TheApple

The overarching goal of education is that kids LEARN the material, and let’s face it, not all kids learn at the same pace. I have a unique approach to late work. I encourage students to turn their work in early by offering extra credit incentives. I do charge a 5% penalty to work that is turned in late, but I always ...

Depending on where your school is located, finding good class volunteers may be a tough job. If you follow the tips below, you might find that volunteers can be your best asset for pulling off great class projects and making a hectic day manageable. h4. Who Wants to Volunteer? There are two types of parents who will be willing to volunteer- ...

Ask the next ten teachers you meet why they picked education as a career and the majority will tell you that the decision was all about making a difference. The ones that have remained true to this mission, positive and dedicated in spite of countless challenges, frustrations, budget cuts, and much more, are those admirable leaders known as intentional teachers. Are ...

Margaret Mead, American anthropologist said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Throughout history the drafting of a powerful document of intent by a small group of impassioned people has been the first step to a radical and long lasting change in the world. In 1774, ...

An ethical classroom, like a good home, is ideally a place of learning, sharing, trust, nurturing, personal and spiritual growth, and peace. Places that engender such feelings among those who thrive there are built around a consciousness and respect of ethical concepts. Beneficence (goodness), veracity (truth), autonomy (sense of self), justice (meaning fairness), and non-maleficence (the responsibility to do no harm) ...

Those who can, do…ONLY because they once had great teachers. Education in the United States has lost some of its luster over the years since the first colonial schools opened more than two hundred years ago. At one time, one room classrooms were presided over by knowledgeable men and women, carefully chosen in the hopes that they could help to develop ...

Your students may be cheating, but do you know how? Here's what to watch out for: • Stealing a copy of a test • Helping someone else cheat • Stealing a test key • Pretending to sharpen pencils while looking for answers instead • Passing notes during a test • Telling classmates who have not taken a test what was ...

When your students take quizzes and tests, they should not cheat and they should not disturb others who may be struggling with an answer. You can prevent both of these from invalidating an assignment by teaching and enforcing rules for your students to follow while taking a quiz or test. These rules will make it easier for you to give quizzes ...

When you suspect a student of cheating, be certain you have enough evidence before you speak to the student. Begin by speaking privately with the child. Do not be confrontational; instead, remain calm as you present your point of view. If, after talking with the student, you are still sure that cheating has taken place; you must follow your school’s guidelines ...

“In the world of classroom gardening, I can change that weed into a flower. How do we do that as teachers? By doing exactly the opposite of what I did for the first few days. Concentrate on the good behavior. Look at the flowers. Don’t ignore the weed, but don’t make him or her the focal point of your room either. ...

Statistics show that in the last year approximately 1 in 10 children have experienced some form of maltreatment.* Teachers and school staff are have a unique ability to monitor children's health and well-being on a daily basis. Sudden changes in mood, behavior, or health may only be apparent to those closest to the child. Many abused or neglected children are too ...

Is it unconstitutional for school officials to detain a student without notifying her parent? And is it unlawful for a school resource officer to detain a student long enough to deliver her to a school official for investigation of a school offense? Two cases that reached the appellate level in their respective jurisdictions address these questions. h4. Detention w/o Notification OK ...

Drama: a word that used to terrify me, but in the past week has inspired me! Until completing a research project for one of my graduate courses, the thought of me having anything to do with drama beyond mere appreciation was unheard of. I was an extremely quiet and shy child and the thought of even speaking out in class was ...

What happens when communication breaks down? School life doesn't run smoothly. TheApple did some investigating, and we hope the results of our efforts will help educators, principals and parents communicate more effectively. 10 Things Your Students Won't Tell You 15 Confessions from Principals 10 Things Parents Don't Tell Teachers

Dear Julia- In Calif. I owned my own home based pre-school so that no one else would babysit my own kids. And, I would be home when they got home from school. This lasted 13 years of 55 hour weeks or more. All three kids are at UNLV now. (We moved) and the boys are Eagle Scouts. Their majors are physics, ...

Answer the following True/False Questions. The answers and explanations are below each question. 1. It’s never too late to attempt to motivate even the most reluctant learners. 1. True: Experienced teachers know that it is certainly possible to make a difference in even the most jaded and uninvolved students. Perhaps this is why so many of us continue to believe in ...

“If it’s not fun, they won’t learn!” – 5th grade teacher, Inner City Elementary I overheard this teacher say this the other day, and I must say, her classroom does seem to be pretty fun. Whenever I go in there, the kids are smiling and on-task. Almost every day in her class is a total Learning Party. Wheeeeee!* I don’t know ...

What can teachers do to help their students reduce stress? Sometimes as a teacher, I take things for granted. I assume that all students have a support system at home but that isn’t always true. Many students come from homes where parents are working more than one job to support the family. These adults do not have the time or the ...

“The words that are chosen by a teacher carry so much meaning and power. I think we all forget just how much power we have. When a kid falls down in class and forgets homework, does poorly on a test, or even is the biggest thorn in our side, we have a choice to use words that beat them down or ...

1. You Aren't Their Favorite Teacher Students will tell you that you are in fact their favorite teacher. They want to make good grades and stay off your bad list. But the truth is, student opinions change with the wind. Don't put a lot of stock into what students think about you or how popular a teacher you seem to be. ...