November is off and running! Can you believe that we are almost to thanksgiving? I don't know about you, but this year is going by fast for me! As the vibrant hues of autumn paint the landscape and the chill of November settles in, teachers find themselves navigating the school year. November is a month where students are getting ready for break, teachers start feeling the NEED for a break, and everyone is ready for warmer weather again. Well unless you have warm weather year round, most of us are stuck in the cold for a while!
Anyways… I know this month students get a little ancy (I am going to run with that word haha) so I wanted to give you some encouragement and ideas of what you can do with your class!
Using Seasonal Themes for Learning
Take advantage of the change in nature. Use this to get students interested in what they are learning. By nature children are interested in what is around them, so use that to your advantage. Explore the science behind fall foliage, delve into the history and significance of Thanksgiving, or read through autumn-inspired texts. Here are some other ideas for you!
Create your own Thanksgiving
Have your students draw or write all about their DREAM thanksgiving! What foods they would want, the decorations, who they would want to be there and whatever other touches they want! If you are in an elementary classroom students can draw a picture and write several sentences to go with it. If you are in 3rd-5th Grade students can simply write all about their dream thanksgiving.
Thankful Pumpkin
Create a thankful pumpkin by writing what students are thankful for on a pumpkin. Each morning you can ask students what they are thankful for. As you go through the month, the pumpkin becomes more and more filled with things your class is thankful for!
STEM Activity
Build a tower with candy corn pumpkins and toothpicks or use popsicle sticks to build a tower that holds candy corn! Make it a challenge and have certificates for students who have the tallest tower, most creative display, sturdiest, and more!
This is the one you are really going to want! This is a WHOLE class activity! Students solve math problems (there is an option with no math problems as well) and then they discover a coloring code. Each student gets one or two coloring pages and they use the coloring code to color in the pieces of the picture. Once all 30 pieces are colored you can put it all together to make a HUGE bulletin board display!
Cultivating a Culture of Care
November can also be a time of heightened emotions and stress for students as they really get into the groove of their classroom. Create a supportive classroom environment where students feel seen, heard, and valued. Take the time to check in with individual students, giving them support and encouragement as needed.
Reflecting on Progress and Growth
As the midpoint of the school year approaches, November provides an opportune moment for reflection and assessment. Take stock of students' progress towards learning goals and objectives, celebrating achievements and identifying areas for further growth. It is also so important to do this before students go away on their holiday breaks. Give them the opportunity to show what they know prior to leaving for a couple weeks. By fostering a growth mindset and a culture of continuous improvement, teachers empower students continue learning more and more!
I hope that your November is filled with gratitude and fun!
Happy Teaching!
Alyssa
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