Six Word Story

Students summarize what they see or read using only six words

This student learning strategy supports summarizing by asking you to use an image or an article as the basis for a story that conveys a big idea using only six words.

Watch this short video about the strategy.

Make a copy of the teacher guide and graphic organizer for the strategy.

Bonus: Tired of Kahoot and Quizzalize? Try Wordwall to find or create multiple new games with one word set. Try this game "Glue or Tape: Which is Stronger" to see what it looks like.

Literacy in the Classroom

It can be tough to get students to write about their thinking. Below are some tips to help guide your students in the writing process. Also, remind them it is okay to make mistakes because that is part of the learning process.

1. Having too general a topic can frustrate students. Instead of "Write about a joyous moment." use:
• Think about the last time you felt happy or joyful.
• Describe the reasons for your happiness.
•  What exactly made you feel joy?
• What can that feeling be compared to?
2. Use graphic organizers to help students organize their thinking before they write.
3. Have them work in 10-15 minute chunks and then change it up to keep them from getting bored and off task.
4. Create a check list for students of what you expect them to write or say.
5. Give them a prop by having them describe an image of a math problem or science experiment.
6. Use Infographics to teach literacy

Read the following articles for more information to help students with literacy.

Resources: Edutopia Literacy, Edutopia Math  , Edutopia Infographic Literacy

Fun Tip - You can use your Google Forms in Quizalize

Easy Tips to keep your lesson agenda on time

"Are the results I am expecting aligned with the habits I am following each day?" James Clear, Author of Atomic Habits.

When you expect to complete the lesson agenda on time; use the following habits to keep you on track.

1. Use a timer

1. Classroom Screen

2. Online Stopwatches

3. Teacherstack (great for stations activities)

2. Appoint a timekeeper
3. Delegate tasks to students such as handing out paper as you continue with the agenda
4. Plan activities in 10 to 15 minute chunks
5. For an 80 minute class plan for 65-70 minutes
• allows for transitions between activities
• gives you 5 minutes at the end of the class for clean up
6. Limit off-task conversations
7. Limit needy students who take up too much of your time

BONUS: PBS Teacher's Lounge: Filter Content by standards.

Professional Development - Updated Calendar and Sessions

Professional Development

Help your students succeed

Professional Development courses give you skills you can use immediately, but more importantly it will help you grow professionally over time. Investing in yourself as an educator will also help your students. The more professional development teachers get, the more likely students are to succeed. "NEA - Why Professional Development Matters".

The next Session is on Jan 12, 2023  "Classroom Management".

See the Falling Creek Middle School Professional Development Calendar and sign up for the course(s) of your choice. 

Welcome 2023 🎇 With easy Google Draw

Students process information differently and when they create something digitally, it is more meaningful and stays with them better than just having them fill in the blanks.

• Using Google Draw is simple
• Downloadable as an image or PDF
• The gray area is usable for notes, links and images as well
• The gray area will not be downloaded as part of the image
• Use shapes instead of text boxes
• Make templates for students
• Venn Diagram
• KWL Chart
• Mind Map
• Image to label/define
• Math manipulatives

Click here for more tips and tricks on using Google Draw in the classroom.

More templates & ideas from Eric Curts