Encyclopedia Britannica has decided after over 200 years, to stop printing books.
Many teachers will rue this event. How many of us grew up going to classrooms with a set of encyclopedias? Remember having to do reports by hand?
There was always something special about flipping through a real book.
Encyclopedia Britannica was just not selling many any more. They sold a little over 8,000 sets last year. How many hits do you think wikipedia gets daily?
Wikipedia can never replace a real encyclopedia. Hopefully, teachers will still steer their students to those.
And since there are probably old sets just laying around, nothing says that a teachers cannot still get a set and put in his or her classroom.
Eventually everything will be online. What with smartphones and tablet PCs, it's just a matter of time.
This does mean that "books" will be cheaper. But there is nothing like the feel of a book in your hands. Let's hope today's children can keep on experiencing that.
>Home Loans for Teachers
>How to be a Teacher and Find a Teaching Job
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Dress code for teachers?
Should we have a dress code for teachers? There seems to be a growing number of teachers who feel they can show up to teach wearing just about anything. But what does that say about the teacher? That they are lazy? They don't care about their appearance? Teachers really need to step up to the plate and start dressing the part. Are teachers professionals, or is is teaching just another job that one can show up wearing whatever one wants?
You can say that clothes don't matter. That teachers have a right to wear whatever feels comfortable. Maybe even that looking at clothes is kind of shallow. But I beg to differ. Our clothing gives off the first impression to people. The clothes that we make a choice to wear, each and every day in school, does indeed give off some sort of a statement. That statement is made to our students, other teachers, and certainly out principals. What kind of message are you sending? That you don't care about your appearance? That you were too lazy to put on anything better? If teachers really want to earn respect about the profession, they can start with their in-classroom wardrobe. Seriously. Why should we not want to convey the best opinion about us?
Teachers, use your style of dress as an opportunity for a teaching moment. Model good behavior and life skills to your students. Getting up in plenty of time to put on a decent set of clothes is certainly something students need to learn is valuable. It makes you employable, for one.
For some reason, teachers feel the need to be free. To dress any which way. The problem is this: We are substituting freedom for logic and reason. You can have freedom.
Freedom does not mean wearing a tank top and shorts to school. Freedom means one can choose a professional wardrobe with many options and ways to accessorize if one chooses. In fact, the more professional your wardrobe becomes, the more option and freedom you have to make a unique statement about you.
Like it our not, jeans and a t-shirt convey bum. Lazy. Non-professional.
But there is also a BIG plus for teachers who dress professional. It's about classroom respect, control, and being taken of seriously.
From day one, if you look the part, dress sharp, like you mean business and are professional, you can make quite an impression. Why would you not want every edge you can get when walking into a classroom?
So before teachers scream freedom, just think of the thoughts that go through your mind throughout the day as you pass strangers. The first impression is what they are wearing and how they are dressed. We expect doctors, nurses, bankers, even cashiers at the supermarket to look some-what professional. Why are we putting the bar lower for teachers?
And one last thing. The dress code is certainly more important as one moves up in grades. How can a high school have a dress code for students, and allow teachers to dress unprofessionally?
Just a note. Even teachers in lower grades, even kindergarten, may feel the need to dress so they can get messy. But one can also choose professional clothes no matter what the grade.
>>Buy American Forum
>Home Loans for Teachers
>College Money Secrets
You can say that clothes don't matter. That teachers have a right to wear whatever feels comfortable. Maybe even that looking at clothes is kind of shallow. But I beg to differ. Our clothing gives off the first impression to people. The clothes that we make a choice to wear, each and every day in school, does indeed give off some sort of a statement. That statement is made to our students, other teachers, and certainly out principals. What kind of message are you sending? That you don't care about your appearance? That you were too lazy to put on anything better? If teachers really want to earn respect about the profession, they can start with their in-classroom wardrobe. Seriously. Why should we not want to convey the best opinion about us?
Teachers, use your style of dress as an opportunity for a teaching moment. Model good behavior and life skills to your students. Getting up in plenty of time to put on a decent set of clothes is certainly something students need to learn is valuable. It makes you employable, for one.
For some reason, teachers feel the need to be free. To dress any which way. The problem is this: We are substituting freedom for logic and reason. You can have freedom.
Freedom does not mean wearing a tank top and shorts to school. Freedom means one can choose a professional wardrobe with many options and ways to accessorize if one chooses. In fact, the more professional your wardrobe becomes, the more option and freedom you have to make a unique statement about you.
