Posts by techsupport
Responding to Students’ Writing
It is often difficult to motivate students to write. It is important, therefore, to provide appropriate feedback to students’ writing. Attention must be given to errors and poor writing, but in ways that do not inhibit students from writing. Here are four guidelines to use when responding to students’ writing. Pose questions that prompt students…
Read MoreGender Equality
Research shows some learning and behavioral differences between boys and girls. But it is important not to teach based on stereotypes, and to give boys and girls equal opportunities to participate and learn. Answer each of the following questions “Yes” or “No.” Do I expect boys to be assertive and active? Do I expect girls…
Read MoreFun Words for Objects
Here’s a fun way to get your students interested in the meanings of words. Each of the following words is an object whose names your students probably don’t know: Tang MacGuffin Worsted Burgee Fascinator For each word, we have provided a humorous incorrect meaning followed by the correct meaning. Introduce each word with the incorrect…
Read MoreExpressions from Work
Professions have their own unique vocabularies. Introducing students to expressions used in various professions is a neat way to interest students in the world of work. Here are some work expressions you can explore with your students. Working with riddles. An expression used by pharmacists to refer to their attempts to work with insurance companies.…
Read MoreTeaching Science
You may find that you are required to teach science as one of your class periods. Don’t just rely on having your students memorize a bunch of facts. Make science fun and interesting. Here are some ways you can do this. Use an inquiry technique in which you prompt students to ask questions about aspects…
Read MoreFilling Classroom Time
Often you may find a need for short activities to fill classroom time. When this occurs, here are some ideas to try. Do not spend more than 10 minutes on any one of the following. Review previously learned skills or concepts at the chalkboard. Go over homework assignments or tests that you have returned. Do…
Read MoreEffective Verbal Communication
Here are some guidelines to follow whenever you want to verbally provide an important message or piece of information to your students. Wait until your class is quiet. Don’t try to compete for their attention. Use the fewest words necessary to impart the message or information. Stay with what you intend to say. Avoid responding…
Read MoreClassroom Routines
Explaining classroom procedures to your students and providing practice in using them will result in effective classroom routines that students will do automatically. Classroom routines can save time, reduce distractions and interruptions, and allow you more time to do the most important thing – teach. You should establish routines for each of the following situations:…
Read MorePurposes of Homework
As one teacher put it, “Homework is as American as apple pie.” We all had homework as students. We all give homework as teachers. Whenever you give your students homework assignments, be sure that the assignment is consistent with one or more of the following purposes of homework: Homework reinforces ideas, concepts and knowledge that…
Read MorePersonal Narrative
Writing a personal narrative allows students to share their lives with others as well as help them to improve their writing skills. When having your students write personal narratives, encourage them to: Think about what they want to tell their readers. Write from their own point of view, using words such as “I” and “my.”…
Read MoreState Flags
Flags are one of the oldest forms of communication and have become universal symbols. Every color and emblem on a flag has meaning, and reveals the history and culture of the people represented by it. Your students can learn interesting information about states by studying their flags. Here are some examples. Arizona. Red and yellow…
Read MorePredicting the Weather
Over the years, people have tried to predict the weather based on natural occurring phenomena. Your students will find many of the following ways of predicting the weather to be interesting. If there is dew on the grass at sunrise, it probably won’t rain that day. (This doesn’t work if it rained during the night.)…
Read MoreStudent Participation
Student participation brings a lively dimension to any class. Unfortunately, many students are reluctant to participate. Here are some ways to encourage student participation. Make your goals for the class session clear. Ask questions that require more than a simple “yes” or “no” response. Emphasize to students that any question they ask is a good…
Read MoreUsing Debates
A debate is a competition in which two opposing teams make speeches to support their arguments and disagree with those of the other team. A proposition is stated, with one team agreeing with the proposition and the other team disagreeing. Debates are an effective way to help your students develop critical thinking skills and oral…
Read MoreConfusing Headlines
The new term “crash blossom” refers to a newspaper headline that can be read in two ways. It derives from the following headline about a air crash in Japan: “Violinist Linked to JAL Crash Blossoms.” The article was about a violinist whose successful career took off shortly after his father had died in a JAL…
Read MoreCultural Awareness
A good way to promote cultural awareness is to make your students aware of common words in the English language that come from other languages. Here are some examples: African: cola, safari Arabic: algebra, coffee Dutch: cookie, stove Chinese: silk, tea French: judge, liberty German: ecology, hamburger Greek: gymnasium, machine Italian: carnival, piano (and pizza…
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