Instructor (1990) back issues from March 2009:
The motivated classroom.(from the editors)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Few things are more frustrating to a caring teacher than a disinterested, disconnected learner, much less a class full of them. This issue is packed with ideas to reach every learner where they are. First things first: On page 23, Marilyn Burns shares easy math games that will have kids ...
Lifesaving Math.(NEWS FROM INSTRUCTOR)(www.mathathon.org)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Scholastic is proud to announce our partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on their Math-A-Thon fundraising program. For 30 years, Math-A-Thon has helped students build and practice math skills while they raise money and awareness for childhood cancer and other catastrophic ...
Ladies first?(grab your keyboard ...)(Women's History Month)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Wondering when Congress first passed the resolution for women's right to vote, or when they declared International Women's Day? Encourage your students to read about these events--or the creation of the historical text for Women's History ...
Roses are read.(grab your keyboard ...)(Poem in Your Pocket Day!)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... April showers mean ... National Poetry Month! Head to the Web to hear Jack Prelutsky read his work, to learn how to use all five senses to start a poem, or to introduce students to Poem in Your Pocket Day! Get kids interested now so they'll have a ...
Ready for summer?(grab your keyboard ...)(www.scholastic.com/summer)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Get summer started right with "Summer Challenge Live!" Scholastic's nationwide interactive game will include surprise video questions from authors and real-time Web results! Four teams of kids will answer questions about authors, ...
Sound it out!(grab your keyboard ...)(SMART Notebook [TM] Interactive Software)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Need fresh encouragement for new readers? Enliven language with brand-new phonics lessons from SMART Notebook [TM] Interactive Software. Visit ...
Get connected.(your career)(brush up on your technology integration with www.scholastic.com)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Looking to brush up on your technology integration? Want tips on how to manage your interactive whiteboard? Join an online community and get real solutions for your classroom quandaries. The beauty is in the connections you make. When a Virginia classroom teacher posted frantically "I need ...
Virtual field trips.(your career)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... With the growing strain on the economy, your trip budget may have been the first to go. But don't despair! You can give your students an educationally valuable experience for free with virtual field trips. Journey with your class to places you could never go in reality: the heart of the ...
Teacher wishes granted!(your career)(www.iLoveSchools.com)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... NEEDED: Large cooling fans for very hot summer days.--K--12 teacher, New Stuyahok, AK NEEDED: Art supplies. We've only got crayons!--Kindergarten teacher, Phoenix, AZ NEEDED: Classroom rug. My kids are tired of the hardwood floors!--Second-grade teacher, Albertville, ...
Q&A One of my colleagues is always "borrowing" my homemade materials.; can i say no?(your career)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... "You're not required to share materials prepared on your own time,'--says Instructor advisor Dr. Suzanne Tingley, "but if they're effective, sharing them would allow more students to benefit. However, it's not hard to see why ...
Ask a psychologist.(Column)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Q what can I do when It's the parents who do the homework? I think one of my fifth-graders is turning in work completed by his mom. how can i explain to her the need for his learning independence? A Start by inviting the parent for a friendly conference. When you meet, ask, in a ...
Why I teach: six quotes to teach by. Clip them out and pass them to all the great teachers you know--including yourself, of course!(INSPIRATION TO GO)(Quotation)
Mar 01, 2009 ... "Life is a succession of lessons, which must be lived to be understood." --RALPH WALDO EMERSON Why I Teach "All children are artists." --PABLO PICASSO Why I Teach "Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone ...
Pledge to the planet.(Celebrate Earth Day!)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... In honor of Earth Day, we make a Pledge to the Earth: I pledge allegiance to the Earth And all the life it Supports. One planet, in my care, ...
Multi-Culti Earth Day.(Celebrate Earth Day!)(multicultural classroom)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... In my multicultural classroom, we combine Earth Day with a Mexican tradition by making Earth-shaped pinatas! We make the pinatas from balloons, newspaper strips, and a paste of flour and water. We paint them blue and green to look ...
