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Saturday, July 30, 2011

More Behavior Management and Freebie!

Here is a tool I use in my classroom to "randomly" partner my students up for activities. I love giving students the opportunity to choose their own partners but there are always a few who just can't work together well but insist on doing it anyway. I also pass out cards and find the match to find their partner from time to time. But sometimes you need a quick way to ensure that your students are paired up academically or according to behavior. Soooo.... I created the partner wheel.

My nice laminated ones are still at school, so you will have to do with this one straight out of the printer and use your imagination. So basically there are two wheels with 12 pie pieces each (I usually have 24 students). Layer them and use a brass fastener to attach them in the center of the wheel so that both wheels can turn freely.
The most basic way to use these is to write the names of any students you DO NOT want to be working together on the same wheel (he he). To find partners, simply turn the wheels until the names line up. In 5 years of using this, the students have never figured out that they won't be able to be partners with students on the same wheel as them (he he he).

I usually make multiple wheels. I like to make one for reading with higher readers paired with lower readers for certain activities. I print them on cardstock, laminate them, and write the names with overhead marker so I can erase and change names as students come and go.

21 comments:

  1. Karen,
    As soon as I saw this, I decided to use it BUT I usually have 25 students. Then I realized I could have 13 spaces on each wheel and leave one space blank. The child that matches with the blank could work with a stuffed animal. Love it! Thank you for sharing so many great ideas!
    Camille
    An Open Door

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  2. Great! Glad you can use it. If I have a student without a partner due to absences or what-not, I usually let them choose which group they want to work with to make a group of three.

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  3. I love this idea!! Thanks so much for sharing it! I will def. be putting this in my bag of tricks this year!

    I just found your blog, can't wait to read some of your older post!

    Amy
    Spotted in Second Grade

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  4. Genius!!!
    I seriously think I hear the angels in heaven singing because I found this!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Denise
    Sunny Days In Second Grade

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  5. this is fabulous!
    thanks so much for sharing!!

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  6. I love this idea! Thanks for sharing it!
    I'm a new follower (found via Pinterest).

    Joy
    Teaching Living History Blog

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  7. This is just awesome! Writing all the way from Brazil to say thanks for sharing!

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  8. I also really like this idea for my middle school classes.
    I have used this freeware program in the past:
    http://www.harmonyhollow.net/hat.shtml

    it does work well, but all programs have pros and cons.

    Thanks!

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  9. This is a fantastic idea. Thank you!

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  10. This is a GREAT idea! I think I would probably like any idea from a teacher who inserts (he-he!) when undermining bad student choices. Thanks both for the idea and for the laugh!

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  11. To group kids, I use the TEAM SHAKE App on my iPad. Just plug in all of your students'names, level them-high, med, low, then you can create teams of 2, 4 or whatever with just a click of a button. You can group the kids so that a high student is with a low student. Our P.E. teacher loves this app for making her teams during P.E. class.
    It's a great App and only 99 cents!

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  12. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  13. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  14. Hi went to look for the template but it tells me that it has been deleted. Help please.

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  15. same as above...link does not work

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  16. I love this thank you so much for sharing! As a new teacher I'm always looking for resources for my 'up my sleeve' bag!

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