Like it our not, jeans and a t-shirt convey bum. Lazy. Non-professional.
But there is also a BIG plus for teachers who dress professional. It's about classroom respect, control, and being taken of seriously.
From day one, if you look the part, dress sharp, like you mean business and are professional, you can make quite an impression. Why would you not want every edge you can get when walking into a classroom?
So before teachers scream freedom, just think of the thoughts that go through your mind throughout the day as you pass strangers. The first impression is what they are wearing and how they are dressed. We expect doctors, nurses, bankers, even cashiers at the supermarket to look some-what professional. Why are we putting the bar lower for teachers?
And one last thing. The dress code is certainly more important as one moves up in grades. How can a high school have a dress code for students, and allow teachers to dress unprofessionally?
Just a note. Even teachers in lower grades, even kindergarten, may feel the need to dress so they can get messy. But one can also choose professional clothes no matter what the grade.
>>Buy American Forum
>Home Loans for Teachers
>College Money Secrets
Thursday, September 1, 2011
What teachers wish parents would do
Are you a parent? Do you know your child's teacher? Did you know there are a few things that teachers wish parents would do? Here are just some of the many things parents can do to make a teacher's job a little easier.
First of all, you have to stay in touch with the teacher. Get the teacher's email and ask questions. Above all, you have got to make sure you receive all notes and written notices and assignments sent home. It is a good idea to ask the student each day for these notes. It is not a bad idea to actually go through a child's backpack looking for relevant notes and assignments. You should not use the excuse that you did not see a notice. If your school does email, see if any important notices are posted online or emailed.
Teachers wish children came to school with basis survival skills. What are these? Well, for starters, tying shoes! If you send your child to school with shoes that have laces, shame on you if the child cannot tie them alone. Yes, we know you like to take care of your child, but you also need to make them independent.
Turn off the TV, video games, and computers for at least a little while in the afternoon or evening. Children need active playtime and also time to study and do homework. Unplugging and playing active games will teach them skills as well.
Take a personal interest in your child and their day. Have conversations with them specifically about what they did. It will help your child grow and let you in on what goes on at school. You and your child both need this. Do this daily, and the talks will become longer, more meaningful, and maybe set the stage for lifetime communication.
Just for fun: The Truth About teachers!
>>How to be a teacher and get a teaching job.
>>Average Teachers Salary.
First of all, you have to stay in touch with the teacher. Get the teacher's email and ask questions. Above all, you have got to make sure you receive all notes and written notices and assignments sent home. It is a good idea to ask the student each day for these notes. It is not a bad idea to actually go through a child's backpack looking for relevant notes and assignments. You should not use the excuse that you did not see a notice. If your school does email, see if any important notices are posted online or emailed.
Teachers wish children came to school with basis survival skills. What are these? Well, for starters, tying shoes! If you send your child to school with shoes that have laces, shame on you if the child cannot tie them alone. Yes, we know you like to take care of your child, but you also need to make them independent.
Turn off the TV, video games, and computers for at least a little while in the afternoon or evening. Children need active playtime and also time to study and do homework. Unplugging and playing active games will teach them skills as well.
Take a personal interest in your child and their day. Have conversations with them specifically about what they did. It will help your child grow and let you in on what goes on at school. You and your child both need this. Do this daily, and the talks will become longer, more meaningful, and maybe set the stage for lifetime communication.
Just for fun: The Truth About teachers!
>>How to be a teacher and get a teaching job.
>>Average Teachers Salary.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Teachers, put down the books and do something!
Ever hear students say how boring school is? That's probably the number one complaint. Not that they hate school, exactly, but that they are bored. Or do things that are just not worthwhile as far as they are concerned.
So teachers, put down the textbook and give them something to do!
Before we go any farther, let's stop for a minute. You can't just have fun. The district and state have mandated curriculum. So everything you do must be introducing or enforcing state standards.
Here are some examples of what you can do to make your instruction interesting. And students do not have to know that the core curriculum is involved!
Have a paper free day. Even a whiteboard, overhead, or chalkboard free day. Let the whole class do a discussion on a topic. This works well for social studies and history, but other subjects can do it as well. The trick is to weave some state standards into the discussion. No writing. No collecting. No grading. All students who are in class that day get credit. That's makes it easy for you as well! You'll be amazed at how the discussion twists and turns. You are the facilitator, pointing out things that are indeed part of the curriculum.
