5-10 minutes of class... what activities can you do?

What to Do With That Awkward 5 or 10 Minutes of Class You Have Left

Read the entire article here: http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2014/09/25/what-to-do-with-that-awkward-5-or-10-minutes-of-class-you-have-left

Create fun structured conversations. Give the whole class a sentence stem that they have to fill in themselves, and then make them go find at least 10 different partners to practice it with. The repetition of both speaking and listening will help cement it in their brains, and the not-sitting-in-their-chairs will make it fun. 

• "One thing I will remember to tell my future grandchildren about differential equations is _____"

• "I shall uphold the honor of my English teacher, Ms./Mr. _____ and never mix up 'you're' and 'your.' I will remember the difference by _____."

• "I'm going to go straight home and tell everyone on Facebook how the most important thing I learned about cells is ____."

• "If I made a modern-day movie about the Shakespeare play we read today, I would cast _____ as _______ because they are both ______."

Have students face off in Trashketball to decide which half of the class gets dismissed first. For Trashketball, first divide the class into two teams. Each team sends a representative to the front (or you can choose a representative). The representatives are then asked a review question. If the question is answered correctly, the representative's team earns two points. Then the representative has a chance to earn another two points for his/her team by shooting a ball made of trash (see the featured image) into the class trash can from a set distance. Then, a new set of representatives face off. Whichever team is in the lead when the bell rings gets dismissed first.

Read whole article here:
http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2014/09/25/what-to-do-with-that-awkward-5-or-10-minutes-of-class-you-have-left

What to Do With That Awkward 5 or 10 Minutes of Class You Have Left

Last week in a Grade 8 class, I found the students getting the "back to school - start up your class" activities in far less time than anticipated. I used to teach summer camp and I was a youth worker AND I have been in a variety of classes of various grade levels over the past nine years. I have a very large 'bag of tricks' and don't mind filling 5-10 minute 'gaps' with activities, but sometimes I want to try new ideas and I know some teachers, especially new teachers and new TTOCs, aren't always sure how to fill these blocks of time.

When I started teaching I did my "short practicum" with a middle school teacher who called these activities "SPONGE" activities. There is debate over using these "time fillers" but I feel if they are educational, or serve a purpose (getting to know your classmates, team building, academic, etc.) then go for it.

Here are some ideas from WE ARE TEACHERS blog:

1) Show your students one of these videos and relate it back to your lesson/content somehow.

Video	Description	Possible way of relating back to lesson/topic
The Awareness Test	A fun test of student's awareness	The importance of paying attention
Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students	A young man's heartwarming pep talk	The power of positivity/goal-setting
Zombie Kid Likes Turtles	A reporter asks a boy a question, and ... well, you'll just have to watch it.	The importance of staying on-topic
The Power of Words	A short (fictional) interaction between a homeless man and a woman who understands the power of words	The power of words
Kseniya Simonova - Sand Animation	Simonova uses sand as a storytelling medium. Amazing!	The power of visuals
Eric Whitacre: A Virtual Choir 2,000 Voices Strong	Whitacre creates a virtual choir with 2,000 submitted videos	The limitlessness of creativity

**I haven't watched these videos all yet, as always  -  a teacher should fully view any video before showing it to a class!!!

2. Play Trashketball
3. Play Reviewsical Chairs
4. Write down as many ### as you can (animals, provinces, states, vegetables, etc.)
5. Hold a limmerick contest

6) Create fun structured conversations. Give the whole class a sentence stem that they have to fill in themselves, and then make them go find at least 10 different partners to practice it with. The repetition of both speaking and listening will help cement it in their brains, and the not-sitting-in-their-chairs will make it fun. 

• "One thing I will remember to tell my future grandchildren about differential equations is _____"

• "I shall uphold the honor of my English teacher, Ms./Mr. _____ and never mix up 'you're' and 'your.' I will remember the difference by _____."

• "I'm going to go straight home and tell everyone on Facebook how the most important thing I learned about cells is ____."

• "If I made a modern-day movie about the Shakespeare play we read today, I would cast _____ as _______ because they are both ______."

