Articles Tagged With: Classroom Management
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How to Measure Your Effectiveness as a Teacher
Effective teachers matter, and they matter quite a bit. In a study done by three Harvard and Columbia researchers, it was found that “students with highly effective elementary- and middle-school teachers were more likely to go to college, had lower teenage pregnancy rates and earned more as adults.” (Source)
But how do we measure educator effectiveness? Finding the answer to this question has been known to cause intense, passionate discussions; however, the move toward more structured educator effectiveness systems is actually a good thing. It shows that we care about empowering … -
Brain-based learning: Teaching to the Brain
image from iStock
Brain Awareness Week is a worldwide campaign that brings schools, families, and communities together to celebrate the brain—and it begins next week (March 11-17). So in honor of this celebration, I plan to focus this post around a teaching technique known as brain-based learning.
You may ask, isn’t all learning brain-based? Not exactly. With brain-based learning, specific methods are brought in that allow the brain’s natural learning processes to function. Its core principles state that (from HERE):Each brain is unique
The brain can perform several activities at once
Learning involves … -
Tactics for Teaching English-Language Learners
Teaching English-Language Learners (ELLs) is one of my favorite topics. I’ve taught ELLs in three countries overseas and have volunteered in ELL settings in the U.S. It is wonderful how common it is for classrooms in the U.S. to be filled with many different language speakers–but it is also extremely challenging for both teachers and students.
Because this is so common, it is important for every educator to understand that they will need to step into the shoes of a language teacher at some point. So, when that time comes—or if … -
Dealing with Classroom Distractions during the Holidays
We have all experienced excitement around the holiday season– When will there be snow? What will Aunt Jane give me this year? What will I pack for the holiday-break getaway? Our minds find it difficult to think of anything else!
In the classroom, this can be a huge problem. The enthusiasm from the season has the ability to steal students’ minds from learning and fixate them on life outside of education. Here are some ways you can deal with their distracted minds:image via iStock
Strategize where you will place students when they …
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How to Manage an Online Student Discussion
The concept of blended learning has gone viral on the Internet and in classrooms. For those who aren’t familiar, blended learning is a method that takes traditional in-class teaching and interlaces it with an online element. The beautiful thing about blended learning is that it prepares students to be a digital citizen, which is a must-have skill in a society full of technology. One vital element to digital citizenship, and what is considered to be a 21st century skill, is the ability to communicate effectively. To be a great conversationalist, …
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Back-To-School Checklist for the Classroom
Getting ready for a new school year can be an overwhelming task for teachers. One of the best ways to prepare is compiling a back-to-school checklist of items that will need to be done or acquired for the classroom. We have created a small list of objects and activities to get you started:
Name tags for students- This will help you and your students learn names to faces much quicker.
Review student files- This will prepare you of any problem behaviors and learning challenges you may encounter.
Camera- Pin photos … -
Parent-Teacher Communication Starts Now!
The start of a new school year can be intimidating for both the parent and teacher, especially when it comes to meeting each other for the first time. Typically, teachers will host a “Meet the Teacher” night at the beginning of the year to not only highlight classroom expectations, but open lines of communication with parents. Although discussing curriculum and goals are important, teachers should use this night to really promote parent involvement! Hopefully, “Meet the Teacher” night will help take dialogue with parents past the parent-teacher conference or concerning …
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Reflecting Upon the Previous School Year
After the hoopla of final exams, classroom cleanup, and farewells, the life of a teacher dramatically slows down- at least for a moment. When that unusually quiet moment happens for a teacher, it is important that time is set aside to reflect upon the previous school year. Were young minds nourished? Was curriculum understood and implemented? Did you encourage students? Were you a proponent of innovation and creativity? Did you learn and excel as an educator?
Reflection and self-evaluation is no easy task for a teacher. With the mile-long list of …
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End of the Year Classroom Checklist
Although educators everywhere are itching for summer break, we all know the work doesn’t end with the ringing of the school bell! As the students skip into the summer sunset, teachers are left to complete the many tasks that need to be accomplished in order for break to begin. With the many responsibilities of teachers at the forefront of our minds, we thought it may be fun to compile an End of the Year Classroom Checklist! Hopefully this checklist will organize your thoughts and help get summer vacation underway!
Print Out …
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Welcome Back-to-School!
Gone are the lazy days of summer. Days filled with trips to the pool, and evenings spent sitting on the back patio with friends. August is long gone and we have welcomed in September. Days are getting shorter. Weather has slowly begun to change. Life has started to speed up again. School is back in session. Often times this means new students, new relationships, and possibly a new classroom or school. WELCOME BACK!