Drop Everything And Draw!
School starts at 8:20 and our grade level has to be at our Resource Class {PE, Music & Technology} at 8:30. So that gives us about 8 minutes of homeroom a day, 40 minutes a week, 160 minutes a month.....well, you get the picture. It can be crazy or it can be calm, what I decide to do sets the tone for the day.
So ~ each day we start off with DEAR, Drop Everything And Read. Sure, it is an old expression, some of you young-cute-fresh-out-of-college-new-teachers might have even done DEAR when you were in elementary school! But it is one that works!
My students come in quietly, well mannered and prepared to start their work day calmly!
But Friday, well Friday is a different story. My co-teacher last year started this and I ♥love, ♥love, ♥love it. If everyone has been a good citizen during homeroom during the week we have a DEAD FRIDAY! We Drop Everything And Draw! They love it, they think the title is hysterical! They can even get out of their assigned seats and sit with friends. It makes the rest of the week wonderful, all I need is one person to not have a book or start being silly and I say, "Do we need to kill DEAD Friday?" They love that expression too, but it works, they get right back to reading due to the positive peer pressure of their classmates who want a DEAD Friday!
It works! It works! It works! Try it, you might like it!
I love your blog. (I'm a newer follower) I've heard of DEAR but have seen anyone doing it. I would like to try it and I'm glad it's worked for you! Students need so much reading time and this is a good, simple idea to squeeze it in to our hectic days. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome Sarah! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I ran over to your blog, I'm now following you, I teach math twice a day to 3rd grade at a Title I school so I'm really looking forward to your posts since you just started. New teachers always have the most wonderful ideas! I also headed over to TN and I'm your first follower! Yea! I would love for you to follow me there and at TPT too!
ReplyDelete~Fern
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Love this! My kids beg me to draw. The would be a great way to incorporate it!
ReplyDeleteMs. Smith
The Adventures of Ms. Smith
Perfect way to spend those extra minutes! I love changing it up on Friday and what kid wouldn't get a kick out of a DEAD day! So smart. Love your blog. I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your 11 in 11! I'm following you everywhere now and Mr. Bubblegum too!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming to my blog!
Happy New Year,
~Fern
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Love, love, love this! We do DEAR and our kiddos would love Dead Friday! We will definitely be using this idea this year. Thanks for sharing! We are new followers and would love if you want to visit us sometime!
ReplyDeleteKatie&Lisen
wearesecondgradesmartypants.blogspot.com
So glad you like it! Thanks for coming over and leaving a comment! I'm now your 100th Follower! Cute Blog!
Delete~Fern
oh, my kids would love this Fern! Thanks for sharing this terrific idea!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I can't wait to use it - school starts in 2 weeks - I plan to implement this right away. I also love the poster you are showing - is that one you display in your classroom? I would LOVE a copy of that!
ReplyDeleteJoy, it was one of my first times making graphics. I was just making it for the blog! It is only about 2 inches by 2 inches for the blog, I'm so happy you like it.
Delete~Fern
This is such a great idea! We do "Success Club" on Fridays for students who earn it through good behavior. This would be ideal! Thanks so much for sharing it, Fern!
DeleteLinda
AroundtheKampfire
You're welcome, thanks for sharing too. ~Fern :)
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