Teaching Is Getting To Know The Kids

We get to know our students all year long. 
 
1. 36 Interesting Ways  to Get To Know Your Class

http://www.ideastoinspire.co.uk/presentations/gettoknowyournewclass.htm?iframe=true&width=720&height=579

2.  Traci's 19th List of Ten:
Ten Narrative Writing Prompts 
http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/019.shtml 

3. Self-Portrait
Grade Levels: 3 - 5
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/multiculturalism/lesson-plan/5.html?detoured=1 

4. All-About-You Activities

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/icebreakers_for_kids_2.shtml 

 Teachers can also get feedback from kids concerning their personal favorites, current events,  and hopes and dreams and do a class comparison. This activity can be connected to just about every discipline. It is also a good break from the hard-core core curriculum. 

5. Gathering Feedback from Students

http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/teaching-guides/reflecting/student-feedback/

Giving students a choice--and you can notice and acknowledge that choice. You learn more about the kid, and the child feels validated that you noticed.

You can learn a lot about a child by their choices.

6.  Liven Up Your Lessons by Giving Students Choices

http://www.edutopia.org/lesson-engagement-student-choice 

 7. Giving Students a Say May Spur Engagement and Achievement

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2010/12/class_choice_may_spur_student.html