Posts by techsupport
Hold on to Thank You Notes
Maintain a folder in which to keep anything that is complimentary from your students and their parents. As you know, there will be times when you wonder if what you are doing is worthwhile. It will help to go through the compliments whenever you have this feeling.
Read MoreSaving Students Work
Provide a file drawer in which you have a folder for each student in your class. Each student can file writing projects and important graded assignments in his or her folder. Encourage students to discard unneeded materials so that the folders do not become overly bulky.
Read MoreDon’t Assume Understanding
Teachers often make the mistake of asking students if they understand something. Students will almost always say that they do, even when they don’t. Instead, ask them to explain it to you. You can then expand their understanding.
Read MoreTransition to Middle School
Students entering middle school often have little understanding of how each year builds on previous years. If you are a sixth grade teacher, introduce the students to what they will be learning in middle school, and how it relates to what they have learned in elementary school. Provide bridging activities. For example, if the students…
Read MoreLots of Books
A great way to encourage your students to read is to provide a collection of books that is easily accessible to students in the classroom. You can ask parents to send in books that will no longer be used by their children – chances are that many of the other students in your class will…
Read MoreOccupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is an excellent government publication your high school students can use to explore careers. Available online, this publication provides an array of information about various careers. As one activity, have each of your students identify a career in which they are interested. Have them use the Occupational Outlook Handbook to decide…
Read MoreSeat Students at Tables
I seat my students in groups of four or five at tables. This allows students to face each other and interact in positive ways. Students can work together in a cooperative manner. Also, it is easier for me to manage their behavior since I have to monitor several groups rather than twenty-five to thirty students.
Read MoreWatch for Boredom
Be alert for signs that your students are become bored. Examples of boredom are fidgeting, looking around the room, slumping in the seat, closing the book, and similar behaviors. Break into boredom by asking a question or making a surprise announcement.
Read MoreReturn Work Quickly
Grade and return work to students as quickly as possible. The greater the interval between a student handing in and receiving graded work, the less impact your feedback will have.
Read MoreDelayed Feedback
Here is something that happens to all teachers. You prepare and teach a wonderful lesson, but when the bell rings, the students leave without saying a word about how good it was. You cannot rely on instant gratification. Instead, keep in mind that some things you do in class will influence students for years to…
Read MoreResponse Time
Give students adequate time to respond to questions you ask during a lecture or a discussion. Allowing sufficient time enables students to think a question through before responding. The period of silence between your question and a student response is actually a positive.
Read MoreSelective Attention
Students are apt to do many things in class that you do not approve of. You can go crazy trying to respond to everything. Some of these things can be ignored without negative consequences. Save your energy for those things that have to be attended to.
Read MoreCount to Ten
Don’t allow yourself to be provoked by a student. Count to ten to make sure that your emotions are in check when you respond to the student.
Read MoreMean What You Say
Make sure you do what you say. Before you make a promise or a threat, be sure that you will have the time and means to carry it out.
Read MoreDo I Give Enough Feedback?
Ask yourself these five questions about the feedback you provide to students. Work to ensure that you can answer ‘Yes’ to each question. Does my instruction style facilitate feedback? Do I offer objective, non-debatable observations of student performance? Is my feedback aligned to desired outcomes or goals of the learning task? Students must be aware…
Read MoreRelating to Students’ Lives
Keep in mind that students’ lives should be a part of your social studies curriculum. Bring their lives into your classroom. This will naturally lead to informative discussions about race, class, culture, gender, language, and nationality. Students will learn that these things not only are important in broader society, but effect them every day in…
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