Posts by techsupport
Giving Written Directions
Here are some ideas to incorporate when providing written directions for assignments. Write directions as logical steps that students should follow to complete an assignment. Separate each step. Make your directions very specific. Be as brief as possible. Provide examples where appropriate. Go over the direction orally with your students. Have students restate the directions…
Read MoreCounseling Referral
It is never easy to identify the point at which you should refer a student to the school counselor. You can sense that the time has arrived to do so when the student’s problems exceed you ability to help. Here are some signs that the time for referral has come. You see a significant change…
Read MoreCheating on Tests
Cheating on tests is an increasing issue in schools at all levels. Here are some things you can do to minimize this problem. Space desks as far apart as possible to make it difficult for a student to copy the answers of another student. Limit what students can have on their desks to the test…
Read MoreGood Writing Position
Whether your students are writing in print or cursive (a disappearing form), they can improve the legibility of their writing by maintaining a good writing position. Writing in a good position promotes proper size, formation, and spacing of letters
Read MoreGraphic Organizers
Graphic organizers are visual representations of material. Using graphic organizers can help students decode, process, understand, and remember information. They can be used by students at almost any level. Encourage your students to use graphic organizers to: take notes from readings and class. compare and contrast things. predict outcomes. describe people, places, events, and objects.…
Read MoreEnding a Class
Students tend to get restless toward the end of a class session. This is especially true in the upper grades where students start to anticipate the bell that sounds the end of a class. Here is a productive way to curb this restlessness. Several minutes before a class is scheduled to end, have your students write…
Read MoreWaiting for a Response
Class discussion is a valuable teaching and learning technique. One of the most vexing problems that can occur when using this technique is the failure of students to respond. It takes resolve to accept periods of silence. Most experts recommend waiting for about 10 seconds before jumping in yourself. However, research shows that teachers typically wait just…
Read MoreGrading
One thing that has not changed through the years is students` concern about grades. If anything, it seems that students are more concerned about grades than ever. Teachers report that students` complaints about grades is one of the negatives about teaching. Here are some ideas for minimizing students` complaints about their grades. Clearly state the basis for…
Read MoreRule Cards
Rule cards can be a very useful study aid for students in any grade. They can be used in any subject. A rule card simply consists of a rule on the front side and one or two examples of the rule on the back. Students can add examples throughout the school year. By carrying the…
Read MoreImportant Character Traits
Psychologists have long emphasized that character is significantly related to success in school and later in life. Recent research has identified the seven most important character traits for success. As a teacher, you should do whatever you can to foster and strengthen these traits in your students. The seven most important character traits are: zest grit self-control social…
Read MoreCiting Sources
Once students reach high school, they will be writing more papers than in their previous grades. Be certain that your high school students are familiar with the three most common ways of citing sources when writing papers. Parenthetical citations. Key information that identifies the source is provided in parentheses after the cited information. For a…
Read MoreEducational Software
It has probably crossed the mind of every teacher that teachers may become replaced by technology. Billions of dollars have been invested by major education companies in the development of sophisticated software to teach students reading and math skills. Despite the grandiose claims made by these companies, results have not matched the hype. Comprehensive reviews…
Read MoreLeft-Handed Writers
Left-handed people face inherent inconveniences in what is mostly a right-handed world. Left-handed students face a particular difficulty when writing. A left-handed student must push a writing implement across a page. This is more difficult than pulling the implement as for a right-handed student. Further, as the student`s left hand moves across the page, it…
Read MoreQuestions Answered by Adjectives
In their writing, students often use simple sentences that lack interest. Encourage your students to use adjectives in their writing when they describe people, places, and things. Using adjectives will add interest and flavor to your students` writing. Be certain that your students know that adjectives answer the following questions about nouns and pronouns. Which…
Read MoreMath Facts
Students who do not master math facts will likely have increasing difficulty in math as they progress through the grades. Math in the higher grades involves higher order algorithms that require multiple steps. Lack of automatic recall of math facts will slow efforts at problem solution and produce errors. Here are some ways to ensure…
Read MoreTypes of Sentences
Students should know that when writing, the type of sentence they use at a given place must be tied to the purpose of the sentence. Review these four types of sentences and the purpose of each with your students. 1. Use a declarative sentence to make a statement or express an opinion. End this type of sentence with a period.…
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