A Resource for New Teachers

Starting a new school year is scary enough for veteran educators, but it can be terrifying for new teachers. Julia G. Thompson’s book, The First Year Teacher’s Survival Guide, “gives new teachers a wide variety of tested strategies, activities, and tools for creating a positive and dynamic learning environment while meeting the challenges of each school day.” This book is currently getting rave reviews at Amazon.com and is full of useful strategies for everything from connecting with students to classroom management. Check it out today!

Teach Children the Importance of Proper Nutrition

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 has more than doubled in the past 20 years, from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6%. Helping children understand the importance of diet and exercise now can reduce their risk for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, Read the rest of this entry »

Establish a Brain-Friendly Classroom Environment

As we discuss in all my seminars, there is no more brain-friendly approach to teaching than using strategies. A teacher who greets students in the morning and looks like he or she is excited about the content, process, and outcome of the learning is an integral part of the brain-compatible classroom. Marilee Sprenger, the Brain Lady, uses the following list when creating brain-compatible environments:

• No clear and present dangers. Keeping threat and stress low is imperative for the brain to function at high levels.
• Many procedures and rituals. Procedures and rituals calm the brain and free up working memory.
• Flexible grouping that encourages a sense of community. Brains work better when they are with other brains.
• Adequate wait time and time on task. Some students process slowly and require more time to access information.
• Choice. Choice is the key to brain-compatible classrooms and to differentiation. The brain loves choice because it allows it to problem-solve.
• Curriculum is meaningful. Meaningful curriculum that relates to students’ lives will be memorable. That is not an easy task, but it’s well worth it.
• Formative assessment with timely feedback is used. Ongoing assessment and feedback let the brain know what is expected of it and provide a framework for learning.
• Attractive and peaceful surroundings. An attractive environment might include plants, stuffed animals, colorful posters, student work, and natural lighting. It would also provide some climate control, because the brain works best in temperatures between 68 and 72 degrees.

Movement is critical to enhancing a student’s educational experience! It keeps students alert and awake, increases the flow of blood to the brain, and creates a medium for memory associations.

Unfortunately, movement is often underutilized in the classroom. Why? There may be many reasons, including a lack of familiarity on the part of the teacher. Active educational activities, the idea that movement is ‘too disruptive’ for the students, and lack of time in a test-driven educational world are common challenges. To help overcome these and other obstacles, guest contributor Fritz Bell, includes 12 time efficient, easy-to-implement movement ideas that you can use in your classroom.

Many of the students in your class are Bodily-Kinesthetic learners.  They learn through their bodies and they need to move.  They wiggle and squirm.  The following ideas Read the rest of this entry »

Transition With Song

Kindergarten teacher Marna Ingerson of Lancaster Schools writes, “All of my transitional directions are sung. ‘Line up! Line up! Everybody line up!’ Directions for activities: ‘Turn your eyes up here, up here’. Repeat and point up or down or left or to the chart. Then we begin to read, write, etc. We sing a thank you song for our guest speakers, volunteers, etc. ‘Thank you! Thank you! Thank you very much, Mr/Mrs ___________.’ We deal with respect and consideration of others constantly.”

Singing instructions to children early in their education is a marvelous way to introduce music to learning as well as a unique way to help students transition and to draw attention. Try it and see how it works for you!

For more help with using music in the classroom, visit www.songsforteaching.com for downloads, cds, and other sources to promote learning on any subject with music.

Duringe a recent round of seminars, a couple of participants left me with some ideas for keeping things organized in their classrooms. Olivia Valencic uses a small tackle box to store markers, highlighters, sticky notes, etc. Just put it on the table and everything is right where students can find it and keep it organized.

Nancy Gallaher uses Wikki Stix in her Read the rest of this entry »

Tough Times for Teachers

As we continue to face issues with today’s economy, school’s and teachers in some parts of the country are feeling the crunch. I’ve recommended Teachers.net before, and even published articles in their gazette. Now its time to point you to some other important resources.

• This March’s gazette has an article on Economic Relief for Teachers.
• The Job Center offers a current listing of job openings sorted by state.
• The Tutors Chatboard offers information and ideas about how to increase your income by tutoring in your spare time.

Here’s an opportunity that I feel worth passing on to you:

4 Day Storytelling Course with Judith Blackin the seaport town of Marblehead, MA 01945 June 22, 24, 25,  2009

Read the rest of this entry »

Mnemonic devices are excellent tools for teachers who want to help their students remember important facts. An interesting and fun exercise that I talk about in my seminars is to have your students try to come up with their own mnemonic devices.

Practice Mnemonics as a Group

I’ve had more success with ‘group’ mnemonics than individual student mnemonics. If the entire group or class has the same memory trick, then Read the rest of this entry »

Power Writing Supports Long Term Memory and Writing Skills

Pat Murray, from Greater Latrose High School in Latrose, PA uses power writing as a technique to help transfer information from short term to long term memory. She suggests that students power write about what they’ve learned for 3 minutes immediately following a 15 minute lecture. Visual learners could also add stick-figure drawings to provide memory cues and enhance what they write.

Power writing can also be used as a way to improve writing skill. Mr. Smiddy, of Staunton Elementary, defines power writing as “a method of writing designed to improve students’ writing through a three step process.

The beginning step teaches Read the rest of this entry »