the art portion of the listening activity could look like.  Art work answers may vary.

You can also add these listening skills lessons to your students' portfolios.  They are great documentation and useful at parent-teacher conferences.

These can also be used for RTI.

This is the original packet.  The lessons in this packet can be used at any time of the year.

Original: Listen & Draw.  

Would you like to try a FREE sample?  Click on the picture below.

I have other Listen and Draw packets.

CVC Words theme

Click HERE to check it out.

Fall theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Christmas theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Winter theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Spring theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Summer theme

Click HERE to check it out.

Bundle: includes all except for the Christmas packet. 

Click HERE to check out the bundle.

 I plan to make holiday themed packets this year and will make a bundle of them at the end of the year.

How do you teach listening skills?

Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE.
Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.

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Listening Skills: Classroom Management, RTI, ESL, and more!

Listening skills are so important!  Before you can effectively teach procedures and academic skills, your students need to listen and attend to what you are saying. 

Last year, I wrote a blog post with a listening activity to show what I did at the beginning of the year.  Teachers emailed me asking for more of these listen and draw activities.  I now have a series of Listen and Draw activities that you can use throughout the year.  Plus a FREEBIE for you try.

DIFFERENTIATION
I recommend doing this as a teacher directed activity in the beginning.  You may want to introduce this in a small group setting if your class has a wide range of abilities.  You can give different groups different expectations for the writing assignment portion of the activity.  There is an extra writing page included for your students who are ready to write a paragraph or story about the picture.

TECHNOLOGY CONNECTION
Once your students are comfortable with the format, you can record the directions or ask a parent volunteer to do it for you.  Or ask the drama department at your local middle school or high school if there is a student who is interested in doing this for you.  Students are often looking for community service opportunities.

After each step, either pause to give students time to do the work or use some type of noise maker like a bell or xylophone.  Tell your students to push the “stop” button when he/she hears the sound.  Push the “go” button after he/she follows the directions and is ready for the next step.  

MANY USES:
This can be used many different ways.  
WRITING CENTER: Record the directions and set it up as a center.
EMERGENCY SUB PLANS:  Great activity for your sub.
R.T.I. DOCUMENTATION:  Great way to show proof of listening skills growth over time for R.T.I.
INSIDE RECESS - FRIDAY FUN DAY:  Students will love the art part of these activities.  You will love the fact that your students are quiet so they can listen to the directions.
E.S.L. / E.L.L.:   E.S.L. / E.L.L. teachers have left some very nice feedback.  They said it worked great with their students.  

Great way to teach prepositions, too!

Go over the directions and then hang the sign in the graphic above as a reminder.  This is an easy prep activity. The only supplies your students will need are the assignment, crayons, and a pencil.

Each Listen & Draw packets includes 
12 Listen and Draw activities with a different theme.  For each activity there is:
-Teacher direction page
-Blackline student page

-Colorful page showing what the art portion of the listening activity could look like.  Art work answers may vary.

This lesson is from the first packet that I made.  It can be used at any time of the year.  Many of the topics are school related so they are perfect for Back to School time.  Or add these lessons to your sub plans or do them at your next inside recess.

You can also add these listening skills lessons to your students' portfolios.  They are great documentation and useful at parent-teacher conferences.

These can also be used for RTI.

I have gotten great feedback from ESL teachers!

The lessons in the pictures above are from this Listen & Draw.  

Would you like to try a FREE sample?  Click on the picture below.

I have other Listen and Draw packets.

Fall theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Christmas theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Winter theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Spring theme

Click HERE to check this out.

Summer theme

Click HERE to check it out.

Bundle: includes all except for the Christmas packet. 

Click HERE to check out the bundle.

 I plan to make holiday themed packets this year and will make a bundle of them at the end of the year.

How do you teach listening skills?

Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE.
Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.

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Inside Recess: Weather and Spring Theme

Melting snow and slush followed by spring showers means it is time for mud season.  It also means you are at your wit's end when it comes to activities for inside recess, right? Would you like to try something new, that will hold your students' attention and keep them quiet at the same time?  

My students have always loved to paint with water colors. Integrate science with this activity by playing weather sounds while your students paint.  Tell them to paint what they are visualizing in their mind when they hear the music.  Below are some videos you can use.

Click HERE for rainy sounds video.

Click HERE for thunderstorm sounds video.

Click HERE for wind sounds video.

Click HERE for bird sounds video.

Management tips:

• Ahead of time get a pitcher of water.  Get two pitchers if you have a large class.

• Have one volunteer pass out paper to the class.  I like to use white construction paper.  I usually cut the large sheet of paper in half.
• Tell your students to write their names on their paper and then turn the paper over.   Their name will be on the back of the painting.
• Have another volunteer pass out a cup or bowl that will be used for water.  I usually put one between every two students.
• Have another volunteer pass out a paper towel.  Give one to each student.  Some students like to dry their brush after dipping it in the water.
• Tell your students to get out their water colors.  Make sure everyone has a brush.  I usually purchase a packet of brushes at Dollar Tree in case someone has lost their brush.
• Once everyone is ready, I explain the directions for today's activity (listening to the video and painting what they visualize).  Students are not allowed to talk during this activity because everyone needs to be allowed to hear the video and let their creative juices flow.  :)
• I also tell them that they only get one piece of paper. They need to take their time and do their best.  When they finish, they will sit quietly until the painting time is over.
• When everyone is ready and understand the expectations and directions, I pour a small amount of water in the bowl or cup.

