Kids everywhere have questions about energy: what is it? Why is it so expensive and why do we need it so much? Great teachers take it upon themselves to create informational lessons on energy and here are a few tips for creating a lesson that’s right for your kids (best for 4th grade through 8th)
First you’ll want to have your class do some research. Print out news articles for them on energy and oil Read the rest of this entry »

Education and knowledge are not interchangeable ideas, they work hand in hand. An education increases knowledge and as a teacher, one must know how to get students interested in getting an education. Generally speaking, girls are more eager to learn than boys. So how do educaters reach the boys in school to get and keep them interested in an education? The answer to this question depends on the age and maturity level of the boy. A key idea that is not likely to change is to teach Read the rest of this entry »

When constructing lesson plans and unit plans, teachers should consider the socio-economic status of their students. Usually students from high-income families are able to get all of the resources and materials they need. Students from low-income families, however, often do not have the resources and materials that will enable them to succeed in their classes. There are approaches that can help teachers bridge the gap between high and low income students. The best way to Read the rest of this entry »

In today’s world technology is a vital part of education. Throughout the years we have seen what technology can do for students and how it can help them excel in their education. The possibilities are endless when it comes to technology and teaching in and outside of the classroom. Probably the most important item helping students today is the use of computers in the classroom. Not only is information available at their fingertips but computers open up a world to students that Read the rest of this entry »

There are several ways by which you can drive your students to success in the classroom. However, the effectiveness depends mainly on the age of the children and their desire.

For students in elementary classrooms, there are several motivational tools that will work effectively in driving them to success. One of the best motivational tools for ensuring academic success is reward. Younger students tend to respond better to rewards of some sort, such as stickers, prizes, certificates, awards, free Read the rest of this entry »

Working cooperatively with teachers: A parent guide to be the mediator and communicator between student and educator.

The parent understands the personality of his or her child better than anyone else does. This is why communication between the teacher and parent is not only vital but also mandatory to bring out the best potential of the child. Many teachers are so concerned that when they attempt to reach out to the busy parent that their calls Read the rest of this entry »

Building a strong, supportive relationship between teachers and parents takes some effort, but it’s time well spent. Here’s some ideas:
-Ask for their insight- Parents know their children better than anyone, and it’s worth your time to tap into this valuable resource. At the beginning of the year, send out a brief survey asking about the child’s interests, preferred ways to learn, and favorite hobbies. You can capitalize on the info when designing instruction.
-Stay in touch- As a Read the rest of this entry »

The benefits of a Smart Board in a classroom are huge for children.Prepared materials: Good teaching requires a lot of planning and Smart Boards make the planning extremely easy to organize. Teachers can prepare the materials for an entire unit on their computer and then easily put each day on the Smart Board. Materials are organized, typed, visually pleasing, and help students fully understand the material as it is presented.Endless space: Unlike a chalkboard or whiteboard, teachers will never run out of space with a Smart Board. Instead, the teacher only has to pull up another slide and continue writing. Also, teachers can save material from each day, so that the next day he or she can pull up yesterday’s slides to review or to easily catch up a student who was absent. No information will be lost.Engaging media: Children need to be engaged in classrooms and Smart Boards make it easier to keep them interested. Photos, sound, and video are easily integrated into lessons with the Smart Board, ensuring that students learn all that they can.Hopefully it will not be long before every classroom will benefit from all the things Smart Boards have to offer.

Get Parents Plugged In

January 11th, 2011

There is only so much a teacher can do in educating a child to become a well-equipped, productive member of society. Much of a child’s learning, both skills that will eventually help him in school and the real world, will come from his home environment. Not to mention, involved parenting helps to assure that homework and projects are not only completed but completed on time and with more careful attention and effort. To increase parental involvement, it is important to utilize all the modern day tools at your disposal, making it more convenient for both teachers to share information and parents to gain access to it. Here are some helpful tips to ease the barrier between the classroom and household:1. Create a class blog Easy to access, easy to update and easy to read, blogging not only allows parents to stay informed on the latest news from the classroom but also provides a forum for discussion and commentary. The ability to see uploadable photos and videos of their children will keep parents coming back for more. Posting information about upcoming assignments will also help parents to keep their kids on the ball and ensure instructions are followed properly.2. Include teacher e-mails on send home materials Giving parents a direct line of communication to teachers, and encouraging them to use it should the issue arise, will help them feel more directly connected to their child’s education. In turn, this will also serve as further means for teachers to communicate with parents if need be, whether calling for volunteers or addressing a particular child’s classroom challenges. Read the rest of this entry »