I’ve been teaching for seven years now, and have developed quite the closet of items I use for teaching. These items are generally nothing special, but can do wonders to take abstract or mundane topics and bring them to life! As a special education teacher, I am always looking for ways to make my lessons REAL (relational, experiential, applicable, and learner based). I’ve found that a simple, everyday item can take a boring lesson and make it exciting, memorable, and applicable. So, in honor of the seven years I have been teaching, I’ve selected seven items from my closet that I use on a semi-regular basis to engage my students in experiential, learner-based instruction.
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- Measuring tape
I have commandeered a massive, 100 foot measuring tape from the maintenance department. This is an awesome tool because it helps students to put actual dimensions to topics we discuss. We’ve measured boats, dimensions of buildings, wall height and distance, height of characters, and much more. It allows students to create a concrete picture of an abstract or unknown concept. I don’t teach math, so it’s also a nice way to sneak in cross-curricular content. - Colored paper and cardstock
I use this all the time! I color-code assignments for classes. It helps me organize and it also helps students be able to recognize the type of assignment or activity based on the paper. We also use it for projects and activities like foldables. Any opportunities to give students independent choices aids in ownership of class content. - Carpet tape
This is the newest addition to my closet. In past years, I used masking or painters tape, but it can wreck the carpet. I use this to create five by five square boxes for a review game, divide the room into half or fourths, mark out dimensions we have measured, and so much more. It maximizes the space and is another tool I use to make abstract concepts become concrete. - Costume and prop box
I teach a lot of narrative, so it’s fun to be able to dress up and act out the story we’re learning about. I have a classroom set of big robes. I also have several random props – an old cane becomes a sword, a staff, a snake. Other items include a stuffed sheep, plastic eggs, a tiara, paper scrolls, a stop sign, ribbon, a flashlight, rolls of toilet paper, and multiple colors of table cloths. Students love using their imaginations to turn ordinary objects into something else! Additionally, I have some costumes that are from specific time periods, locations, or cultures that I use when teaching specific lessons. Student opinions of these vary from skepticism to sheer joy – but whatever the opinion, they remember the lesson!
Not sure what REAL teaching is all about? Click here to learn more!
 | Elyse Cyr |
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