April showers bring ... spring flowers!(Celebrate Earth Day!)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... My students make paper bouquets to brighten up the hallways. We create pussy-willow branches by cutting brown construction paper stems and gluing on small wads of cotton. To make tulips, we trace two tulip shapes from construction paper, glue ...
Green Day!(ideaswap)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Last year on Earth Day, we made a giant paper tree on our bulletin board! For the trunk and branches, we used recycled brown bags. For the leaves, each student got a green leaf shaped "Family Pledge Card," which they ...
O'keeffe flowers.(ideaswap)( Georgia O'Keeffe)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... When the spring flowers start blooming I like to introduce my students to the artwork of Georgia O'Keeffe. My Name is Georgia and Georgia's Bones are two great picture books to start with. For the artwork, I bring in fresh flowers ...
Host a read-in.(ideaswap)(teaching methods)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... My first-graders and I celebrate reading all year round. Students read to other classrooms, teachers circulate to read, and parents come in as guest readers, too. On special days, we bring ...
April is Poe tree month.(ideaswap)(teaching methods )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... Since April is poetry month, my students practice writing different forms of poetry all month long. I make a tree out of brown and green butcher paper and ...
Reading grandparents!(ideaswap)(teaching methods)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... My students love our "Reading Grandmas" program! Our reading Grandmas (as well as one Grandpa) come in every Wednesday morning. To start, the students pick out the book and read and discuss it with their Grandma. Then they ...
No more paper trails.(ideaswap)(teaching methods)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... I place a colorful plastic sand pail in the middle of each table to act as a "mini-recycling bin." As kids work on projects that generate paper scraps, they just throw them in the sand pail. It keeps ...
Connect the dots.(ideaswap)(teaching methods)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... I organize my classroom library into tubs, with each tub containing books on different topics. It's a great way to stay organized, but keeping the books in the right tubs can be difficult. I label each ...
Two-thirds day.(ideaswap)(teaching methods)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... In my math class, we celebrate "Two-Thirds Day"--day 120 out of 180 days of school! I encourage kids to make a poster or costume that represents two-thirds any way they like. They might represent four pizza slices out of a six-piece pie, or fill a ...
Go fly a kite.(ideaswap)(teaching methods)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009; ... We take advantage of the March breezes by having an all-school Kite Day! It is so much fun to see kids out flying kites, from the simple ...
Yes! Kindergartners can use whiteboards: Kindergarten teacher Shawn Knapp shares her best ideas for whiteboard learning with little ones.(tech ideas)
Mar 01, 2009 ... 1. WRITE A MORNING MESSAGE My class uses the whiteboard to create a morning message. I like to add animated clip art to the messages because it helps grab my student's attention and motivates them to to help complete the message. It is so easy to print out the messages and ...
Great resources that won't bust your budget!(free stuff)(www.neh.gov/projects)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Take a Tour of America's Past Why not try a working vacation this summer? Enroll in a Landmarks of American History workshop and you'll spend a week in a historic location studying an aspect of U.S. history. Subjects range from the Civil War to civil rights and industrialization ...
Literacy grants.(GRANTS)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Know of an after-school program that's trying to stay afloat? The Women Helping Others Foundation offers grants up to $5,000 for educational programs ...
Education is the foundation.(GRANTS)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Are you are an exceptional educator who motivates and inspires high-risk students to achieve excellence? Then Michael Jordan wants to hear from you. Each year the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program awards $1 million to ...
Special leaders in special Ed.(GRANTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... The Heartspring Award for Innovation and Creativity in Special Education is searching the globe for pioneering professionals who work with special needs children. Tell in a unique way how you get results, and ...
Into nature? Environmental teachers can win $500.(GRANTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... The NABT Ecology/Environmental Teaching Award, sponsored by Vernier, honors secondary school teachers who take their passion for the environment out of the classroom and ...
It takes a community ...(GRANTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Sponsored by Pearson and the National Middle School Association, Teams That Make a Difference recognizes groups of teachers, administrators, and community members who work to improve the education and well-being of adolescents. The ...
Funds for fitness.(GRANTS)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... P.E. budgets are being hit hard. But healthy minds still need healthy bodies. The Saucony Run for Good Foundation provides grants up to $10,000 to keep your ...
