Vomit Draft

This is something that I created to use with my middle school students. It's very often a huge challenge to get kids to even start writing. I thought this humor would help some of them get the picture so to speak. = ) Feel free to use for yourself.

The Vomit Draft is exactly what it sounds like: not pretty, edited, organized, or well written. The point is to just “vomit” out the words on paper and clean up later.

Here are the steps to a Vomit Draft

1.JUST WRITE.

a. Don’t worry about spelling or anything else but getting your ideas out on paper about the writing topic.

2.FOCUS ON THE TOPIC

a. Write only about the topic. What do you know? What have you learned about it? Now write!

*Still stuck? Just say aloud what you’re thinking and then write that down. It’s a secret little trick for you ;)

Literactive

This website is AMAZING for reading instruction for beginning readers. It goes through pretty much everything you can think of with great games that reinforce learning and help the student succeed. Probably the most useful website I've ever come across for early reading instruction and practice.

http://www.literactive.com/Home/index.asp

Super Teacher Worksheets

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/index.html

This site hosts a ton of free worksheets for teachers to use in their classrooms. In addition to worksheets for math, science, English (including spelling), and history, it also includes a few printable administrative tools for teachers (such as printable grade books and excel templates). Should be useful for most ages and abilities.

Math Expressions - Free Curriculum Components

http://www.eduplace.com/math/mthexp/

This website includes a host of resources for students K-5. Click on the grade level and choose one the links. "Math background" is an overview of the unit concepts. "Challenge Masters" are the worksheets used for the units. "Visual Support" are the various visual aids used to help teach the lessons. The e glossary includes a list of math vocabulary used at that grade level. Although not a complete curriculum, it would be useful to supplement curriculum already in the classroom or additional resources for struggling students.

Psychological Exercises for Insight and Self-Awareness

http://wilderdom.com/games/PsychologicalExercises.html

This is another website that hosts a bunch of games, which can be easily adapted to help students build self-awareness and interact better with others. Some of these can be used as is in the classroom, but others might require adaptation dependent upon the student population. Most likely best for middle school and older students, but if one is creative, can be made useful for younger students.

Icebreakers

http://www.group-games.com/games-by-type

The website hosts a collection of good group games to play as icebreakers or team building activities near the beginning of the year to help students get to know each other. Some of these might be easy to use for unexpected unscheduled time. Enjoy!

Lateral Thinking Puzzles

http://www.folj.com/lateral/

This website has a few of the same lateral logic problems that were covered in our math class. These can be really fun and useful to promote critical thinking skills among students, even those with LD and ADHD. Many of these students are very bright and just need a stimulating kick start.