What are you most used resources in class?

[paladin777]

Hey guys

What are your most used resources in class? ie. Balls, paper, etc.

[Darkeru]

The computer. More specifically powerpoint and timers.

[korr]

Chalk and a chalkboard. When I was teaching elementary I also had a giant foam hand that I would prod students with.

[paladin777]

Didn't you use any resources for game etc?

[AshleyTeacher]

Chalk and board.

I don't have a classroom. I have no computer, because usually the homeroom teacher is "too busy" to let me borrow it. I have no TV, because it's connected to the computer I can't use.

But, I do use conversation. I try as many photocopy activities.. and the book.

[Rutten]

powerpoint. it helps me explain tasks and conversation points in a fun, fancy way... when the computers are working :O otherwise, chalkboard ftw

[teacher_del]

Whiteboards and magical laminated icons on magnets. 

I find it really helpful to be able to stick a girl's face next to "she" and a boy's next to "he," smiley faces for positive answers and frowny faces for negative answers, plus questioning faces and hearts.  I've also gotten a lot of mileage out of days of the week cards, feelings cards, and weather cards, all stuck to the board as needed. 

I also use monkey magnets with my higher-level students to explain things like the difference between "a monkey" and "the monkey," "he" and "they," etc.  I could just draw little grammatical illustrations, but the monkeys are so much faster. 

[Taya]

I don't think I could live without powerpoint. Last year I almost never used it but this year I am at a middle school where the kids are not very motivated and even the advanced classes don't speak English all that well. Without a bright screen and funny pictures, these kids won't even stay awake.

[foreverJ]

powerpoint
(unused) fly-swatters (for fly swat game - put pictures/words on the board, first student to swat the picture word matching your question, wins) [put the pitures/words on powerpoint instead to save paper. just set the slide to advance after x amount of time, or, if it's a touch-screen, the slide will advance every time it get's swatted.]

[SBracken]

whiteboard, for sure. hands down. I even bought my own markers for those random classes that don't have any.

[astericks]

My computer and the touchboard.

[eider]

I don't think I could live without powerpoint. Last year I almost never used it but this year I am at a middle school where the kids are not very motivated and even the advanced classes don't speak English all that well. Without a bright screen and funny pictures, these kids won't even stay awake.

I agree.

[Death Walrus]

smart board, computer, prezi, outrageous hand gestures, and booming baritone.

[jchoe]

computer/powerpoint and management tools (bell, magnetic faces, point keeping)

[Cy&Leon]

I've been using Barryfunenglish.com more often now for flashcards. I can upload my own pictures/use his if he has it on the website. It saves on paper.
I use a flash program to type out the sentence pattern (because it's pretty). But this can be replaced by a whiteboard easily.

If you like to present on the board a lot, maybe buy those MAGNET clippers. You just need to write on regular paper with a board marker, cut it, and clip it. When you need it, just put it on the board for the expressions.

If you don't have a computer, maybe the school has a laptop you can bring to each class along with a cable to hook up to the TV. Depending on the school, you might have to ask to install a hub (or bring wireless router) in each class so you can have connection to internet  if you need it. It takes time for a technician to come but worth it.

I use point systems. So I made letters to correspond to how many teams there are. The point systems my Co-T is using are apples and bombs. I give out stamps. My Co-T bought small stamps that said "BEST" for a dollar.

[flasyb]

The black board. It's weird. When I start speaking to students they don't seem to listen. I think it's because of the Korean English Program which is based on translating and talking entirely in Korean. I think that because our KETs seem to think that translation is necessary, that attitude infects the students and convinces them that they can't understand without translation. However, when I write on the board I find students not only pay attention but read what I write as I write it. I now find it's best to write questions or short conversations on the board and have them discus it after. That and flashcards because I prefer it when I show a flashcard and they shout "running" or whatever is on the flashcard. It cuts through translation which I abhor. Image association is powerful. Flashcards, acting and my poor drawing skills are all the resources I have at the moment.

[infogoddess]

my brain

[cragesmure]

my brain

As we all do.  I think the point of the post is to point out which resources your brain ultimately lets you know are the most useful and effective in a classroom environment.  Of course it differs from class to class, student to student.  But we all use some more than others.