History's hottest hits.(CONTESTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... K-12 teachers and media specialists, assemble your team of junior historians. Give ABC-CLIO's History Uncovered competition your list of history's 10 most crucial people, places, or ...
Get thrifty.(CONTESTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Chase's new essay contest asks, "What goal would you like to achieve, and how can saving money help you achieve it?" The 12 fourth or fifth graders who best answer the question in an economical 400 words or less will garner $2,500 for ...
Reach out with technology.(CONTESTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Are you a wiz with a SMART whiteboard? Connect to other wired classrooms in the SMARTer Kids Foundation Connections program. Eight sixth-grade classes in the U.S. and Canada will receive leading-edge technology in order to partner on educational ...
A bird's-eye view on climate.(CONTESTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Geospatial tools--such as aerial photography and the Global Positioning System--provide a wealth of information about our planet's well-being. The Thacher Scholars Awards, sponsored by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, recognize ...
Your 10 minutes of fame.(CONTESTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Fidelity FutureStage is looking for the best student-written plays that clock in at 10 minutes. One selected play will be produced on an actual Broadway stage, and the author will get to work directly with the creative team ...
Better living through technology.(CONTESTS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Unwelcome glare on the TV screen can put a damper on anyone's Will experience. Enter 3M's Young Scientist Challenge and turn that annoyance into cash. Budding Edisons in grades 5-8 submit a short video presentation that demonstrates an innovative solution to an everyday problem ...
D'ya ever wonder ...(RESOURCES)(www.iwaswondering.org)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... The National Academy of Sciences has lauched i WAS wondering, a website that encourages middle school students--especially girls--to think about the varied and intriguing careers in science. Users can discuss science imponderables, get answers from an expert, play STEM-themed ...
Win a wireless lab.(RESOURCES)
Mar 01, 2009 ... The classroom of tomorrow could be yours today. Discovery Education and CDW-G are giving five K-12 schools a complete 21st-century classroom worth $50,000. Each lab includes 20 laptop computers, an interactive white ...
Mentorship for mentors.(RESOURCES)(PBS TeacherLine )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Visit PBS TeacherLine to find new professional development resources for teachers, mentors, and teacher leaders. The free pdfs cover topics such as "Tips for ...
An American adventure.(RESOURCES)(www.tenement.org/immigrate)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Students travel back to 1916 in From Ellis Island to Orchard Street, an interactive game from New York's Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Players create a virtual identity and embark on a new life in New York City ....
Virtual fieldtrips.(RESOURCES)(http://meetmearthecorner.org.)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Meet an urban beekeeper, enjoy a harpsichord concert, or witness the blessing of the bikes, all without leaving your computer. Meet Me at the Corner provides short educational tours from a child's point of view via video podcast technology ....
Are you experienced?(RESOURCES)(http://h30411.www3.hp.com)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Visit HP's Teacher Experience Exchange for lesson plans and other great resources for your classroom and career. While you're there, check out ...
Alex's Lemonade stand.(RESOURCES)(www.alexslemonade.org)
Mar 01, 2009 ... When 4-year-old Alexandra Scott was being treated for childhood cancer, she opened a lemonade stand to raise money for a cure. Now the foundation that bears her name has taken Alex's idea national. At Alex's ...
3 Views on autism.(teachers' picks [BOOKS])(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
Mar 01, 2009 ... The narrators of these powerful stories all have conditions on the autism spectrum. Anything but Typical [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] By Nora Raleigh Baskin. $15.99. From the popular young adult author comes a tale about a 12-year-old boy whose passion is ...
5 Poetry month picks: these rhythmic collections are just the thing for ringing in April's National poetry month.(teachers' picks [BOOKS])(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
Mar 01, 2009; ... The Swamps of Sleethe By Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Jimmy Pickering. $16.99. The renowned poet takes readers to a galaxy far, far away in his latest collection of "poems from beyond the solar system." There's a darker tone to both the poems and the illustrations, making it ...
