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Tasks for Classroom Volunteers or Student Assistants September 1st, 2010
As a high school teacher, I didn’t have the parents lining up at my door to volunteer like my colleagues in the elementary school did. I had one parent volunteer and a few student aides, though. Sometimes having a student assistant is more trouble than it’s worth because you spend half of your planning period either tracking them down or instructing them on what to do.
I’ve learned that with student assistants or parent volunteers, it’s best to outline your expectations from the beginning so that there are no misunderstandings. Unfortunately, I didn’t do that with my parent volunteer and she ran amok. Eventually, I had to go to my principal to rein the parent in.
Use Student Music to Build Rapport, Increase Engagement August 30th, 2010
One of the things I love about National Public Radio is listening to the bumper music between segments. After the program, I often visit their online site to find out just what the music was and whether or not I can find a copy of it.
Music is universal. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t like music or who doesn’t have a preference for a particular sound. For a teen, his music is synonymous with his group of friends and his clothing. It’s a part of his identity.
Shutting Down Brainstorm Session Saboteurs August 25th, 2010
The purpose of a good Brainstorming session is to have a shower of ideas from which to choose. I like to use Brainstorming when I’m asking the class for input on a project rubric, project topic ideas, and possible endings for the novel we’re reading.
Like anything else, good procedures make the Brainstorming session go smoothly. I set down the procedures early in the year and use a transparency to remind the class of my expectations every time we Brainstorm. Sure, it’s redundant, but I think that the sessions go more smoothly when everyone understands what to do.
10 Alternative Assessments for Homework August 23rd, 2010
Homework is a dreaded word for many of our students. To them, homework means endless problem sets, memorizing vocabulary, or filling in the blanks. It’s hard for many kids to find a quiet place at home for homework or even a quiet place on the bus ride to the JV basketball game.
Extending classroom learning outside the school walls is a great idea; it reinforces objectives and makes for better classroom discussions. But the same ol’ read-and-respond assignments get dull. It’s good for everyone to mix up the assessments. After all, the brain loves novelty.
Upcoming Seminars
- Classroom Management Tips September 2, 2010
- Dealing with Student Discipline September 9, 2010
- Developing Higher Order Thinking Skills for Educationally Disadvantaged Students September 16, 2010
- Electronic Data Security for School Administrators September 20, 2010
- Breaking Barriers: How Teachers Can Help Black Males Achieve September 23, 2010
- A Dozen Mentoring Strategies to Help the New Teacher Next Door September 27, 2010
- Middle School Classroom Management September 30, 2010
- Electronic Data Safety for Teachers October 4, 2010
- The Perfect E-Storm Emerging Technologies, Enormous Demand, and Erased Budgets October 7, 2010
- 5 Ways Teachers Can Close the Achievement Gap October 14, 2010
- The Sexting Problem and Possible Responses October 18, 2010
- Discipline with Dignity October 21, 2010
- Ten Things that Successful New Teachers Do October 25, 2010
- Prepare for Natural Disasters and Outbreaks with Blended Learning October 28, 2010
- Cheating Part I: Changing School Culture November 1, 2010
- Cyberbullying: Awareness and Prevention November 4, 2010
- Cheating Part II: Addressing Cheating in the Classroom November 8, 2010
- Teaching Content Outrageously November 11, 2010
- The Broadband Act: Protecting Children & Teaching Online Safety November 15, 2010
- Communicating with Parents and Community Stakeholders November 18, 2010
- Helping Girls Cope with and Communicate about Social Aggression December 2, 2010
- Motivating Unmotivated Students December 9, 2010
- Ways to Improve Staff Culture to Benefit Teaching and Learning December 16, 2010
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