Allisence: 5 Things Making a Comeback

I love the way Converse All Stars look, but I’m not such a fan of how much they cost, so I bought some look-alikes. During a recent visit home, my dad took one look at my shoes and commented that Converses were “in” when he was young because they were affordable—and now everyone’s paying $60 for what should be cheap shoes.

This got me thinking about all the things that are making a comeback. Supposedly the current economy is causing everyone to subconsciously reminisce about happier times. I don’t know about that, but I do know many things besides ’70s clothing seem to be enjoying a comeback.

So here’s my list of top five things making a comeback this school year.

Chalkboards. While the rest of the nation seems to be moving toward SMART Boards, I’ve been blessed with a chalkboard. You know, those dusty green wall-hangers kids with sensory issues don’t like? That being said, my school is at capacity this year, so we’re using classrooms that haven’t been used for years. Guess I’ll have to limit the black clothing. . . .

Carpet time, all the time. I was actually putting it nicely when I said every room is being used, because many rooms are actually being used double. For example, I’m sharing a room with a speech pathologist. This means my side of the room is, let’s say, cozy. I couldn’t figure out where to put any desks, so I hauled them all outside, deciding that all-day carpet time is just the way it’s going to have to be.
 
Playtime. With the implementation of more rigorous Arizona state standards a few years back, there’s really no time for play at any grade level. But all my students have social or communication goals this year, so I’ve decided that playtime is going to make a comeback. Granted, it’s labeled “free choice” in my lesson plans, but there’s no real hiding it: It’s playtime.

Overhead projectors. I hadn’t seen an overhead projector in years, but one showed up at our district opening meeting. After the mandatory training videos, the schools squared off in a round of Trivial Pursuit. Teams wrote their answer to each question on a transparency, which was then projected. Given the circumstances, I’m not sure how else this could have been done. So while definitely “old school,” the overheard projector can be relatively effective.

Puzzles. Puzzles never really disappeared; they simply migrated over to the computer. This year, my school is filled with puzzles because our new positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) system is based on Peace Puzzles. Individual behavior plans include color-coded puzzles. Classes collect Peace Puzzle Pieces when they accomplish the Weekly Peace Mission. The school goal is to have every student earn a Peace Puzzle shirt by the end of the year.

I’m curious to know if any of these items are making a comeback at your schools or in your classrooms. Or maybe you have something to add to the list?

Comments

[Green Laser Pointer]

There are adaptations to the SMART board technology. For the cost of the special software (about $30) a laser pointer (about $10) and a Wii remote (About $30) you can make your own interactive smartboard- which does just about everything the fully electronic board does.

Just because overhead projectors are an older technology, does not limit their usefulness. If I need to pull up an old lesson plan on a computer I first have to turn the computer on (and wait, the computers are rather dated). Open the program, find the lesson or reference, etc....

[Ashley]

I appreciate the fact that you are bringing back some old favorites, by choice or not. While new technology and classroom 'toys' can be a great thing, their expenses are not. And most of the time, there is no real need for these high priced 'toys'. These old favorites do just the trick. White-board verses black-board, LCD projector verses Smart Boards, computer games verses board games, etc. The fact that they are merely something new, is what makes most want them in their classroom.

[Jessica]

Believe it or not, my school has an extra interactive whiteboard right now because one of our teachers asked to use the old overhead projector instead. Sometimes, the new technology is overwhelming and it's just as easy to embrace old school than reinvent the wheel.

[Donna]

I found the cutest school photo frame. It is a school bus that you can add photos to for each of your child's school years. https://www.youruniquehousedecor.com/SCHOOL-BUS-PHOTO-FRAME_p_1112.html Donna

[Allisence]

Richard, I'm so happy you asked about the puzzles. Basically, the PBIS model is based on the slogan "I am a piece of the puzzle. I am the peace" so we play off of piece/peace. Everyone keeps the peace by being safe, respectful, responsible, and friendly/caring -- what I call the 4 categories.

On the grand school level, there are certain expectations on how students can "keep the peace" in different parts of the school: cafeteria, on the stairs, on the playground, in the hallways, etc. that fall under each of the 4 categories. When students are "caught" keeping the peace, they earn a Peace t-shirt that they can wear on Fridays with jeans (we are a uniform school). By the end of the year, every student should have earned a shirt. Each week, the principal picks 1 student to be the school peace keeper.

Each classroom does things a little differently. In my classroom, students are given a weekly Peace Mission. For me, they generally tie into behavior, social/emotional, and communication goals. When students are "caught" completing the mission without prompts, they earn a Peace Puzzle Piece. At the end of the week, we put the puzzle together and students pick a prize.

For each individual student in my class, students are on a green/yellow/ornage/red/grey puzzle system. You start on green and a warning would constitute moving down on the system. Red would equal 5 minutes less of recess and grey means going to the principal's office.

That's just how I do it in my classrom. Each teacher has a different take for the classroom/individual model. We also teach the IB attitudes in conjunction with our PBIS because we're an IB Candidate School. Let me know if you have more questions.

[glenn]

In my local district they can only dream about smartboards. Do they spend the money on a smartboard for one room, or do they replace the well pump to a gradeschool? Are video projectors purchased for 6 more classrooms, or is the roof repaired on the portables at another school?

The district itself is rather small, and in a low income area. Chalkboards (and a few dry eraseboards) are the standard, not by choice, but by need.

There are adaptations to the SMART board technology. For the cost of the special software (about $30) a laser pointer (about $10) and a Wii remote (About $30) you can make your own interactive smartboard- which does just about everything the fully electronic board does.

Just because overhead projectors are an older technology, does not limit their usefulness. If I need to pull up an old lesson plan on a computer I first have to turn the computer on (and wait, the computers are rather dated). Open the program, find the lesson or reference, etc.... Or, I can grab the transparencies out of a 3 ring binder, and turn the overhead on, BAM!

Adapt, overcome, persevere...

[Richard Williams]

Im interested in the puzzles for PBS. I am the PBS chair at my school and that could be a great way to get student engagement.

[RD Winchel]

Allisence,

I appreciate your post about the revival of equipment and strategies that are making a comeback. As a new teacher (in a career transition)I was shocked at the age of some of my supplies in my classroom. For example, the majority of my textbooks are 1995-2000 range, well out of the 6 year replacement standard. This is disastrous in the science classroom...if I allowed it to be a hinderance rather than embrace the "opportunity". Thus, I plan to use the outdated/obsolete textbooks to help identify discrepant events (this textbook says Pluto is a planet; there are only 109 elements on the Periodic table), and prepare the students to use the internet, library, and other resources to gain the information to compare/contrast with the textbooks enroute to forming and supporting their own decisions.