Invented by accident in 1968, the Post-it Note has become a ubiquitous part of the office and school scene. Everyone from company CEOs to schoolchildren uses Post-it sticky notes to make lists, add annotations to reports, and take notes in meetings and school lessons. Over the years, the removable, reusable adhesive has been used for list pads, page marking flags, and even dry-erase surfaces. One of the newest products that Post-it has recently released is the Post-it Easel Pad. These large notepads have sturdy cardboard backings attached to a stable easel. They are available in plain pages, with primary ruled lines, with grids, or with plain lines.
These easel pads are perfect for classroom use. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Group Projects
With its sturdy base, the Post-it Easel Pad is ideal for group work that encourages brainstorming. Each member of the group can see the ideas generated, and when the learning time is over, the sticky notes can be posted in a prominent place to reinforce them. Additionally, students can keep up with the pages that were written on by sticking them to the wall rather than trying to organize them in a folder or notebook. Here are some ideas for group work with Post-it Easel Pads.
Parts of Speech
While learning the parts of speech, students may benefit from creating word lists in groups. For instance, when learning adjectives, assign each group an animal to be described. On the Post-it Pad, they should make a quick drawing of the animal. On the page surrounding the drawing, they can write adjectives to describe that animal. The pages can be used to create displays to reinforce learning.
Mathematical Properties
Assign each group a mathematical property. They should write the name of the property at the top of the page, and each member of the group should generate an equation to demonstrate that property.
The Effects of Historical Events
To help students brainstorm how events affect outcomes, discuss specific events before you cover them in the curriculum. Allow each group to try to guess how that event changed the society that you are studying. Post the pages on the wall, and after you’ve analyzed that event, see which group came closest to accurately projecting what happened.
Easy Artwork Displays
The large size of Post-it Easel pads makes them ideal for budding artists to express their creativity. These easel pads stand up so students can learn to draw properly without having to keep looking down at the tabletop. Once the artwork is complete, it can be easily displayed in the classroom or at home. Teachers may want to consider creating an art display corner by posting a large rectangle of black paper or black mat boards on the wall. Students can easily switch out their artwork when they create new projects.
Quotes and Poetry
Quotes are a great way to introduce humor, beauty, and inspiration in the classroom. A weekly quote can be displayed prominently in the classroom on the Post-it Easel Pad. Each week, teachers can move the quotes to another part of the classroom where they can continue to provide encouragement throughout the school year. By the end of the year, each class will have a collection of interesting sayings to look back upon.
Poetry is often disliked by students and can seem hard to understand. It often takes study and thought to understand the point that the poet was trying to make. Post-it Easel Pads can allow teachers to write short poems and give students time to meditate on the meaning the poet intended.
With thought, the creative teacher can find even more uses for the Post-it Easel Pad. Whatever class you are teaching, at any grade level, these pads will be an excellent classroom accessory.
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