DIY Classroom Magnetic Board

    I'm always in search of new and unique ways for my students to learn and grow. I'm sure you are too! I mean that's why you're here, right? :) I have several students in my class that receive occupational therapy. Earlier this year, our OT came in and told me that having students with fine motor issues work on a vertical surface can help improve some of the student's fine motor skills. So, I took this and ran with it! I mean, if it's going to help my students, I was gonna find a way to make this happen!

My solution? Huge magnetic board work station! And if you knew me, you would know that I had to make this a fun DIY project. My first stop? Home Depot. I bought a sheet of galvanized steel for about $10. It was a pretty big sheet and also can double as a dry erase board. So, it was a great buy.

I decided to mount it on the partition that I have, to make the most use of my space as possible. As you can see, I used bulletin board border to make it look a little cuter. I also put a couple layers of duct tape around all of the edges of the sheet metal because it is VERY sharp and I wasn't going to take a chance of any of my kiddos cutting their hand. 

                                  

I already have letters for my class, so I just but some sticky magnets on the back and it was good to go! I have some kiddos that are also working on colors, shapes, and numbers, so I made work kits that a paras could have available when they needed it.

                     

I went a little Cricut crazy, and cut out shapes, letters, and objects in different colors. Each folder has a pencil case that has all of the materials that the paras need for each activity.     

                  

The paras LOVE it and the students LOVE it! They pull up a bean bag or a floor cushion and the have a blast. The best thing about this is that you can do any type of activity on this board. It can be completely modified depending on what subject and level you teach!

  

"Freeze Time" Telling Time Activity

    It's been a while since I've made a post, and a lot has changed in my little teaching world. This year I have been working in a wonderful significant needs middle school classroom. As my first year teaching in a significant needs classroom, it felt like my first year teaching all over again! And I'm sure we all remember how crazy that first year can be. So, now that you're all caught up on me, I wanted to share an activity that I have been doing in my math class that the kids absolutely LOVE!

This is the basket right by the door, where the students pick up their cards each day.

     In my math class, I focus on teaching functional skills--skills that will help my students with everyday tasks and teach them how to live independently in the future. 

This activity is called "Freeze Time."

When each student walks into class, they pick up a Freeze Time card and a dry erase marker. Students continue class as normal. Throughout the class, I will periodically say "FREEZE". All of my students know that they must pause what they're doing and look up at the clock. They write down whatever time the clock says. At the end of class, they put their cards back in the basket.

Once class is over, I have one of my paras check the cards for correctness. I have set up a reward system with my students: each time every student in the class gets the correct answers, they earn a letter. If they are able to earn every letter to spell out "Freeze Time", I bring them in a surprise, as promised.

   

                   

As you can see, the kids are SO close to finishing! And with each letter they get, they get more and more encouraged to get the right answer and, ultimately, excited to earn their prize. 

This activity has been super great in my classroom because I can make sure my kiddos aren't losing their time telling skills. Now I don't have to take a whole day just to have a review day!

If you'd like to get your own "Freeze Time" cards, please click HERE!