Recently added articles from Instructor (1990):
A new year, a new generation.(from the editors)(Editorial)
Aug 01, 2008; Truby, Dana ... For those of us who typed our papers on a Smith Corona, it's a startling thought: Every child in your elementary or middle school cannot remember a world without the Internet, laptops, or cell phones. How these students play, communicate, and even learn make them different from the kids ...
Win a class trip to Scholastic!(THE SCHOLASTIC KIDS GORILLA SUMMIT)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Scholastic Inc. invites you and your class to apply to participate in the Scholastic Kids Gorilla Summit, hosted in partnership with Turtle Pond Publications, the Owen and Mzee Foundation, and the Clinton Global Initiative. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] WHEN: Friday, ...
Five reasons to visit ...(Website overview)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008 ... teacher.scholastic.com 1. A new new teacher site Need some advice for that death-defying first year? Visit our redesigned new-teacher site! Here you'll find tons of how-to strategies, hands-on tips, great creative ideas, and teacher-to-teacher advice that will help ...
When you're sick, students suffer.(your career)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Whether you call out to nurse a cold or take a much-needed mental breather, you're entitled to a certain number of sick days. But according to research from Harvard University, teacher absences have a small but significant effect on student achievement. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...
The rookies have spoken.(your career)(Survey)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Did your education studies prepare you for the classroom? Based on a nationwide survey of more than 600 first-year teachers, about 80 percent reported that they felt ready to teach and were confident in their ability to handle specific subject matter skills. However, teachers didn't feel ...
Rate your principal.(your career)
Aug 01, 2008 ... Everyone can benefit from constructive criticism--even the big boss. Starting with the 2008-09 school year, teachers can evaluate their school's principal, and the principal in turn rates him-or herself using the Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education (www.val-ed.com). This ...
Q&A.(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008 ... I need a mentor, but my school doesn't have a program. what can I do? Sara Hahn, the director of a Los Angeles tutoring program, says first try ...
Pass it forward.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008; Matejka, Cari ... At the beginning of the year, I set up my fourth graders with first-grade buddies. Both the big kids and the little kids love it. And often, teaching is the ...
The tables are turned.(idea swap)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008; Mitschelen, Kathryn ... I give my fourth and fifth graders a "teacher test" to help them get to know me. Soon after they walk into class and get settled on the first day, I have the students take out a pencil and a sheet of paper, and I tell them we are taking our first test of the year. Of course, they look ...
A new twist on the memory game.(idea swap)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008; Szeto, Joanna ... As an icebreaker, we play the Poster Game. I put up a premade poster with numbers, letters, words, pictures, and symbols. I give the class one minute to study the poster. Next, I cover the poster and ...
It's always about you.(idea swap)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008; Glavan, Kim ... To help the students get to know one another and learn AppleWorks (or PowerPoint) presentation tools. I have them create a "Me" presentation. We do the first few slides together, and then students work on their own. They write about their family and hobbies, draw a picture of their house ...
Whose line is it?(ideaswap)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008; Anderson, Anne M.L. ... Before the first group assignment, we establish group-work expectations with an improv skit. Four student volunteers are cast in roles: the "know-it-all," the "goof-off," the "too-cool-for-school kid," and the "teacher's pet wanna-be." The acting group arranges chairs, grabs props ...
Tiny tales.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008; Snyder, Judith ... My students' first assignment of the year is to write their memoirs. I use passages from The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros as a model. We create a topic list to help trigger their ideas (e.g., special treasures, Grandma's house, secret hiding place, sick at home). The children ...
Web site welcome.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008; Hovland, Stephanie ... I welcome students online before school even begins. I set up my classroom Web site about a month before the school year starts. I include the class schedule as soon as I have it, along with our supply list and a personal welcome letter. I make it clear that students and families can ...
How do you use your whiteboard? Have a whiteboard in your classroom or in your future? We asked five teachers how to make the most of it.(ideaswap)
Aug 01, 2008 ... 1. To See the Bigger Picture I scan the pages of a social studies or science book onto the whiteboard so the whole class can experience the book at once. The pictures and diagrams are big enough for the whole class to see, and I'm able to write on the pages and point things out ....
Ask a psychologist.
Aug 01, 2008; Adele M. Brodkin ... Q Last year I had a kindergartner who cried every day when she had to say good-bye to her mom. I'm about to meet my new students and would love to help ease the transition for everyone. What can I do? Many teachers find that writing a special letter to each new ...
Best for coloring.(teachers' picks)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008 ... BEST FOR COLORING Inspired by earth's natural surroundings, Crayola's True to Life products have tricolor tips for added depth and complexity. "The colors blend really well," says our ...
Best randomizer.(teachers' picks)(ReMARKable Spin Wheel)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008 ... BEST RANDOMIZER Our tester gives the ReMARKable Spin Wheel a thumbs-up. "It's a fun way to select 'volunteers,' and the kids love it." Fill in the sectioned ...
Best for class participation.(teachers' picks)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008 ... BEST FOR CLASS PARTICIPATION Get all your students to raise their hands high with Hands Up Dry-Erase Answer Boards. "My class races to write their ...
Best for staking your claim.(teachers' picks)(Brief article)
Aug 01, 2008 ... BEST FOR STAKING YOUR CLAIM EZ iD Scissors help keep kids organized. "Letter and shape tiles easily snap onto the handle, so children have fun personalizing their ...