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Welcome StarTeaching's
Centennial Issue of our newsletter,
Features for Teachers! 100 Issues and still going
strong!
Great Ideas and Features for all Teachers!
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Its Here! Our 100th
Issue!
This February
marks the 100th Issue of our newsletter,
Features for Teachers. We're very proud of our
commitment to our readers to provide educational articles and
issues to veteran teachers as well as those new to the
craft. As always, we jam pack each issue with tremendous articles,
by our readers for our
readers!
Sent to a readership of over 25,000
educators each month, articles from Features for Teachers
are utilized in classrooms all around the country and across the
world.
We're always looking for comments, ideas,
tips, techniques, and stories from our readers to share in our
newsletter and on our website
If you'd like to contribute an article, pleases email us at:.
editor@starteaching.com |
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Would you be interested in
becoming a Featured Writer for the StarTeaching website?
Our Newsletter
is now posting a opening for a creative educator interested in
designing a set of weekly science activities for
students and teachers to use.
We are also posting an opening
for a Feature Writer to submit a regular article each month on
an educational topic.
Email your resume and letter of
interest to: editor@starteaching.com |
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Reader
Response
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Ask Dr. Manute
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| Dr.
Manute is a well-renowned world traveler, guest speaker, and educational
consultant.
Dr.
Manute holds multiple degrees in several educational fields. He has
taught in
both
stateside and international school communities. He has extensive
experience (25 years) in school administration. He also has worked
at the university level, supervising teacher interns and teaching
undergraduate courses.
As
part of our NEW! Reader Response selection (asked for by our
subscribers), we are pleased to have Dr. Manute answer questions
from our readers.
You
can contact Dr. Manute through the form at the end of this
article. Thanks!
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Quick Review of Curriculum, Instruction, and Improvement
Strategies:
Dear Dr. Manute,
Recently I received an inquiry about curriculum, classroom
interaction, and strategies for improving teaching and learning.
TB, Minnesota
Dear DL,
It is easy to see how all three are related. Curriculum is
what is being taught, classroom interaction is part of the instruction
process that includes teaching and learning strategies.
Let's go back a few yeas and look at curriculum and
materials. Remember, curriculum is what is taught and
instruction's how it is taught.
There have been many innovations and upgrades in both curriculum
and instruction based on solid research. Unfortunately for
students, many schools and educators still lag behind.
Before I continue, I want to add that this article will focus on
educational practices in the United States only. Certainly there
are other issues facing other countries.
The control of curriculum and consequently instruction falls on
individual states. In the past textbooks were basically the
driving force. With the advent of "A Nation At Risk",
states joined the cause of educational reform. Today, curriculum
is based on state and national standards and high stakes testing.
One can argue that the Federal government also has control because of
funding for compensatory programs in reading, math, and early childhood
education. Teachers have also been instrumental in developing
curriculum as many are on state committees. Today's curriculum is
much more complex and standardized than in the past.
Instruction is the process by which curriculum is delivered.
Unlike the passive learners of past generations, today's students
require methods require that include them as active participants.
Today's classroom is large in numbers and extremely diversified.
Teachers are being better prepared to reach all students because of
their training in multiple learning styles, higher order thinking
skills, and other strategies. The results are improved instruction
quite different from lecture, note taking, memorization, and drill
resulting in random learning. Technology is another tool for
teachers. Today's students have the opportunities to experience
vast domains.
The results of curriculum improvement and improved teacher
training will ultimately pay big dividends and improve student
learning. After all, if all of the strategies for improvement
aren't directly related to improve instruction are they really
worthwhile.
This is of course a quick overview. If you or any other
readers want a more detailed account on any of these three, please email
me.
Dr. Manute
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Submit your questions to Dr. Manute on
Educational Issues! Simply fill in the form below:
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The
Effective Teacher
By:
Mary
Ann
Graziani
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Mary
Ann Graziani is a Michigan Certified Teacher with a Masters Degree in
Elementary Education. She is married and has two sons.
She loves to read and write, and enjoys passing on that love to
the children that she teaches.
Her philosophy is teaching and entertaining children at the same
time.
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The students of today are our future.
A teacher is an important part of making a better future through
teaching their students. What
more rewarding career can there be than teaching?
A teacher has a tremendous amount of power over their students to
either positively or negatively affect their students’ entire lives.
The effective teacher motivates students by creating a positive
learning environment where students want to learn because they have a
teacher who respects them as individuals.
They help their
students by recognizing each individual talent without favoritism or
criticism. An effective
teacher has a genuine love and respect for children. They enjoy working
with children and want to work with them to create a positive and
nurturing learning environment.
An
effective teacher will treat each student as an individual with unique
personal experiences that they bring into the classroom community. The
unique experiences each student brings can be used collaboratively and
creatively in group work where all students will learn from each other
through shared discussions and reflections of their personal
experiences. Everyone is included and needed in the classroom community.
An effective teacher will encourage imagination and creativity
through exploring, observation, and freedom of expression. Every student
is involved in the decision making process that involves their classroom
and encouraged to make choices that affects not only them but also their
classroom community. Diversity
is embraced in the classroom and lesson planning is inclusive of
everyone in the classroom.
An effective teacher believes that all children can learn and
grow. Every child is given
choices and personal freedom of expression in order to promote their
growth in learning. The
effective teacher knows that if children are shown respect, they will
show respect in return. They
show respect by enabling children to assume responsibility for their own
learning. The effective
teacher encourages their students to build meaningful relationships with
them and their fellow classmates.
The effective teacher knows that all children are unique in their
learning style and that their understanding is based on their own unique
experiences. They understand
that by catering to individual learning styles, teaching can be geared
to develop the whole child.