Sometimes they paint while I play music.  When I do this, I have them fold their paper so it has 4 rectangles.  I play 4 different types of music.  They paint in different squares when I change music.  This is great activity to hang up on your bulletin board.  I love all of the colors and designs. 

What do you do for inside recess?

Be sure and check out my Brain Break Pinterest board for ideas that you can use when your students need to get up and move. Click on the picture below.

Fern has a few tips to share with you, too.  Hop over to her blog!

Each week, Fern and I will share a teacher tip. We love to read teacher blogs and the latest teacher idea books and hope you do, too!  Stop by Fern's blog and my blog each week for our latest tips.  We hope you will share your ideas, too.  

Looking for more ideas?  Click on the pictures below.

An InLinkz Link-up

Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE. Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.

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Dr. Seuss - Cat in the Hat Giveaway, FREEBIE, and Resources

One of my favorite ways to look for new ideas for lessons is to do a little shopping.  I was at Hobby Lobby and Party City last week when I saw some stuff that I thought would be perfect for a Dr. Seuss unit.  I know many teachers have plans for Dr. Seuss since it will soon be time for Read Across America.  The best thing about my shopping trip is one lucky teacher will win all of the fun stuff I found.  

Many of your students are familiar with the book, The Cat in the Hat.  It is a book that many parents read to their children before they go to school.  Why not introduce the book and your Dr. Seuss unit a new way?  I love to use feely bags.  Feely bags get volunteers up and moving to feel what is in the bag.  With the weather and inside recesses, you are probably looking for some activities with movement, right? Allow volunteers to put their hands in the bag, feel the object, describe it (great for enforcing your lesson about adjectives), and guess what is in the bag.  You can even have several different bags - maybe even set up a station with them.  Many of the objects in The Cat in the Hat are objects you have at home or in the classroom.  I found some fun ones on my shopping trip which I will mail to the winner of the giveaway.  In the picture is a hat, house, wooden box, ship/boat, and milk.  

The winner will also get a Cat in the Hat bulletin board set, border, children's wearable hats (30), 36 paper cutout hats, stickers, and Cat in the Hat fabric.  I give suggestions for using the fabric in the FREEBIE I made today.  You can also use the fabric as background on a bulletin board.

All of these fun things inspired me to make a new packet of cat themed lessons.  

 Rhyme Climb is a new activity that will save you time.  All you need to do is make one copy for each student in your class.  You can differentiate the assignment with the 9 extension cards included.  You can see 3 of the cards in the picture above.  I explained this differentiation system HERE.

Here is a larger picture of a Rhyme Climb assignment.

Students will practice making real and nonsense centers with the Sentence Shuffle Fluency Center.  I like to use green and red puff balls that students put where the sentence begins and ends.  There is also an extension assignment.  Students will record some the sentences that they made on one of the 3 recording sheets.  There are 3 different ones so you can differentiate.  I also more Fluency Centers for grades K-5.

You can also set up these fluency centers as file folder games.  These work great when you have a small classroom or use them with your early finishers.  I have used them when I assess my students at report card time.  Click HERE to read my tips.

Use the mini book with your Guided Reading group or small group.  Then send it home for homework.

My students have always enjoyed playing charades.  It is another one of those activities that gets them up and moving.  You can also play it at inside recess.  There are 12 picture cards included with the ABC order center.  

• Put the pictures in a sack.  Let a volunteer pick a card and then act it out.  The volunteer will call on 2 people to ask the volunteer QUESTIONS.  You need to emphasize the QUESTION part.  They are not guessing the answer.  They will ask a question about what the person is acting out.Students will write down their answer on a piece of paper or white board.  This helps with the blurting out problem.  They will ask a question about what the person is acting out.
• Example:  If the person was acting out reading a book, a student might ask the volunteer "is this something that you can do at school?"
•  Draw a name from your popsicle cup or however your choose volunteers to act out the next picture.  Once again students will ask 2 questions.

You can set this up as a center or use it as seat work.  There are 2 interactive journal printables included.  Students will read a Dr. Seuss book or a cat book for the Beginning, Middle, and End assignment.  The Cat Fact assignment is an easy way to add an informational text lesson to your plans.

Click HERE if you'd like to read more about this packet. 

Giveaway Guidelines:

• February 20 - 25
• Winner will be announced on my Facebook page on February 25th.  
• The winner will have 24 hours to email me his/her address to claim the prize.
• If I don't hear from the winner, I will choose another one.  So, watch my Facebook page closely.
• You will need to comment or like my posts from time to time in order to see them in your newsfeed, too.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Sources to make my blog post graphics can be found HERE. Click HERE to read my blog's disclosure statement.

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