Interactive Whiteboard for Maths and English

by Alice
(SA)

I think interactive whiteboards are one of the best tools for teaching. Below are just some of the lessons I have used.

*Adding on one / taking one away.....

This year one class had just started looking at addition so I started with adding on one. I put up a template of a bus and some animal pictures (that fitted in the windows) and to start with I put some animals on the bus.

As a class we counted how many animals were on the bus and then another animal would get on (a student would be selected to move an animal onto the bus) and we counted how many were on now i.e. 3 + 1 = 4.

As the students got used to what we were doing they didn't need to count any more. With this animals can get on and off (at the bus stops) so addition and subtraction were being covered.

The kids got so involved with it they started doing bigger numbers with no problem i.e 5 + 3 = 8.

*Board games......

Interactive whiteboards are awesome for number games, such as snakes and ladders or racing teddies etc. There are no pieces to get lost / eaten (depending on year level) and it's nice and big so lots of people can play (not just 4 kids crammed around a tiny board). You can also make up you own games, i.e. ladders without the snakes.

*Spelling.....

I set up a game where a picture comes up on the board (either based around a spelling word or a phonics sound etc) and the alphabet to the side. The students then come up to spell out the word by touching the letters, if they touch the wrong letter nothing happens, if they touch the correct letter it appears below the picture as if spelling it out (kind of like hangman without the losing).

I found all the student wanted to have a go at this game and it was great for reluctant writers or students with fine motor difficulties as they didn't have to worry about holding a pencil.

Depending on the word it is also possible to get a moving picture to make it a little bit more fun i.e. snowflakes falling for snow.

*Attendance......

Another thing to do with the interactive whiteboards is the attendance list. Separate the screen into two parts, on the left side put all the students names, as they arrive at school they can move their name over onto the right side (or just write it on if a bit older) that way you do not have to call attendance just copy it off the board.

*Reward charts......

Make your reward charts / sticker charts etc on the board, this can be minimized through out the day and brought up when a child gets a sticker (or in this case a picture), this would save on paper and the cost of stickers plus the students can see everyone's and compare, or you can have individual / team charts if appropriate.

These could be printed out at the end of the term or as desired.