Teaching Aids for Teachers

The year is winding down and I know most teachers are not thinking about what they will do differently next year. They are probably just trying to close this year up and feel somewhat successful. I have found in my years of teaching that it is helpful in your plans to write down what worked and what didn't while it is still fresh in your mind. That way when you do return to it later on the next year, you will remember if it was a successful lesson or not. Constantly be looking for teaching aids for teachers. You will find that when you are in the dollar store this summer or at Walmart in a small town visiting family that there are many things you can find to make your classroom more successful! Keep an eye out for new ways to bring life to your classroom and to your teaching. Well done this year, looking forward to new things next year. That is why we are all teachers, isn't it? We don't like for things to be the same - change is fun and healthy! Have a great summer!

Teaching Math to Kids

A lot of children do not like Math. It could be for various reasons but most of the time it is because they do not understand it and feel it is "beating" them. When you are teaching math to kids, make sure to keep that in mind. I remember my dad getting so frustrated when I didn't understand something in math. Now that I actually teach it, I understand his frustration but I also understand that every child learns a bit differently.

Try to have various ways to explain something in your classroom when presenting a new mathematical concept and when teaching math to kids. For example: hands on items, games, seeing the math concept in real life examples, and even having them act it out. These are different learning styles that will enable most children to learn a new math concept. Granted, this is not a cure all and since we didn't go in to specifics here, I understand you still may be frustrated like my dad! Don't give up, keep showing them the same concept over and over again in different ways and you will be surprised when one day it clicks!