TheApple

“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 ...

This year, we have done things quite a bit differently in our band classes. We have not spent any time really outlining classroom rules. In fact, we really have been operating on a rule-free teaching model. Earlier this week, I clarified my don’t talk to me policy. Beyond that though, we really haven’t gone over anything specifically. No lists of rules ...

Problem Most likely we have heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder.” Today, this phrase kept ringing in my head as I stared down a classroom of 30 freshmen in our Information Technology (computers) class. Each child represented a different needs, skill sets, background (language, culture, etc.), ability, and experience. I was about to transition to their next activity – creating ...

“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. ...

Building trust: I share a lot of stories about myself so that the students can learn more about me. When I don’t know someone, I don’t feel comfortable expressing myself because I am afraid they will judge me or think badly about me. My students probably feel the same way so I try to take the first steps in getting to ...

I consider these items to be absolutely indispensable in the classroom. They have multiple uses and help you avoid problems that you probably haven't thought about. 1. Painter's Tape This special tape doesn't stick to anything permanently, but sticks strongly enough to leave until you're ready to take it off. You can use this to section off your board, floor, walls, ...

1. Word Wall Example: How to Use a Word Wall 2. Weekly Contest 3. College corner (featuring your alma mater) 4. Examples of great work from your former students 5. Artwork, pictures and notes from your former students 6. Class job postings 7. Subject-related news articles 8. Subject-related career articles 9. A PostSecret-style project - My students came up with something ...

After introducing a few rules during the first week of school, plan on reinforcing them for the next few months to come. Stick to the 90% reviewing classroom procedures and rules and 10% amount of teaching. By procedures, I am referring to also study skills such as how to present and keep their work, pair and group work and test procedures. ...

Let’s face it. When school starts, we all face anxiety – the student, the parents, and the teacher. It is a stressful time because we are facing the unknown. The student usually doesn’t know the teacher or the new rules and may even be facing a new school. The parents don’t know what their child will be facing or if their ...

All teachers need a user-friendly system to help stay on top of the endless marking, checking and workpages. Plan as thoroughly as you can and if you don’t already have one, develop a system of organization. It’s truly amazing how much paperwork and marking goes into the first year. It’s easy for a new teacher to feel overwhelmed and confused. Try ...

As the new school term approaches, teachers everywhere are gearing up to meet its challenges. We find ourselves checking out the sale pages in the newspaper (after the initial shock of seeing the dreaded "BACK TO SCHOOL!" headlines passes) and finding other ways to get ourselves organized. We eye our professional wardrobes to see what we need to spruce up or ...

As I get older I find that I can’t remember names like I used to. Seating charts and assignned seats help, but when you make the August transformation from the serenity of your home cave to the rowdiness and confusion of the first few days of school it’s difficult to get a fix on five different groups of kids. No matter ...

I think there are times grouping is good and sometimes it isn’t appropriate. As a teacher, I need to look at what the objective of my lesson is and how do I plan to achieve it. If grouping is the best way to do that, then that is the way I need to go. I do not believe that one size ...

Hustle & Flow: Classroom Style The words hustle and flow describe one basic word to me: activity. I want my classroom to be full of activity. Productive activity. You may not agree with some of the things I'm writing, but remember, I'm suggesting these for the long-term effect they will have on the student culture and classroom atmosphere. The following are ...

I went to the doctor today. It was the first time I’ve been in over a year and a half. I have strep throat. And it’s summer. How lame is that? Enough with the complaining, As I was sitting here this evening wondering why my visitor numbers were a bit lower than they have been lately, I realized that I didn’t ...

This story contains adult content. I have a lot of respect for kindergarten teachers. I like little ones, but kindegarteners are WAY too little. I see some of my colleagues in the hallways and, despite their best efforts, it always looks a bit like they are herding cats. However, from my current position as "the cool teacher down the hall with ...

Today I went on a field trip with my friends. If you are a faithful reader, you are amazing. AND, you also know about my issues with field trips based on the ghosts of Horrific Field Trips Past that continue to haunt me. However, I am dedicated to my calling, and therefore, continue to subject myself to that yellow school bus, ...

[photo:70992] It’s been a while since I have taught 7th & 8th graders and now I remember how much they like to get away with. Even the good students do things from time to time that just boggle my mind. WHY DID YOU DO THAT? It’s crazy. How do I handle these misbehaving miscreants? These 5 ways.... 1. Don’t pick favorite ...

You have got to, must always, never forget, always remember to be real with your students. I cannot explain the success I have had with students by just being real. Break out of the education malarky and teacher speak and all that formal nonsense. We are people just like the students are- why do we ever pretend to be anything else? ...

Anyone? No? As most schools are, we are currently on Swine Flu Watch. Unfortunately, my classroom has turned into something resembling a hospital waiting room what with all the allergy issues, asthma related breathing problems, spring colds and hacking coughs. But I am vigilant. Vigilant in my search for Swine Flu-esque symptoms. Or really, any symptoms that say Why the Heck ...