In Teacher Vs. Students, students compete against the teacher in a quick game of listening and participation. Typically we play this game after a general phonics rule has been taught and students have to practice hearing it for phonological practice. Rather than me just reading a word asking them to identify the sound, I am using the taught rule(s) and turning into a game of friendly competition to show that they are smarter than the teacher. It's important though, to be honest. If I win, I explain what they should practice more of and then try it again another day.
My class is divided into two heterogeneous groups. Each group spends half its time working with me and the other half working independently on computers. Get Set is the strategy I use to prepare my students for the activity they will be starting. I may also give some additional directions during this time that reinforce behavioral or academic expectations. During this strategy, students who are going to the computers go to a shelf that contains their headphones and then proceed to line up near the computers. When I see that most students are set to begin, I tell them to proceed and to log in.
The quick search feature can be a great resource for students. The quick search poster can easily be made to list the topics you want students to search for. While there are book lists that can be created in programs such as MyOn, having students use the search feature gives students some flexibility in what they read while staying on topic.
Our Two Cents is a strategy to increase student discourse and have students respond to questions with more justification, reasoning, and elaboration. Giving their "two cents" refers to them giving more than a one-word response or more than one example. Adding Two Cents to a basket serves as an incentive to my students to elaborate on their responses without much prompting from me. The incentive for students can be determined by the teacher or by the members of the class so that they are motivated to push themselves rather than the teacher always pushing students.