Classroom Chalk Boards

Classroom Chalk Boards instead of White Boards 

First off - the credit must be paid to Kim Sutton, a math coach and owner Creative Mathematics, who I have learned a tremendous amount from.  In her training she showed us how to make these.  This is also where I learned why students from Kindergarten - 2nd grade should NOT use whiteboards.  Students that need continued practice and strength building activities for fine motor should also not use white boards.

Here's why: When a child writes with a white board pen/board, they do not have to push down all the way, which means they are not activating the muscle memory portion of the exercise.  So, in short, if you are having a child use a white board to practice letter writing, it is truly a waste of time. They might write the letters, but without activating the muscle memory sensory piece, it is not registering in their brain.

Here's the solution: Response boards aka chalkboards.  With this tool a child DOES have to push hard enough when writing and it DOES activate muscle memory which in results helps with retention of how to write a letter or number.  

Second - this post is not going to be filled with beautiful pictures...it's going to simple, and to the point! 

Now, let's gather all of your supplies and get started.

Supplies:

poster boards (any color, I got mine at the dollar store)

paper cutter (recommended but not necessary)

black adhesive contact paper 

ruler and a pencil

Add on supplies:

dustless chalk (now there truly is NO such thing that I have found...but this one is the closest to it)

    -each piece can be broken (snapped) into 3 smaller pieces.  This is actually recommended to encourage and teacher children about the tripod finger grasp and helps with fine motor.

socks (the smaller the better...can also be found at Walmart/Target etc.)

    -these work as an eraser and also a place to store the chalk when it is not in use 

Process:

1. Make one first as your sample.  I always recommend this first because it will help you learn the process. 

1a. cut poster board into 1 piece sized 9 x 6.5 in (you can change your sizes to optimize your poster board usage and reduce waste, but you DO want it to be a clear rectangle)

1b. cut the adhesive laminate sized the same as the poster board 

1c. line up the laminate and poster board.  start with one side and slowly peel and stick at the same time.  

1d. smooth out any air bubbles that are formed 

1e. trim edges with paper cutter if need be

2. THEN cut all the poster board, recommended size

3. Cut all the contact paper

4. Label the back of each chalkboard with a student number or name.

Research/Articles that support this theory

All About OT

Help With Handwriting Article

The Kindergarten Smor.

*Disclaimer.  I am an Amazon Affiliate and earn commissions.  

How to Synchronize Instruction While Working with Multiple Kids

If you have multiple kids in your house, sometimes school time can feel daunting. 

You might have even asked yourself, 

“Can they both work on math?”

“Can they both work on reading?”  

“Can they do the same activity, or do they need to be different because they are different ages?”

"Can I synchronize instruction while working with multiple kids?"

The answer to all of these questions is YES!  In the picture shows of Paisley and Reese are both working on math. 
The content and expectations are different for each girl, but the concepts are related. 
In fact, Paisley’s understanding of the #13 is only achievable after she understand the concept of #3.

Although this dreamy scenario of synchronizing instruction for two different kids at different
academic levels sounds great, it is often only achievable after you first understand the following
two things:

1. Understanding the Common Core standards for your child’s grade level
2. Understanding your child’s academic ability in regards to the standard

The best way to understand these two things is to first understand the Common Core standards. 
I have heard a lot of parents gripe and complain about Common Core, but the real reason I believe
people don’t like the Common Core standards is because they are DIFFERENT than what people
are used to.  When things are DIFFERENT it takes time, effort and understanding before accepting
a new system.  

My best advice for you would be one or all of the following.
*Ask a professional.  Check in with your child’s classroom teacher, myself, or another teacher that
you know.  

*Check out this Myths vs. Facts page.  

*Read through your state standards, by googling your state’s abbreviation and common core
standards such as  “CA Common Core standards”.

After gaining a deeper understanding of the Common Core standards, you can help guide your child in
mastering each concept that’s related to each standard.   If you need help finding material or creating
a plan to keep your child on track, email me. 

This is what I do! This is my passion, my calling. 

For me, finding the right activity for a child and linking a Common Core standard to it is the same as
working on a jigsaw puzzle...another one of my hobbies.  Let me help you and together we can achieve that dreamy scenario of synchronizing instruction for all of your kids at home.  

by Laura Hatheway

Learning with Laura

LearningwithLaura123@gmail.com

Follow me @Learning_with_Laura123

Learning with Laura website

The Importance of Consistency

Consistency is important for kids.

#1 As parents we know that being consistent as parents goes so far.  We know that when we consistency follow through on the things that we are going to do like go for a walk and we follow through on that it helps our kids feel secure and helps with our daily plan because they know what's coming.

Your child's teacher knows this as well.  That's why if you were to walk into your child's classroom you would notice that often times your child sit in the same spot.  Teachers do this on purpose.  They know that this small yet predictable detail, will help the child start the day on a positive note.  The teacher does this so every child knows that when they come in, they hang their backpack, they have a consistent morning routine and the SAME spot to sit in.

Teachers also know that its important to keep the worksheets and activities that they use consistent.  They know that every now and then it's good to change it up, but that overall they keep the format the same.

How can you replicate this at home?

Set up a consistent time of day for "school time for you child".  This could be 30 mins after breakfast.  It could mean that you schedule "reading time" after lunch or during snack time every day.

Find a designated "school spot" for your child.  In our house, we use the kitchen table.  I have found this location works for us because it's furthest away from my girls' toys.  They are less likely to get distracted by their toys if we are further away from them.  It is also a great spot because often times I am multitasking, washing dishes/folding laundry, which I can do in the kitchen at the table or close by.

How do we promote this at Learning with Laura?

Whether it is an individualized packet focusing on your child's IEP goals/specific set of standards the or a weekly packet for Preschool, TK, Kindergarten build consistency through the format.

Every week in each packet there's always a play dough piece for fine motor development and for working on letters and numbers.  Each week the letter and the number changes and that's the piece that's different.  The format stays the same because we as teachers and as parents know that consistency is key.

By always doing a play dough sheet with your child they know what to expect, they know the expectations, they are starting to get the hang of it the fine motor piece, and the format of it, so they can really focus on the letter formation, the number formation.  That's where the true learning comes into play.

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