In this technology-driven era when they world can seem so small, with important events of the world available to us (and our students) 24/7, understanding how the world works is of the utmost importance.
So it goes without saying that the brunt of instructing kids on events of importance happening around the world falls often on the shoulders of their teachers. With that enormous task at hand, today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned educator based in Upstate New York, takes a look at some classroom games designed to introduce kids to the seven areas of land that populate the world.
Janelle’s ideas include:
- Hiding a Stone
- The Snake
- And More!
Janelle sums upper her article thusly: “These are just three examples of the types of intercontinental games that you can play in your classroom, to help solidly any new information that is cross-cultural. Playing these games will help reinforce any new knowledge that is learned, and they are a fun way to get your students excited about learning new things!”
Do you have any fun international games that you play in your classroom?
Classroom Overcrowding: It’s Not Just a Numbers Game
In my nearly 20 years teaching in my district, we’ve had several occasions to protest, trying to make our board of education sit up and take notice. One button read “Grossmont Students Lose With Class Size of 34 to One.” It’s black printing on a bright yellow button. I have it pinned to my bulletin board.
Now, I’d give almost anything to have 34 students in my classroom. This year, I have 40 in every single section (that’s five sections … 200 kids.) I’m sure one or two may drop eventually, but it’s October, and so far, nobody’s jumped shipped.
When I tell colleagues that I have 40 students per section, the first reaction is disbelief. Surely I’ve counted wrong? No, afraid not.
In my son’s elementary school, things aren’t much better. He is in third grade, and has 30 little souls in his classroom. Two teachers share the contract for his classroom, and they do an outstanding job. Still, handling 30 8-year-olds is a feat, and trying to teach them something? Well, miracles happen every day.
With this disturbing trend, schools, teachers and most importantly students are learning the devastating effects of overcrowded classrooms.
