In my 1st-3rd grade class, we have been learning about the 50 United States.  Today, our state was Kentucky!  Not much exciting going on there, it seems.  So, we tried to have our own “Kentucky Derby!”  That’s right, hats and all!  The boys were the “racing horses,” and we girls were the fans…cheering from underneath our gorgeous hats!

The idea is basic.  Take a piece of paper and fold it so that either side meets in the middle, forming something of a window.  On one side, the kids must write a word like “snow.”  They should also draw a picture illustrating that word.  Another word, like “ball,” should be written on the other folding flap.  A picture of that word should be drawn, as well.  Finally, the inside of the folded paper should be a compilation of the two words.  In this case, the compound word would be “snowball.”  Of course, a picture should be drawn of that word as well.

This gives the kids practice with putting words together.  It also helps them to see that the compound words must be composed of two other individual words, not just two syllables.

Below are some examples of this project.

TREE + HOUSE = TREEHOUSE

MOTOR + BOAT = MOTORBOAT

Supplies:  One treasure chest (small to medium size), one pirate poster, candy, one key (optional).

Motivation:  Individual and Team Motivation

Description:  Divide the students into two or more teams.  (The teams can be given “pirate-y” names – Buccanneers, Blackbeard’s Men, etc.)  Set a level of accomplishment to be reached, such as an A, B, 100%.  Tell the students that a piece of ”bounty” (candy) will be placed into the treasure chest for every A or B received by any person.  A 100% will merit a larger piece of “bounty” (candy).

A poster will be helpful to post the running averages for each team. This can be made fairly easily on a regular poster board. The face of the board should be colored light brown (with chalk, preferably). The edges can be carefully burnt or torn. (If torn, color around the edges with a dark brown chalk or marker.) After lamination, the “treasure map” poster can be used for this contest and as a regular poster.

After the prescribed length of time has passed, the winning team will be the one with the highest grade average for the contest time.  They will be awarded the “key” for the treasure chest.  They will be allowed to divide the “treasure” among themselves.

Variations: Of course the team names can be altered. A “key” is not necessary for the contest. It only adds some treasure flavor.

Also, the motivation could be altered for another area of improvement. For example, “bounty” can be added for every correctly answered question, timely speed writing practice or speed drill, or any other area that needs improvement.

Background:  Dark Blue or Black

Border:  White – A wider bulletin board is preferable, but not necessary.

Description:  This is our “General Information” Bulletin board.  I post the monthly calendar, a riddle, quotes, points to ponder, and/or a minute mystery. 

Of course, this can be modified to fit any need, but as it is, this stands as a general decoration board.

I had the children in my 1st & 3rd grade classes make the snowflakes.  I made some as well.  Surprisingly, the snowflakes turned out very well!

Get your students to do good work in Writing class with this motivational idea.  This will promote more sustained and consistent effort from the younger students during their writing class.  As a teacher, you will reap the wonderful reward of seeing your students work hard for the prize.  Besides that, the light in their eyes as they try to win is amazing!

 Materials:  Small treat to be used as a reward.

Description:  Tell the students at the beginning of their Writing class that you will be looking for great work!  When you see a student write a good letter or word, you will move the treat to their desk.  However, they may not eat it right away.  If you see a good letter or word on another student’s paper, move the treat to their desk.  At the end, the treat goes to the student whose desk it landed on.

Application:  This will encourage effort from all students, especially those who do not always win. 

Variations:  This could be adapted for any class or grade.  However, it seems to work best with the lower levels as they have more trouble with maintaining good effort for a longer period of time.  Also, Writing class is generally the least enjoyed, so this will “kill two birds with one stone.”

This splendid motivational idea was developed by my grandma (aka. Nana)…third grade teacher for 40 YEARS! 

Theme:  Car Racing

Application:  Can be adjusted to fit any area where motivation is needed, particularly where there are several levels of accomplishment to reach.

Description:  You will want to set a muli-tiered goal for the students to reach.  At the first level, they will receive a “driver’s license.”  With the help of a computer, you can easily create a mock driver’s license, including the student’s picture.  Laminating the “license” will add to the believability of the card.  Children of all ages like to have a picture ID of some kind to carry around with them.   

The next level will merit them a race car.  You can get Hot Wheels cars for relatively cheap.  For variation, the larger wooden cars would be fun to race. 

Finally, the kids will be excited to race their cars.  You may want to let them race at lunch/break time.  To add another level of accomplishment, the students who do the best on a given day could be entered into the races for that day.  At any rate, there are several ways to hold your races.  It would be fun to simply have a starting line on the gym floor and see whose car could go the farthest or the fastest.  If you know someone who is handy with woodworking, you might get them to make a track for you with a raised beginning line.  Some form of lever could release the cars.  The first car to pass the Finish Line would obviously be the winner.  Whichever way you choose to race the cars, be sure to have someone drop the checkered flag to begin the races!

Example:  Students who learn their multiplication tables receive their driver’s license.  Those who learn their division tables will be allowed to pick their own car.  Finally, those who do the best on the Speed Drills for that day will be entered into the races for the day!

Variations:

Title:  “The Starting Line”

Theme: 

A Picture is Worth…

Picture This!

Materials: 

Background and border can be chosen at teacher’s discretion.  Lighter background colors will emphasize the substance of the board better.

You will need a large, but basic, picture frame.  A simple wooden frame from Wal-Mart (without the glass) will suffice.

One piece of posterboard.

You will need the pictures from an old calendar, and other pictures from places like magazines, newspapers, etc.  (National Geographic is a very good source for pictures.)

Description:

Preparation:  First, you will want to cut the posterboard to size so that it will fit in the picture frame. 

From there, decide how big the title can be, as it needs to fit on the resized posterboard and within the picture frame. 

Next, cut the letters of your title out of the calendar pictures, and paste them onto the poster board. 

The magazine/newspaper pictures only need to be trimmed around the edges for neatness.

Presentation:  Of course, the background and border should be laid first.  After that, it’s simple!  Place the picture frame with the title in the center of the bulletin board.

Pictures should be given to the students to write about.  They can write a simple paragraph about the picture.  Another idea is to have the students write a narrative telling what happened just before or after their picture was taken.  It is also fun to have the students bring in a picture of themselves and write about it. 

After the students have written their papers, both the papers and pictures can be placed on the board around the center frame. 

Variations:

Pictures of the students can be taken and placed on the board without papers, as well.  This can be used as more of a picture board than a good paper board, if necessary.