Read more details and ideas at the source: http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2014/09/25/what-to-do-with-that-awkward-5-or-10-minutes-of-class-you-have-left

Choice Board

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I love this idea. I often have early finishers, especially as a TTOC, so this is a fun way to offer choices for those students. You could create a mobile version where they choose from cards or on a small poster.

Boggle Template

Another pintrest find: Free Boggle Template. This is great for fast-finishers, sponge, or for a TTOCs 'Bag of Tricks'

Source: classroomfreebies.com via sara on Pinterest

Also, see my previous post on Boggle Walls.

Writing BINGO

I am always looking for fun ways to incorporate writing games into days I teach as a TTOC (Teacher-Teaching-On-Call, Substitute) as well as fun fillers for when my own class wraps up early on a lesson, activity or project. I saw this on pintrest and wanted to share it with you all.

Source: twocandoit.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Game: Fish Bowl

I absolutely love activities and games TTOCs (Subs) can use in a variey of classes, levels, schools, subject areas. When I read this it sounded like something I would love to try.

FISHBOWL

Summary: Fun-filled word and memory game- Charades, Taboo and Password combined! Little preparation required.

Goal: The team with the most points wins the game.

Preparation:
- Pens
- Paper (3 pieces of paper for each person playing)
- A container to hold the pieces of paper
- Timer

How to Play Fishbowl:
1. Separate everyone into two equal teams (Team A and Team B). Have each person take three pieces of paper and write any word or familiar short phrase on each piece of paper. Have each person fold their pieces of paper in half and put them into the container. There are three rounds in Fishbowl: 1) Taboo 2) Password 3) Charades.

2. Round 1: Taboo
Team A needs to select someone to go first, while Team B needs a volunteer to watch the timer (set at one minute). The person from Team A will grab a piece of paper from the container and try to have his/her teammates guess the word on the paper using only use words and sentences as hints, without using any motions, "sounds like...", or spelling hints. (For example, if the word is "ribs", the person can say "baby back ___"). The person tries to have their team guess as many words as they can within one minute. The teams will need to remember the guessed words/phrases for subsequent rounds.

If the team is unable to guess the word/phrase, the person has the option to "pass", puts the word/phrase back into the container and continues with a new word/phrase. The person can only pass once during his/her one minute.

After one minute, Team A counts the number of successfully guessed words/phrases. Each guessed word/phrase counts as one point. Team B is next, and selects a volunteer from their team to start. A person from Team A will watch the timer, to be set at one minute. This alternating process continues until all of the words from the container run out. When the words run out, place all the words/phrases back into the container for the second round.

3. Round 2: Password
With the same style as the first round, the next team will select someone to go first, with the other team sets the timer for one minute. However, in this round, the person can use only one word as a hint for their team to guess. (For example, if the word is "ribs", the person can say the word "bone"). The team needs to recall the words/phrases in the previous round. Once all the words in the container runs out, place all the words back into the container for the third round.

4. Round 3: Charades
In this final round, the person needs to act and use motions as hints for their team to guess the word/phrase. (For example, if the word is "ribs", the person can point to their rib cage). When all the words run out, tally all the points. The team with the most points wins the game. 

Source: http://www.greatgroupgames.com/fishbowl

Busy Work Ideas for TTOCs to try

In the Reality 101 workshop I do for TTOCs we talk about what is in our 'Bag of Tricks' and how we stand out and connect with students in a variety of classes.

I always enjoy hearing some strategies new teachers and TTOCs use. I remember, to this day, a TTOC (sub) I had as a child who drew a parrot on the board. She told us if we worked hard that day she would teach us how to draw the parrot.... and she did! She taught us in a simple, step-by-step way that I still remember and doodle! So, of course, it is something I enjoy doing and when I return to a school, kids REMEMBER me teaching them to draw this parrot!

Another thing I like to pull out from time to time is sign language. As a kid, a boy in my class had a sister who was deaf and I learned some basic signs and the alphabet. My nephew is partially deaf and learns sign language with my sister, so I like to practice with them also. Sometimes I will teach students the letter their name starts with, or colours, or something basic they can use. 

