Posts by techsupport
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is an instructional technique in which the teacher initially provides a relatively high degree of structure and then gradually withdraws the structure as the students become more proficient on their own. While initially applied to verbal learning, scaffolding can be applied to a variety of learning areas. Here are five criteria for effective scaffolding.…
Read MoreProfessional Records
With the increasing emphasis on teacher evaluation, it is more important than ever to maintain your professional records. Here are some things you should save and organize. College transcripts Certificates of completion of training Performance evaluations by administrators Letters of recommendation Samples of your best lesson plans Samples of outstanding student work Photos of your…
Read MoreInstructional Pace
Instructional pace is the speed with which you cover content during the time allotted to a content area. It is no simple matter to maintain an appropriate instructional pace. If your pace is too fast, too many students will be left behind. You will then be moving on to new material for which these students…
Read MoreGuest Speakers
The use of guest speakers can provide your students with unique learning experiences. Guest speakers can provide special expertise, stimulate interest, and connect classroom learning to the real world. There are numerous sources of guest speakers such as people in different careers, local business owners, and people with unusual hobbies. When using a guest speaker,…
Read MoreUsing a Newspaper
A newspaper can be an inexpensive and valuable teaching tool. Here are some examples of how newspapers can be used across the curriculum. Language Arts. Have your students read an article and circle all singular nouns and pronouns in red and all plural nouns and pronouns in green. Social Studies. Have your students read an…
Read MoreTeaching Social Studies
Here are some things you will have to do when teaching social studies. Balance breadth versus depth in order to cover all required material within the school year. Create assignments and tests that go beyond simple recall of names, places, and dates. Deal with controversial topics such as religion, abortion, and the death penalty. Connect…
Read MoreUsing Humor
Humor is an effective tool for engaging students and enhancing their learning and retention. The appropriate use of humor can decrease student anxiety (especially before a test), defuse tense situations, and maintain student focus and interest. Here are some tips to follow when using humor. Acknowledge and laugh at your own mistakes. Know which of…
Read MoreCourse Planning
Here are guidelines to follow when planning a course: Consider who will be taking the course. Design your course taking into account the skills levels and interests of your students. Carefully develop goals for the course. Ask yourself what you want your students to achieve by the end of the course. Plan teaching and learning…
Read MoreField Trips
Field trips are an excellent way to help your students relate what they learn in class to the world outside of class. There are many sites that can provide the basis for a meaningful field trip (e.g., aquarium, factory, historical museum). Here are some things to consider when planning a field trip. A field trip…
Read MoreSensory Adjectives
Here is simple way to teach your students about adjectives that are associated with things they hear, smell, taste, and touch. Present the following list of adjectives to your students and have them identify which sense each adjective relates to. cold (touch) sweet (taste) slimy (touch) fragrant (smell) plop (hear) loud (hear) bitter (taste) pungent…
Read MoreGrading Class Participation
Class participation is an important aspect of student success, but is difficult to evaluate. Here is a simple scale you can use to grade student participation. Excellent Demonstrates excellent preparation for class and very active involvement in class discussions that moves the discussion to higher levels. Good Demonstrates good preparation for class and consistent involvement…
Read MoreMath Fun
Here are some ideas for introducing fun into your math instruction. When teaching students how to solve word problems, use their names and aspects of their lives in the problems. Use unusual units when reinforcing the concept of measurement. For example, have your students compare the lengths of two objects by using jelly beans. To…
Read MoreTask Directions
It is not unusual to find that the reason a student does not succeed on a task is because he or she did not understand the directions for the task. Be certain that the directions you give for a task are specific. The student must know exactly what he or she is expected to do.…
Read MoreRelevant Activities
Students often complain that what they are asked to learn in school is not relevant to their lives. To the extent that you can create learning activities that are relevant to your students lives, you will see an increase in your students’ motivation. Here are some ideas. Integrate local examples. Use important news events. Connect…
Read MoreMusic in the Classroom
Introducing music to your students has many benefits. Songs can be used to teach new concepts and vocabulary. Movement to music helps students develop motor coordination. Counting songs can be used to reinforce math concepts. Music provides students with the opportunity to express their feelings and relieve tension. Music stimulates creativity. Music helps students develop…
Read MoreProject Approach
The project approach is an instructional approach which emphasizes student choice and involvement. A project is an in-depth investigation of a topic worth learning more about. Projects can be for individual students, small groups, or an entire class. However, the project approach is best used with an entire class. In the first stage of a…
Read More