Kathleen and I started "The Classroom Cafe" to really push ourselves to think outside the box and share what worked (or didn't) through the website. We hoped that by challenging ourselves professionally we would have a positive impact not only on the teaching and learning environment in our classroom but most importantly on student achievement. We wanted to go beyond the expected and bring a sense of wonderment and excitement into the content. (Okay, I know, I am waxing poetic... when basically, as teachers, we just wanted to have fun and we wanted the kids to want to be in class:)
Last week, we hosted a PD session that featured our most OUT THERE idea yet (way out... even for us!!!) The professional development was focused on activities for kinesthetic learners, so we stumbled onto Lessons that Glow quite by accident. We were inspired by one of the activities that used something like a Dance, Dance Revolution mat to practice and assess learning. We thought, "Can you show off DDR without black lights and music thumping?" Umm...not and get the full effect. So, as we were planning the PD, we went on a tangent and decided to share only strategies using things that would glow under the black light! (Disclaimer: The same strategies would be just as effective with the lights on, but they were, oh, so fun in the dark.)
In this week's video, we share the details of using highlighters and playdoh in a whole new way. I used the ideas in my math class the next day (read more about here). I promise, the ideas are "Kid Tested and Teacher Approved":)
Last week, we hosted a PD session that featured our most OUT THERE idea yet (way out... even for us!!!) The professional development was focused on activities for kinesthetic learners, so we stumbled onto Lessons that Glow quite by accident. We were inspired by one of the activities that used something like a Dance, Dance Revolution mat to practice and assess learning. We thought, "Can you show off DDR without black lights and music thumping?" Umm...not and get the full effect. So, as we were planning the PD, we went on a tangent and decided to share only strategies using things that would glow under the black light! (Disclaimer: The same strategies would be just as effective with the lights on, but they were, oh, so fun in the dark.)
In this week's video, we share the details of using highlighters and playdoh in a whole new way. I used the ideas in my math class the next day (read more about here). I promise, the ideas are "Kid Tested and Teacher Approved":)