Something else I have seen done by a TTOC friend of mine (though I don't have the skills to make it happen) is teaching the kid origami... love it!


Here are some more Busy Work Ideas:

Classroom Contest

Teach First Aid

Teach About Animals

Teach Foreign Phrases

Explore Encyclopedias

"What if" Talk / Essays

Read a Story

Draw Pictures

Make Improvised Music

Write / Read Limericks

Write Story

View Optical Illusions

Perform Magic

Crossword Puzzles

Word Search Puzzle(s)

Play Bingo

Jigsaw Puzzles

Play Hangman

Paper Airplanes (Contest)

Sing a Song

Play 20 Questions

Teach Juggling

Draw On Chalkboard

(From Substitute Teaching Tricks of the Trade) 

Riddles...

As a TTOC you want to have a "Bag of Tricks" and riddles are certainly one way to fill time, stand out, entertain, get students thinking and help with transitions.... 

5 minute mysteries are also fun and work a bit better with older students.

Riddles (Answers are at the bottom of the page)
From a Packet for Substitute Teachers

1. What goes up and down stairs without moving?
2. Give it food and it will live; give it water and it will die.
3. What can you catch but not throw?
4. I run, yet I have no legs. What am I?
5. Take one out and scratch my head, I am now black but once was red.
6. Remove the outside, cook the inside, eat the outside, throw away the inside.
7. What goes around the world and stays in a corner?
8. What gets wetter the more it dries?
9. The more there is, the less you see.
10. They come at night without being called and are lost in the day without being stolen.
11. What kind of room has no windows or doors?
12. I have holes on the top and bottom. I have holes on my left and on my right. And I have holes in the middle, yet I still hold water. What am I?
13. I look at you, you look at me, I raise my right, you raise your left. What is this object?
14. It has no top or bottom but it can hold flesh, bones, and blood all at the same time. What is this object?
15. The more you take the more you leave behind.
16. Light as a feather, there is nothing in it; the strongest man can't hold it for much more than a minute.
17. As I walked along the path I saw something with four fingers and one thumb, but it was not flesh, fish, bone, or fowl.
18. What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?
19. I went into the woods and got it, I sat down to seek it, I brought it home with me because I couldn't find it.
20. What can fill a room but takes up no space?
21. It is weightless, you can see it, and if you put it in a barrel it will make the barrel lighter?
22. No sooner spoken than broken. What is it?
23. Only two backbones and thousands of ribs.
24. Four jolly men sat down to play, And played all night till the break of day. They played for cash and not for fun, With a separate score for every one. When it came time to square accounts, They all had made quite fair amounts. Now, not one has lost and all have gained, Tell me, now, this can you explain?
25. Jack and Jill are lying on the floor inside the house, dead. They died from lack of water. There is shattered glass next to them. How did they die?
26. Why don't lobsters share?
27. A barrel of water weighs 20 pounds. What must you add to it to make it weigh 12 pounds?
28. Big as a biscuit, deep as a cup, Even a river can't fill it up. What is it?
29. Clara Clatter was born on December 27^th, yet her birthday is always in the summer. How is this possible?
30. He has married many women but has never married. Who is he?
31. If a rooster laid a brown egg and a white egg, what kind of chicks would hatch?
32. If you have it, you want to share it. If you share it, you don't have it. What is it?
33. You can't keep this until you have given it.
34. Take off my skin, I won't cry, but you will. What am I?
35. What book was once owned by only the wealthy, but now everyone can have it? You can't buy it in a bookstore or take it from the library.
36. What can go up and come down without moving?
37. What do you fill with empty hands?
38. What do you serve that you can't eat?
39. What do you throw out when you want to use it but take in when you don't want to use it?
40. What goes up and never comes down?
41. What has a foot on each side and one in the middle?
42. What has to be broken before it can be used?
43. What kind of coat can be put on only when wet?
44. What question can you never answer "yes" to?
45. What's the greatest worldwide use of cowhide?
46. Which is correct to say, "The yolk of the egg are white?" or "The yolk of the egg is white?"
47. You answer me, although I never ask you questions. What am I?
    