Let them do an art project. Any subject can do this. For example, math students can do a drawing using only rectangles, parallel lines, etc. and measurements must be given. How are the shapes related? You can come up with more on your own. History could be drawing an artifact, or even a whole scene from a historical event. Students must be able to explain their picture. A picture is worth a thousand words. Other subjects can be creative as well. It does not have to be a picture. It could be a collage, a mobile, anything that has some value for the standards. Art is not just for art class.
For elementary students, there is more to choose from. You can have an outside garden. Learning about insects, flowers, plants, rocks, etc. You can have indoor plants. Assigning students to care for them. Students could even keep a small plant on their tables. Small animals are another. Take them outside for a walk around the school grounds. Have your students read to each other. You could dress up as historical characters. Learn and cook food. Craft projects are certainly something any subject could have.
This is a short article, meant only to get you interested in letting your students do something. Put down the textbook and give them some real hands-on learning. As a teacher, you should be able to expand the list above and never hear a student say they are bored in your class again.
>>Engage your students.
>>College Money Secrets
>>Backup power in an emergency-Power Generators.
So teachers, put down the textbook and give them something to do!
Before we go any farther, let's stop for a minute. You can't just have fun. The district and state have mandated curriculum. So everything you do must be introducing or enforcing state standards.
Here are some examples of what you can do to make your instruction interesting. And students do not have to know that the core curriculum is involved!
Have a paper free day. Even a whiteboard, overhead, or chalkboard free day. Let the whole class do a discussion on a topic. This works well for social studies and history, but other subjects can do it as well. The trick is to weave some state standards into the discussion. No writing. No collecting. No grading. All students who are in class that day get credit. That's makes it easy for you as well! You'll be amazed at how the discussion twists and turns. You are the facilitator, pointing out things that are indeed part of the curriculum.
Let them do an art project. Any subject can do this. For example, math students can do a drawing using only rectangles, parallel lines, etc. and measurements must be given. How are the shapes related? You can come up with more on your own. History could be drawing an artifact, or even a whole scene from a historical event. Students must be able to explain their picture. A picture is worth a thousand words. Other subjects can be creative as well. It does not have to be a picture. It could be a collage, a mobile, anything that has some value for the standards. Art is not just for art class.
For elementary students, there is more to choose from. You can have an outside garden. Learning about insects, flowers, plants, rocks, etc. You can have indoor plants. Assigning students to care for them. Students could even keep a small plant on their tables. Small animals are another. Take them outside for a walk around the school grounds. Have your students read to each other. You could dress up as historical characters. Learn and cook food. Craft projects are certainly something any subject could have.
This is a short article, meant only to get you interested in letting your students do something. Put down the textbook and give them some real hands-on learning. As a teacher, you should be able to expand the list above and never hear a student say they are bored in your class again.
>>Engage your students.
>>College Money Secrets
>>Backup power in an emergency-Power Generators.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Free rewards for students
Yes, that's right FREE! If you teach, you know how you can really spend money on your classroom for things like rewards. Anything from candy to stickers, from toys to pens or pencils. While we always look for cheap rewards bought in bulk, we still are spending money. And maybe putting the wrong impression on students. That they need a sore-bought reward in order to behave. So what do you do? Is there really free rewards that teachers can pass out? You bet there is! Keep in mind that these free rewards are best suited for elementary school classrooms.
The teaching rewards handed out will be suited for tables, individuals, or maybe the whole class. Before we begin with the rewards, we should mention that we are not going to talk about how and when to give them out. That is entirely up to the teacher withing class and school rules. So, here we go!
Free student rewards!
Lunch with the teacher. You can have students eat in the classroom with you, or sit at a lunch table next to the reward winners.
Going to recess early. Obviously you must check with the school rules and you must be on duty until the regular recess begins.
Go for a walk on the school grounds on a nice day. Again, it must be within the rules. You can even disguise it as a fun activity and put a little teaching in it as well.
Have a special piece of clothing or accessory that can be worn in class. You really need to be careful about this one. Special hats may be a problem with hygiene. There are things like vests that may be safe. Even a large necklace.
Teacher's helper. This student gets to pass out papers and other things during the day.
A special desk location. Have a desk in a special place, like next to the teacher's desk that is a "special" seat. Make it special by decorating it and making it fancy colors or theme.
A stuffed animal day. Students are allowed to bring their favorite stuff animal to school and sit with it all day long. This can be individual or class reward.
A great note or phone call home. Send special notes about students or call home for great work and behavior.
