Looking at November

I'm looking at the calendar, and I just can't believe we're approaching November already! 

A lot happens in November, but there's no need to fear; I've got your teaching needs covered!

 

Here are a couple of resources to start off November: 

 

This one is on the popular Boom Learning platform:

November Facts Boom Learning

 

These daily writing or oral language prompts are perfect for morning meeting, or daily writing!

 November Morning Meeting Greeting Activities

Make your life easier by sending home these monthly communication brochures:

Parent Communication Brochures - November Edition

This is one of my favorite November resources: Science and Social Studies Activities for November!

Remember Election Day!

I'm sure I'll have the kiddos vote for something, but they won't be voting for president. It's far too controversial! This one's fun! (and free!)  Election Day Graphing Option for Little Kids

  Veteran's Day is November 11th! 

Here's a fun activity to help the children understand what a Veteran really is! This will spark some great conversations!  Veterans True or False

Here's another fun resource to help children learn about Veterans! (On the fun Boom Learning platform!) Armed Services Fun Facts

Once they figure out what Veterans are, they can use this freebie to write thank you notes to them. Thank You, Veterans!

Since Election Day and Veterans Day are both Patriotic holidays, enjoy these Patriotic Brain Breaks! See the image for the link to this freebie! Patriotic Brain Breaks

Of course, everyone's favorite November holiday is Thanksgiving! Check out these Thanksgiving Printables!

Do your students know the +9 trick? (It's just one less than the +10!) Here's a math game to practice +9s! Turkey Nines  (Oh my goodness, they LOVE this game! It works like "Old Maid")

And guess what... there's a freebie (easier) version!  Turkey Nines Freebie!

Want more turkeys? This little bundle includes more turkey learning fun, (including the Thanksgiving Turkey game) at a huge discount!

I hope you find something your students will love for the month of November!

Five Reasons NOT to Reward Students

Many teachers love to reward their students for doing a good job on their classwork. 

 

 

I have mixed feelings about this, and here are some reason why.

Rewards can make behavior and work habits worse in the long run. Simple rewards can certainly motivate children to work harder, but once the reward is gone, the motivation stops. Behaviors and work habits go downhill fast once the children have been rewarded. "Why should I read if I'm not earning a prize?"

Rewards cost money. Teachers don't have a lot of money. 

Rewards give the wrong impression. Good behavior is what's expected. Giving rewards makes good behavior an extra effort worth of a prize. It's almost like turning good behavior into a job, with a paycheck as the prize. 

Rewards lead to entitlement. Children develop a sense of entitlement for simply doing what is expected. Unfortunately, this leads to adults who feel entitled simply for showing up at work. 

Learning is its own reward. Students need to be developing a sense of pride in what they do. That is the true reward! Feeling good about working hard for something is a wonderful feeling! Taking pride in a project done well, or a successful test is a prize within itself. 

Despite all these reasons, I won't say that rewards should never be used. There are some children that need that extra motivation in order to be successful. Some children have behavioral challenges or educational challenges that make school very hard. In these cases, rewards should be used carefully.