    

Answers

1. Carpet
2. Fire
3. A cold
4. A nose
5. A match
6. Corn
7. A stamp
8. Towel
9. Darkness
10. Stars
11. A mushroom
12. A sponge
13. A mirror
14. A ring
15. Footsteps
16. Breath
17. Glove
18. River
19. Splinter
20. Light
21. A hole
22. Silence
23. Railroad
24. Four men in a dance band
25. Jack and Jill are goldfish.
26. They're shellfish.
27. Holes
28. A kitchen strainer
29. She lives in the Southern Hemisphere.
30. A priest
31. None. Roosters don't lay eggs.
32. A secret
33. A promise
34. An onion
35. A telephone book
36. The temperature
37. Gloves
38. A tennis ball
39. An anchor
40. Your age
41. A yardstick
42. An egg
43. A coat of paint
44. "Are you asleep?"
45. To hold cows together
46. Neither, the yolks are yellow.
47. A telephone  

Time-Filler: Word Chart

Here is a great time-filler that is educational and fun and can be done in the moment with little planning.


1. Think of 5 categories for words. Write them down the left side of your paper.
2. Write a word (preferably with no repeating letters) on the top of the page, each letter is a column
3. Add lines to make a chart.
4. Students come up with words that fit the category in the row and start with the letter in the column.

It is nice to do around themes (this one was around Valentines Day) but you can also do themes for subject areas or random words.

It's a fun, but educational time-filler you can do with little to no supplies.

Another added challenge is to give points to people who have words no one else has, this challenges them to come up with less common words and be creative.



Here is an example

Getting to know students.... in a short amount of time

Knowing students names, making connections can help a teacher in the classroom. As a TTOC, it is difficult to get to know students when you have one day, sometimes less.

A strategy I often use is to have them share something about them during attendance. Instead of answering "HERE" or "PRESENT" when I call their name for attendance, I ask them a question "What is your favourite colour?" (primary) or "What is your favourite subject?" or "What song is on replay on you ipod right now?" (high school) then when their name is called they can answer. Usually it is a question that requires only a one word answer.

Another activity you could do as a warm-up to the morning is a short writing activity....

Tell students, "I'd like to know you better. Please write a half page (adjust based on grade level) for me on this topic":

• If I could do anything for one day, it would be . . .
• If I won a million dollars, I would . . .
• The best time I ever had was . . .
• What I like most in a friend is . . .
• I would like to be an educated/uneducated person because . . .
• What worries me most in the world is . . .
• In my spare time I like to . . .

 This is a great way to have students focused on a quiet activity and allows you to get to know them a bit better. This is also a nice way to have a few moments to get acquainted with the room, day plan, and so on. You can circulate and read some of the responses as they write, or read them during recess or when they are working on another activity.

Asking if anyone wants to share what they wrote is a nice activity also. Leave the writing for their regular teacher to enjoy also!

Self-Starters.... Daily Activities...

I remember as a student teacher, my "short practicum" classroom was in a Middle School and the first 15 minutes of the day was "advisory" or "homeroom" It was a mixed class (grades 6, 7, 8) and a time to warm-up for the day and connect with students and staff that were not in your regular classes.

Some days there was computer lab time, some days was free play, some days was focussed activities.... What I loved about the teacher I worked with was that she had riddles on the board, every day... students had a focal point to think about when they arrived and later in the day she would discuss the riddle and see if anyone got the answer.

I found this on a website and thought I'd share it as a suggestion for doing something similar in classrooms you teach in as a TTOC:

Putting a worksheet on each student's desk, or an activity on the board before school starts, will get kids off to a great morning. This also helps prevent potential behavior problems as students come into class. To make it easier, have self-starters according to the following days:

Monday - "Monday Math" (ex: put 5 math review problems on the board)
Tuesday - "Talk It Over Tuesday" (ex: write some quotes on the board for kids to edit for punctuations, grammar, etc.)
Wednesday - "Wacky Word-Wall Wednesday" (ex: put 5 of the words from the word wall in sentences, in tongue twisters, etc.)
Thursday - "Think it Through Thursday" (ex: put a thought-provoking question on the board for students to respond to in their journals)
Friday - "Fun Friday" (ex: put afun crossword, wordsearch, coloring sheet, etc. on their desk to complete "just for fun."

