Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Bringing Home into the Classroom



Privacy folders are something that I have used every year as an elementary school teacher. I don't know why it took me so long to figure out that individualizing the privacy folder would be a good idea. This year, I asked students to bring in photos from their lives - family photos, vacations, pets, hopes, dreams - anything really that they wanted that was appropriate for school. I have two file folders that I tape together, have the students "design" their own collage by glue-sticking their photos, laminate, then Voila...instant individualization! Now whenever they need privacy at their desks, students are "surrounded" by things that are meaningful to them. Hopefully this will relieve some of the anxiety that many students have when faced with a test. For everyone, it is bringing a part of their personal life to school with them...and they love it!

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