5 Trips to the moon: the 40th anniversary of the moon landing is this summer. Here's how to celebrate!(teachers' picks [BOOKS])(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Moon: Science, History, and Mystery By Stewart Ross. $18.99. Ross illuminates the scientific and cultural history of the moon in this excellent reference. Readers will enjoy swapping facts, such as the nickname for astronauts' zero-gravity simulation plane: the "Vomit Comet." Grades 3-6. ...
5 odes to our planet: it's earth day every day with these tree-hugging novels and nonfiction titles.(teachers' picks [BOOKS])(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Recycle This Book Edited by Dan Gutman. $5.99. A fun anthology of essays by children's writers ranging from Jeanne DuPrau to Bruce Coville to Gennifer Choldenko; each contribution urges kids to help the environment and explains what to do to get started. Grades 3-7. ...
Best inside view.(Best for Future Scientists)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST INSIDE VIEW This realistic heart, brain, and skeleton are perfect for centers and display--not to ...
Best science board game.(Best for Future Scientists)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST SCIENCE BOARD GAME Students help TV character Arthur and his family address environmental issues threatening his hometown--Elwood City ....
Best all-in-one kits.(Best for Future Scientists)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST ALL-IN-ONE KITS Put your class in motion with activity tubs that would have Newton excited. With ramps, stopwatch, and vocabulary cards, all based on ...
Best DVD series.(Best for Future Scientists)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST DVD SERIES Disney tackles gravity, levers, and trajectory in its new line of education ...
Best digital models.(Best for Future Scientists)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST DIGITAL MODELS Discovery Kids Smart Animals talk to student when scanned by the Scanopedia, almost bringing the Jurassic ...
Best arcade-style games.(Best Math Games)(Light 'N' Strike)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST ARCADE-STYLE GAMES With the Light 'N' Strike, kids use a plastic mallet to hit the correct answers to math problems. For Lock It In!, they turn ...
Best game libraries.(Best Math Games)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST GAME LIBRARIES Skill-building games for grades 1-2 reinforce addition, subtraction, time and measurement, and for ...
Best board game.(Best Math Games)( Learning Resources )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST BOARD GAME Learning Resources takes math to the county fair for estimating and measuring practice. Students get to ...
Best whole-class game.(Best Math Games)(Classroom Jeopardy!)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST WHOLE-CLASS GAME Classroom Jeopardy! now includes state math standard cartridges for its game system. Each ...
Rib-Ticklers Math.(MORE MATH SKILL BUILDERS)(Rib-Ticklers by Carson-Dellosa )(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Rib-Ticklers by Carson-Dellosa strengthens first-through fourth-graders' basic skills with jokes, comics, and riddles. Each 80-page book ...
Build & Learn Geometry Kit.(MORE MATH SKILL BUILDERS)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Lakeshore's geometry kit has over 200 sticks and connectors for building geometric shapes ....
Aha!Math.(Must-Have Math Computer Games)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... Aha!Math by Learning.com is a supplemental curriculum for K-5 students, aligned to NCTM's Curriculum Focal Points and state standards. It uses visual, auditory, and interactive experiences as ...
Fastt Math.(Must-Have Math Computer Games)(Fluency and Automaticity through Systematic Teaching with Technology)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... FASTT Math by Tom Snyder is an intervention program for struggling students, designed to develop fluency in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. FASTT stands for Fluency and Automaticity through Systematic Teaching with ...
TinkerPlots.(Must-Have Math Computer Games)(Dynamic Data Exploration )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... TinkerPlots Dynamic Data Exploration for grades 4-8 is an exciting program that enables students to analyze data by creating colorful visual representations, which help them make sense of real data and ...
Best portable science lab.(New tech tools)(Vernier LabQuest)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST PORTABLE SCIENCE LAB Vernier's LabQuest makes it easy to take your classroom on the road. Its many probes can be used for data collection, as a stand-alone or ...
Best early calculator HP's.(New tech tools)(EasyCalc 100 )(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2009 ... BEST EARLY CALCULATOR HP's EasyCalc 100 is perfect for simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, although it does calculate percent and square ...