I really love the idea of theme days, but if you are a Teacher-Teaching-On-Call you could potentially do the same activity multiple days since you are in multiple classrooms within a week.

I find riddles, one-minute mysteries, and word games (liike Boggle) work well.

this discussion forum  has more ideas for start of day activities

Writing Prompts for students who finish work early...

Literacy is a goal of many schools and as a teacher-teaching-on-call it is a goal you can help work towards, even in a short time at a school. Often lessons don't go as planned and end a bit early. While games can be a fun filler, writing prompts are a way to have students working and focused on something allowing you to circulate and help other students who maybe are not yet done the lesson left by the classroom teacher.

I like to write a prompt on the board so that students who are done their work have a task to work on, this helps prevent them from becoming bored or disruptive to others working. 

If there is time, volunteers may wish to read/share what they have written with you or the class.

This site had a long list of writing prompts you could try, or let students think of their own.

What is...

• What is something you dislike about yourself?
• What is something you do well?
• What is your favourite room in your home and why?
• What is a good neighbour?
• What is the worst thing parents can do to their children?
• What is your favourite time of day?
• What is your idea of a dull evening?
• What is the best way to treat meddlesome people?
• What is something you are optimistic about?
• What is something you are pessimistic about?
• What is your most indispensable possession and why?
• What is the meaning of "He laughs best who laughs last"?
• What is your favourite song and why?
• What is the best birthday present you ever received?
• What is the best birthday present you could receive?
• What is something that makes you feel sad?
• What is your favourite book and why?
• What is something that really bugs you?
• What is something that really makes you angry?
• What is the best advice you ever received?
• What is your favourite holiday? What makes this holiday special?
• What is your favourite day of the week?
• What is your favourite month? Why?

What if...

• What would happen if you could fly whenever you wanted? When would you use this ability?
• What would happen if there were no television? Why would this be good? bad?
• What would happen if everyone lived in space? What type of houses would they live in? What type of clothing would they wear? What type of food would they eat? How would they travel?
• What if cows gave root beer instead of milk?
• What if all the streets were rivers? What would be different?
• What would happen if people never co-operated? Why do you think it is important to co-operate?
• What would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs?
• What would happen if animals could talk? What are some of the questions you would like to ask animals?
• What would happen if you could become invisible whenever you wanted to? What are some of the things you could do that you cannot do now?
• What would happen if everyone wore the same clothes?
• What would happen if you threw a piece of trash on the ground? What if everyone did?
• What if you could walk up walls and across ceilings?
• What would happen if you loved your neighbour as yourself? What if everyone did?
• What would happen if you grew taller than trees? How would this change your life?
• What would happen if children ruled the world?
• What would happen if there were no cars, buses, trains, boats, or planes? How would this change your life?
• What if everyone lived under water? Where would people live? What games would children play? What would school be like?
• What would happen if you found gold in your backyard?
• What would you do if a bully bothered you on your way home?
• What would you do if you did very poorly of a test?
• What would you do if a friend borrows things from you but never returns them?
• What would you do if You were the teacher and everyone forgot his homework?
• What would you do if you were in the middle of the lake and your boat began to leak?
• What would you do if Your friend had a broken leg? How would you cheer him up?
• What would you do if you saw little bugs in your salad?
• What would you do if you woke up in another country and no one could understand you?
• What would you do if you ordered an ice cream cone and you forgot to bring money?
• What would you do if someone got in front of you when you were in line at the movies?
• What would you do if your jelly sandwich fell upside down on the floor?
• What would you do if only one hot dog is left and neither you nor your friend have had one?
• What would you do if two of your best friends went to the movies without inviting you?
• What would you do if the surprise party was for you but you weren't surprised?
• What would you do if you got a present you didn't like?
• What would you do if you were at home and your homework was at school?
• What would you do if you dropped the cookie jar and it broke?
• What would you do if you were invited to two parties on the same day?
• What would you do if you promised to feed your pet and you didn't?
• What would you do if someone said you did something wrong and you didn't?
• What would you do if your new shoes felt fine in the store but now they are hurting?
• What would you do if someone told you a joke that you don't think is funny?
• What would you do if an hour before the party you remember you don't have a gift?
• What would you do if a friend comes to your house and his/her mom doesn't know he's/she's there?
• What would you do if you had four math problems marked wrong that were right?
• What would you do if you found in the street?
• What would you do if you found a magic wand?
• What would you do if you wanted to be friends with someone who spoke no English?
• What would you say if someone told you it was all right to steal from a large department store?
• What would you do if you saw a friend cheating--report it, confront the friend, nothing--and why?
• If you could have been someone in history, who would you have been?
• If you could only take 3 people with you on a trip around the world, who would you take and why?
• If you could give any gift in the world, what would you give and to whom?
• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
• If you received any sum of money as a gift, what would you do with it?
• If you could do whatever you wanted to right now, what would you do?
• If you were principal of this school, what would you do?
• If you were a mouse in your house in the evening, what would you see your family doing?
• If you were five years older you would...
• If you were lost in the woods and it got dark, what would you do?
• If it were your job to decide what shows can be on t.v., how would you choose?
• If there were no rules, what do you think would happen?
• If you owned a store, what would you do to discourage people from stealing from you?
• If you could participate in an Olympic event, which one would you choose and why?
• If you could break the Guiness Book of Records it would be for?
• If you had to describe yourself as a colour, which would you choose?
• If your friend told you of a secret plan to run away from home, what would you do and why?

