Experienced teachers know that engaging students through art is an excellent strategy, so it is no surprise that great examples of First In Math bulletin boards and achievement walls are showing up all over Facebook, Twitter and other social media these days.
“It’s very exciting,” says First In Math Implementation Specialist Melissa Walsh. “Seeing their name on a bulletin board in the classroom—or on a school’s Facebook page—can be a very empowering experience for children, especially elementary- and middle-school students.”
“On the simplest level, art is something all kids relate to, so it makes sense to incorporate it into your math classroom,” says FIM Art Director Lin Hochmiller. “We make it easy to do just that—our goal is that no teacher should ever have to leave our site to spend time searching for great artwork to motive and reward their students.”
“There is so much great art offered on the First In Math site—I urge you to discover it,” says FIM Implementation Strategist Monica Patel. The First In Math site offers teachers more than 180 free, downloadable certificates, labels, badges and posters to reward students, and recognize achievement on an individual, classroom, and school level.
According to Patel, a Certificate “Wall Of Fame” (WOF) helps math teachers who want a quick way to incorporate art without using up a lot of class time. “Successful First In Math school anchors use a Wall Of Fame or other similar approach to keep students achieving and motivated throughout the year.”
Teachers can access printable WOF art and certificates on their Team Leader Homepage, via the Certificates and Awards and Classroom Art links. (WOF examples and instructions are included.) Place your content in an area that is highly visible and include Skill Level Titles, starting with Scholar (500-999 stickers) all the way up to Mathematician and beyond.
If you are considering a First In Math display, keep these factors in mind:
Pick a high-traffic area or wall to showcase the math proficiency of your students. Make your display visible by choosing an area outside the school office or in the central hallway—this is effective in generating excitement.
Structure it to counteract skill plateau issues—make the theme motivational and use it to promote practice of games / honing of skills needed to advance through the program.
To involve students even more, consider letting them find their own creative way to transform FIM data into a visual display.
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CREATE A CUSTOM CERTIFICATE NOW! Normally, Team Leaders and Principals must be logged in to access Classroom Art links, but we are offering a special, editable First In Math Achievement Certificate here. Click this CERTIFICATE link and open or download to your computer. (PPT file) Sticker Count, Student Name and congratulatory text are fully-customizable.