My second grade class sits cross-legged on the rug. It is the first day of school, and I'm introducing a classroom tool that the children will be using today and all year. "What is this?" I ask as I hold up the colorful box. Hands shoot up like popcorn with an occasional "ooh-ooh" tossed into the enthusiastic mix. I call on the child who is opening his mouth to blurt the answer."Crayons! A box of crayons!" he calls out.
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NOV
10
2011
Teaching Future Scientists
"Young engineers, it looks as if you have mastered skyscrapers. Now you are ready for the challenge of building a bridge!" said the teacher to a small group of children in a…
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OCT
06
2011
Guided Discovery: Paper, Scissors, and Glue
One of my favorite Guided Discovery lessons led children to explore ways they could use paper, glue sticks (or glue), and scissors. I was always amazed at what children could create with…
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SEP
22
2011
Books for Guided Discovery: Crayons
Use a book to kick off a Guided Discovery lesson or to reinforce learning from it. A great read-aloud can open children’s minds to the magic and possibilities of the material you’re…
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NOV
01
2008
A Fresh Start Leads to Learning
Last year's class, my twenty-third, was the most challenging of my teaching career. Most of the students were quite young for fifth grade, and several had a history of severe behavior problems.…
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AUG
01
2004
Guided Discovery in Action
The fifth graders and their teacher, Mr. Lomax, sit in a circle. In front of Mr. Lomax is an array of five dictionaries. The largest dictionary has a worn leather cover and…
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AUG
01
2004
Favorite Guided Discoveries
Question: Guided Discovery is a strategy for introducing materials in the classroom. The primary goal is to generate interest and excitement about classroom resources and help children explore their possible uses. “What…
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