What do you think...

• What do you think of 3D movies?
• What do you think someone your age can do to help reduce the amount of pollution in our environment?
• What do you think the world needs now?
• What do you think your friends say to each other when you're not around?
• What do you think about the amount of violence on T.V.?
• What do you think about people polluting the environment?
• What do you think about having set rules for people to follow?
• What do you think about people who are inconsiderate of others?
• What do you think should be done to keep people who are under the influence of alcohol off the road?
• What do you think the world will be like when you are a grown up?
• What do you think about ghosts?
• What do you think of someone who has bad manners?
• What do you think about people who take advantage of others?
• What do you think about when you can't fall asleep?
• What do you think courage means?
• What do you think makes a good friend?
• What do you think makes a happy family?
• What pollutants do you think do the most damage and why?
• What things do you think are beautiful?
• What do you think about students having to wear school uniforms?

What...misc.

• What do you like most about yourself?
• What do you like to do in your free time?
• What kind of animal would you like to be and why?
• What kind of trophy would you like to win?
• What TV or movie star would you like to invite to your birthday party?
• What does "Clothes make the person" mean to you?
• What does "Have your cake and eat it too" mean to you?
• What does "The early bird gets the worm" mean to you?
• What do we mean when we say, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"?
• What does "You can't take it with you" mean?
• What do we mean when we say, "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"?
• What do we mean when we say, "Hitch your wagon to a star"?
• What does "still waters run deep" mean to you?
• What does "There are two sides to every coin" mean to you?
• What does Canada mean to you?
• What are you afraid of? Why?
• What are junk foods?
• What are some nutritious foods that you like?
• What are some rules you have to follow at home?
• What are some examples of prejudice?
• What is more important to you, appearance or personality?
• What is most important to you in a friend--loyalty, generosity, honesty--why?
• What is something that makes you melancholy?
• What makes your best friend your best friend?
• What makes you feel safe?
• What makes you laugh?
• What would you invent to make life better?
• What would you do to entertain your family without spending any money?
• What effects does watching violence have on people?
• What effects do cigarette and alcohol advertising have on young people?
• What kind of t.v. commercial would you like to make? Describe it.
• What kind of pet would you most like to have--monkey, snake, goat--why?
• What kind of program do you enjoy most on TV--detective shows, comedies, game shows--and why?
• What advice would you give a new student?
• What advice would you give to someone who stole something but now feels guilty?
• What things are better than going to school? Why?
• What talents do you have?
• What three words would describe you right now?
• What four things are most important in your life?
• What colour makes you think of happiness?
• What has been the most fun activity at school so far?
• What quality do you like about yourself--creativity, personality, appearance--why?
• What eccentric behaviour in a friend disturbs you the most?
• What parts of nature do you like best?
• What do you do for exercise?
• What is the most ludicrous outfit you can think of?
• What is the funniest dinner you've ever had with your family?

