POINT OUT THE POSITIVE Want to increase your teaching time and spend less time correcting students? Then, point out the positive! Taking time to develop and practice positive reinforcement will create a culture for learning. When teachers focus on and reward positive behavior,students respond eagerly. Here are some thoughts: • Read more…
PARENT COMMUNICATION Have you made three positive contacts with parents? Parents or caregivers are you greatest advocate. Make the effort to contact the parents or caregiver of your students. Show them that you care about their child and that you have their child’s best interest at heart. When writing a Read more…
MAKE EVERY MINUTE WORK FOR YOU! When thinking about specific directions for different classroom situations (such as seatwork, group work, use of manipulatives, etc.) think about the procedures you want your students to follow. Establish procedures for sharpening pencils, lining up, dismissal, use of learning stations, sharing materials and other Read more…
RULES Many teachers choose to develop classroom rules with their students. Some teachers choose to develop their rules before the school year begins and then explain and teach the rules on the first day. The key is to do what is most comfortable for you. Either way, when discussing your Read more…
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Organize your classroom- desks, tables, furniture, etc. Organize materials – books, markers, paper Decide where and how students will turn in paperwork – baskets, file folders, etc. Have a designated area and system for your lesson plans and Read more…
NEW SCHOOL YEAR The new school year is approaching faster than a melting snow cone in August! All teachers, both novice and experienced, are thinking about the new school year and all the things that need to be done. Before you start your “to do” list, take a few minutes Read more…
BLIND SPOTS Have you ever experienced a “near miss” while driving because of a blind spot? In defensive driving it is recommended to check the rear view mirror, the side mirrors, and then look over your left and right shoulders before changing lanes to avoid blind spots. In teaching we Read more…
SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS Do your students know how to study? Do they know the importance of studying? Many teachers take study skills for granted and assume that students already know how to study. Study skills must be taught. If you want your students to be successful, then take the time to Read more…
REFLECT ON YOUR STRENGTHS! The holiday season is over and we are well into the New Year. This is the perfect time to reflect on your various experiences throughout the first semester. What worked for you? What are you good at? What do you need to “polish”? What are your Read more…
EVERY MINUTE COUNTS! Pacing is a challenge for all teachers. Pacing a lesson requires planning and predicting your students’ needs, and taking students’ prior knowledge in to consideration. Always remember that it is better to over plan than to not plan enough. Here are some tips from Julia Thompson from Read more…