GRATITUDE “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” Albert Schweitzer It is so easy to get caught up in the minutia and Read more…
TALK MOVES We all know that it’s important to ask probing, high order questions to challenge students to think and to check for understanding. But how do you ask questions in a way that encourages students to think, and in a way that is different from randomly calling on Read more…
KEEP YOUR STUDENTS FOCUSED! As we approach the holiday season, it seems our students sense the frenzy and begin to test their teachers’ patience. Here are some ideas to help keep your students focused and on task. For some inexplicable reason, at this time of year, students forget that there Read more…
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PART 2 At a recent conference I attended, some of the most popular sessions with standing room only crowds, were those addressing the issue of Student Engagement. Keeping students motivated and engaged throughout the class period is challenging. Today’s students are used to action packed video games, the Read more…
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT What is student engagement? Many teachers, experienced and novice teachers alike, are puzzled by this question. It seems obvious, doesn’t it? Student engagement means that students are “engaged”; that they are active and participating in the lesson. Isn’t that obvious? Or, is it? Student engagement means much more Read more…
PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE! Effective teachers treat all of their students with dignity and respect and focus on the positive. It’s only human nature to zero in on what’s wrong and to correct our students. We must remember, however, whether through negative behavior or positive behavior, students want your (the teacher’s) Read more…
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…
BRAIN BREAKS Brain breaks have become a recent trend in education. The rationale behind this trend is that the breaks are refreshing to both teachers as well as to students. Some educators say that the efficiency of students goes up when brain breaks are incorporated into the school day. Brain Read more…
ESTABLISHING 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 Read more…
TOP 10 THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 1. Organize your classroom- desks, tables, furniture, etc. 2. Organize materials – books, markers, paper 3. Decide where and how students will turn in paperwork – baskets, file folders, etc. 4. Have a designated area and system for your Read more…