How...

• How do you feel when it's your birthday? Why?
• How do you feel on the first day of winter? Why?
• How would you feel if you were going to be on a show? Why?
• How do you feel when you do something wrong?
• How do you feel when you do something that is very good?
• How do you feel when you play a trick on someone?
• How would you feel if a new child moved into your neighbourhood?
• How do you think the new child would feel?
• How do you feel when you have had a fight with your best friend?
• How do you think your friend felt?
• How do you feel when you are in bed with the lights out?
• How do you feel when you want something very badly and you cannot have it? Why is this so important to have?
• How do you feel on a warm sunny day?
• How do you feel when you stay with a babysitter?
• How do you feel when you're leaving home on vacation?
• How do you feel when you sleep at someone's house?
• How do you feel during a thunderstorm?
• How do you feel on the first day of school?
• How do you feel when your parents are upset with you? Why do they become upset with you?
• How do you feel on Thanksgiving? What are you thankful for?
• How do feel on (any holiday)?
• How do you feel when something scares you? What do you do when this happens?
• How would you feel if someone told you that you were his or her best friend?
• How do you feel about your appearance?
• How would you change the world to make it better?
• How do you think eating junk food affects you?
• How do you have the most fun--alone, with a large group, with a few friends--and why?
• Explain how to play your favorite game.
• How would you describe your house to someone who has never visited there before?

I wish...

• I wish I had a million... Then I would...
• I wish I had one... because
• I wish I could be like.... This person is special because....
• I wish to be a ________ when I grow up. Then I will....
• I wish there were a law that said..... This would be a good law because....
• I wish I could forget the time I ..... because....
• I wish trees could..... because....
• I wish I could see...... because.....
• I wish I could learn..... because.....
• I wish I didn't have to eat...... I don't like this food because.....
• I wish everyone would learn to ..... Then everyone would.....
• I wish I never......
• I wish I had one more chance to..... Then I would.....
• I wish there was an electric......
• I wish I had enough money to......
• I wish everyone loved......
• I wish all children would......
• I wish everyone had.....
• I wish I could touch......
• I wish animals could...... If they could, then.....
• I wish I looked like.... because......
• I wish there were no more.....
• I wish I didn't have to.....
• I wish I could go to.....
• I wish there really was..... If there really was, then.....
• I wish I could hear......
• I wish I could give......
• If all my wishes came true, I would......

When...

• When you are angry, how do you look?
• When are you happiest?
• When have you felt lonely?
• When do you feel proud?
• When was the last time you cried and why?
• When a friend was in an embarrassing situation, what did you do?
• When it might hurt their feelings, how do you feel about telling your friends the truth?
• When might it be bad to be honest?
• When someone picks on someone else, how do you feel? What do you do?
• Once, when you were very frightened, what happened?
• Once, when you were embarrassed, what happened?
• Once, when your feelings were hurt, what happened?
• Describe a time when you felt vengeful.
• When you have a problem who do you talk to? Why?

Which...

• Which quality best describes your life--exciting, organised, dull--and why?
• Which quality do you dislike most about yourself--laziness, selfishness, childishness--and why?
• Which place would you most like to visit--Africa, China, Alaska--why?
• Which holiday has the most meaning for you-Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day--and why?
• Which is least important to you--money, power, fame--and why?
• Which is most important to you--being popular, accomplishing things, being organised--and why?
• Which is your favourite Star Wars character (or other movie/book/t.v. show, etc.)? Why?