Board eraser. Let a student erase the board all day long when you finish.
Visit another classroom. If you have older students, say 3rd grade and above, chances are the kindergarten teacher would allow them to visit to help. Kids love helping out. Maybe even other grades will allow your students to come and "help" out in their classrooms too.
The school you are working at probably has supplies needed for some of these "free" rewards.
Hopefully after reading this list, you can now come up with more on your own!
>>How to motivate students.
>>Confrontational students.
Thanks for visiting the Teachers Blog. Be sure and visit TeachersIndex.com for more great teaching tips!
*
The teaching rewards handed out will be suited for tables, individuals, or maybe the whole class. Before we begin with the rewards, we should mention that we are not going to talk about how and when to give them out. That is entirely up to the teacher withing class and school rules. So, here we go!
Free student rewards!
Lunch with the teacher. You can have students eat in the classroom with you, or sit at a lunch table next to the reward winners.
Going to recess early. Obviously you must check with the school rules and you must be on duty until the regular recess begins.
Go for a walk on the school grounds on a nice day. Again, it must be within the rules. You can even disguise it as a fun activity and put a little teaching in it as well.
Have a special piece of clothing or accessory that can be worn in class. You really need to be careful about this one. Special hats may be a problem with hygiene. There are things like vests that may be safe. Even a large necklace.
Teacher's helper. This student gets to pass out papers and other things during the day.
A special desk location. Have a desk in a special place, like next to the teacher's desk that is a "special" seat. Make it special by decorating it and making it fancy colors or theme.
A stuffed animal day. Students are allowed to bring their favorite stuff animal to school and sit with it all day long. This can be individual or class reward.
A great note or phone call home. Send special notes about students or call home for great work and behavior.
Board eraser. Let a student erase the board all day long when you finish.
Visit another classroom. If you have older students, say 3rd grade and above, chances are the kindergarten teacher would allow them to visit to help. Kids love helping out. Maybe even other grades will allow your students to come and "help" out in their classrooms too.
The school you are working at probably has supplies needed for some of these "free" rewards.
Hopefully after reading this list, you can now come up with more on your own!
>>How to motivate students.
>>Confrontational students.
Thanks for visiting the Teachers Blog. Be sure and visit TeachersIndex.com for more great teaching tips!
*
Monday, July 11, 2011
New Teachers, Test Scores, and other Myths
A lot has been written and broadcast over the past several months about unions and tenure. How tenure is keeping bad teachers in and layoffs are keeping good teachers out.
The myth is that veteran teachers are bad and new teachers are better. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Each teacher must be looked upon as an individual. Too many times when you see a new teacher get laid off, you think that the district just let go a fantastic teacher that would have changed the world. We know that's just not the case. New teachers can be bad. Very bad. They can also be good. Very good. But we seem to equate "new" teacher with "great" teacher. We can't in reality do that.
Students only get one shot. We can't say because a teacher is new, enthusiastic, and has different ideas, that suddenly we have a great teacher. This makes us look at veteran teachers as being something less. That they are old, tired, and do things in ways that are not conducive to learning. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Is the system unfair? Perhaps. But in education, experience counts for a lot. There are things that a teacher must learn and master over time.
The system may need to be changed. But we need to stop villifying veteran teachers as a whole. And just because a teacher is new, does not make them effective.
Which leads to standardized test scores. LAUSD is using a value added system to find effective teachers. Test scores are one part. People keep complaining about teachers teaching to the the test. Nothing could be further from the truth either. Effective teachers teach the state mandated curriculum in effective ways that get results on standardized tests. They don't teach to the test. In fact, many teachers that may actually "teach to the test" are not effective at offering up the curriculum, and, their students do poorly.
One key ingredient in successful test taking, is interest and enthusiasm. Teachers that are effective will instill a responsibility in students to do their best. Not just sleep walk through the test.
Standardized testing is here to stay. It is not right that teachers complain about them. Many careers, from plumbers to doctors, and lawyers to contractors, must pass tests. Students cannot get a drivers license without passing a writtne, multiple choice test. Is a high school education any less valuable than a drivers license? If we can demand that our drivers on the highways pass a written test, how more so our students?