Why...

• Why is it important to be honest?
• Why is important to have good manners?
• Why do you think adults smoke/drink?
• Why is exercise important to someone your age?
• Why do you think some people encourage others to smoke/drink?
• Why do you think the rules you must follow are good or bad?
• Why would it be good to be honest?
• Why have men and women usually only done certain types of work?
• Why should or shouldn't a man stay home to care for the house and children while his wife goes to work?
• Why do you think some people take advantage of others?
• Why do you think prejudice exists in the world?
• Why would we say that someone is "passing the buck"?
• Why would a Prime Minister have a sign on his desk which read, "The buck stops here"?
• Why do you think tact is an important quality?
• Why is it not wise to squander your money?
• Explain why we say, "dead as a door nail".
• Think of your favourite toy. Why do you like it best?
• Think of the best teacher you ever had. Why were they a good teacher?

Misc...

• Do you think there is too much fighting on t.v. Why or why not?
• Do you think it is necessary to have alcohol at a party in order to have a good time?
• Does it bother you to be around someone who has bad manners?
• Should there be a dress code in places such as school, restaurants, and places of business? Why or why not?
• Should animals be used for medical research?
• Should the Canadian Government financially support Olympic teams?
• Should people be prohibited from smoking in certain places?
• Families are important because...
• Would you like to be famous? Why or why not? What would you like to be famous for?
• Who or what has had a strong influence in your life?
• Where would you prefer to be right now--mountains, desert, beach--and why?
• Should you have to do chores around the house? Why or why not?
• Should you be required to wear a bike helmet? Why or why not?
• Should skateboards be allowed on sidewalks?
• Where do you think we should go on our class fieldtrip this year? Why?
• Should you have to take tests in school?
• Should cellphones be allowed in school?
• Can television (or videogames) influence your behaviour? How?
• Should schools be year-round?
• Should junk food be banned from schools?
• Should students be required to learn a second language?

Who am I? What am I saying?

Thanks for visiting. I am Ms. Long, a teacher in Coquitlam, B.C. Canada. After seven years of teaching on call (as a substitute/TTOC) I "converted" to a continuing part time Middle School teacher. I love Middle School! I did my practicum in a grade 6/7 class and have worked much of my contract time in Middle School.

Right now I TTOC part time and teach Middle School part time. After so many years as a TTOC, I have become a strong advocate for new teachers and TTOCs and work with our local union and school district to promote engagement and support for teachers early in their career.  I am chair of the local and provincial TTOC committee, a facilitator for new teachers and TTOCs in our school district and help plan Professional Development in our local as well.

I am a bit of a technology geek, and spend my time "unwinding" after a long day on pinterest and blogging educational resources, articles and ideas to share with other educators. Thank-you for visiting my blog.



I recognize that some terms I use frequently aren't necessarily common terms so I wanted to have this post as reference.

TTOC - Teachers-Teaching-On-Call.
In many school districts this is also known as a "substitute teacher" however, in British Columbia, Canada, where I teach, we are known as TEACHERS, teaching-on-call. We are equally trained and certified as classroom teachers and either make the choice to teach on call or are waiting for a temporary or continuing contract to become classroom teachers part or full time.

Bag of Tricks
This is the tool box teachers have. It can be an actual bag of supplies, but I also use it in reference to what you have in your back pocket (or in your head) for any situation you encounter. TTOCs in B.C. frequently get called into a variety of grade level and subject levels so having a "Bag of Tricks" helps a teacher-on-call be adaptable to any situation. This is also good for contract teachers when you have fast-finishers, or some flex time to fill with educational activities.

Fast-Finishers, Early-Finishers, Sponge, Flex Time
The time between lessons or activities where students can get disruptive if they don't have something to focus on. I like to have a lot of activities for this time because I recognize students work at different paces and as a TTOC sometimes the classroom teachers lesson goes faster than planned for some or all students.

I will add to this as needed. I have had some people asking about terms I use.