>Baby, New Mother, and Breastfeeding Resources
>Home Loans for Teachers
>How to be a Teacher and Find a Teaching Job
===================================
The myth is that veteran teachers are bad and new teachers are better. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Each teacher must be looked upon as an individual. Too many times when you see a new teacher get laid off, you think that the district just let go a fantastic teacher that would have changed the world. We know that's just not the case. New teachers can be bad. Very bad. They can also be good. Very good. But we seem to equate "new" teacher with "great" teacher. We can't in reality do that.
Students only get one shot. We can't say because a teacher is new, enthusiastic, and has different ideas, that suddenly we have a great teacher. This makes us look at veteran teachers as being something less. That they are old, tired, and do things in ways that are not conducive to learning. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Is the system unfair? Perhaps. But in education, experience counts for a lot. There are things that a teacher must learn and master over time.
The system may need to be changed. But we need to stop villifying veteran teachers as a whole. And just because a teacher is new, does not make them effective.
Which leads to standardized test scores. LAUSD is using a value added system to find effective teachers. Test scores are one part. People keep complaining about teachers teaching to the the test. Nothing could be further from the truth either. Effective teachers teach the state mandated curriculum in effective ways that get results on standardized tests. They don't teach to the test. In fact, many teachers that may actually "teach to the test" are not effective at offering up the curriculum, and, their students do poorly.
One key ingredient in successful test taking, is interest and enthusiasm. Teachers that are effective will instill a responsibility in students to do their best. Not just sleep walk through the test.
Standardized testing is here to stay. It is not right that teachers complain about them. Many careers, from plumbers to doctors, and lawyers to contractors, must pass tests. Students cannot get a drivers license without passing a writtne, multiple choice test. Is a high school education any less valuable than a drivers license? If we can demand that our drivers on the highways pass a written test, how more so our students?
>Baby, New Mother, and Breastfeeding Resources
>Home Loans for Teachers
>How to be a Teacher and Find a Teaching Job
===================================
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Teachers and Homework Policy
The L.A. Unified School District just made a major district wide policy change regarding homework. No teacher can count more than 10% of a student's grade from homework.
There were several reasons for this. They don't want students passing classes and getting credit from busy work. Teachers, admit it. Your homework most of the time is busy work.
Teachers should be grading students on skills and performance, not completed work.
Do you know another perk from this policy? Teachers may feel a little better when they don't assign homework. Less work to collect, grade, and record. Less work for you is a good thing.
Not all students have a home life or situation that is conducive to doing the many types of homework teachers are inclined to give. The best homework for all students, is work that can be done by everyone.
You don't want to saddle students with work just because. Sadly, many administrators and principals want teachers to assign tons of homework.
And how about teachers who give homework as a punishment? (Most students feel it is a punishment anyway.) It makes students think badly about school and school work. If it is seen as a punishment, how eager are students to show up for your class? You want a positive classroom as much as possible.
Homework should never be a drudgery or an onerous chore. It should be an enriching, enjoyable learning experience. Don't you think it's silly to give out 50 of the same problems? Math teachers are most guilty of this.
The best place to do 50 problems is in your class. You are the teacher and facilitator. What help can the students really get outside of class?
Don't assign homework on a Thursday night. This will give you less to collect and grade over the weekend. Your weekends should be as free as can be to lower your stress.
>>Read more tips on teachers creating and assigning homework.
>>Lower Teacher Stress.
===
There were several reasons for this. They don't want students passing classes and getting credit from busy work. Teachers, admit it. Your homework most of the time is busy work.
Teachers should be grading students on skills and performance, not completed work.
Do you know another perk from this policy? Teachers may feel a little better when they don't assign homework. Less work to collect, grade, and record. Less work for you is a good thing.
Not all students have a home life or situation that is conducive to doing the many types of homework teachers are inclined to give. The best homework for all students, is work that can be done by everyone.
You don't want to saddle students with work just because. Sadly, many administrators and principals want teachers to assign tons of homework.
And how about teachers who give homework as a punishment? (Most students feel it is a punishment anyway.) It makes students think badly about school and school work. If it is seen as a punishment, how eager are students to show up for your class? You want a positive classroom as much as possible.
Homework should never be a drudgery or an onerous chore. It should be an enriching, enjoyable learning experience. Don't you think it's silly to give out 50 of the same problems? Math teachers are most guilty of this.
The best place to do 50 problems is in your class. You are the teacher and facilitator. What help can the students really get outside of class?
Don't assign homework on a Thursday night. This will give you less to collect and grade over the weekend. Your weekends should be as free as can be to lower your stress.
>>Read more tips on teachers creating and assigning homework.
>>Lower Teacher Stress.
===
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