To truly learn what qualities it takes to be an effective
teacher; perhaps it is best to look at what the students believe makes a
great teacher. Brian Zkmund-Fisher, Coordinator of TA Support,
Eberly
Center
for Teacher Excellence (1998) compiled information from numerous student
evaluation forms to find out what students think. Here are some of the
responses:
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Enthusiastic in discussing course material.
Makes me feel free to ask questions.
Listens to what students had to say.
Manages student participation in an equitable way.
Encourages students to participate actively in
class.
Raises challenging questions for discussion.
Never intimidates or embarrasses students.
Helps students learn from one another.
Uses student questions as a source of discovering
points of confusion.
Is readily available for consultation with
students.
Treats all students with respect.
Gives constructive feedback on students' work.
Grades assignments in a fair and consistent manner.
Manages class time effectively.
Stresses important points in class.
Slows down when discussing complex and difficult
topics.
Is consistently well prepared and organized for
class.
Is well prepared to answer questions.
Grasps and responds to student questions and
comments.
Is able to give alternative explanations when
needed.
Uses examples and illustrations which are clear and
concise.
Is able to explain concepts in terms students can
understand.
Relates theories and concepts to practical issues.
Gives directions for assignments that are clear and
specific.
Carefully explains each step of new processes and
techniques.
Is patient with students.
Encourages students to seek their own solutions to
artistic questions or problems.
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The effective teacher has the ability, motivation, and above all,
the wonderful opportunity to elevate humanity and themselves in the
process of teaching. Can there be a better career than this?
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Mary
Ann
Graziani has published an educational
book for elementary school-aged children using high frequency sight
words, and is
in the process of publishing an entire set that goes with
that book. She
has also written a math tale
that teaches customary units of measurement to elementary school-aged
children in an entertaining storybook tale.
You
can contact Mary Ann at: mgrazi@wowway.com
Check
out Mary Ann's other articles at the link below:
http://www.starteaching.com/MaryAnnGraziani.htm
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StarTeaching
Featured Writer
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Join our Online Community!
Receive weekly articles right
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discuss educational issues with other teachers from around the
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Check it all out and sign up
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NowAvailable! |
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Mastering Basic
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Each of the six modules tests the six variants of Memory &
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At each level, the individual's performance is depicted as
Scores Obtained.
A feedback has been built into the software for all these 18
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Each individual can assess his/her performance any time by
clicking on "history", which gives complete details
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level and encourages more participation to eventually
culminate in improvement and enhancement of memory and
concentration.
Essentially, this software is a SELF AWARENESS tool that
surely motivates the individual to realize one's capability
and seek or be receptive for improvement. Also, if repeatedly
done over a period of time works as Training tool to enhance
their capability. |
This
software package is specifically designed to help young
children to learn basic skills that will help them in
school. Continued follow-up will give these young
learners success as they mature.
Three versions of the software exist:
Individual Software on either CD or Online, Family
Version Software, and an Institutional Software package.
StarTeaching wholeheartedly supports
and endorses this software. It will make a difference
with your child or student. |
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Click
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School
Features
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The Internet in
Education:
Ten Years Later - Cheaper, Easier
by Tony Vincent
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Tony Vincent is an independent education and
technology consultant based in Omaha, Nebraska. He is author of Handhelds
for Teachers & Administrators , webmaster of www.learninginhand.com
and www.tonyvincent.net,
and has provided professional development to educators all over
the U.S. He is truly the guru of handheld technology
applied to the educational area of the world.
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In 1998 not many people could publish on the World
Wide Web. Sure, big companies like Yahoo! and CNN had websites. But, the
typical Internet citizen was limited to being a consumer of the Web. As
a fifth grade teacher at the time, I was really excited about the
possibilities of students distributing their work online. Before I had
access to a classroom website I had students write book reviews and post
them on Amazon.com. Students did indeed love publishing on the World
Wide Web. They took their work more seriously because they weren't
writing book reviews for only the teacher's eyes--they had a real-world
purpose for writing.
Eventually my school district made it possible for
me to have a classroom site. My students named it Planet 5th. Planet 5th
was full of student writing, artwork, photos, and videos. In fact, my
students and I started to think of our classroom as a Web publishing
organization. We took great pride in building Planet 5th over the course
of the school year.
One of my favorite year-long projects was The Daily
Planet. It was our daily log of the day's events, written by a student
who was the 'roving reporter' for the day. The reporter's job was to
write an article about that day's activities and learning. Each of my
students were fortunate enough to have a Palm handheld computer with
attachable keyboard so the reporter could type the article at school or
at home. The next day I would get the reporter's article off the
handheld and put it up on Planet 5th. I would also include photos the
reporter took with a digital camera. Students loved being the roving
reporter and their writing certainly improved over the course of the
school year.
My fifth graders left with Planet 5th on a CD-ROM,
giving them a evidence of their learning and preserving memories of
their final year in elementary school. Their collection of work became a
digital portfolio and each student made a page for Planet 5th to show
their growth as a learner.
As much as students loved Planet 5th, they loved
those Palm handhelds even more. We began using them in 2001. At that
time, handhelds did not have Wi-Fi (and schools did not have wireless
networks). We used the handhelds primarily for drill and practice
activities, word processing, and organization. Without Internet access,
the uses for the handhelds were somewhat limited.
Fast forward ten years to 2008. While I have left
my own classroom to empower students and teachers with technology as an
independent consultant, I am thrilled that my vision of technology in
the classroom has become much easier to realize for typical
teachers.
The Web has moved from being published only by
companies to everyone having the ability to be online content producers.
Anyone can post a video to YouTube, a podcast to iTunes, or a blog on
Blogger. In fact, blogging has made the roving reporter activity a
manageable one in many classrooms. Unlike years ago, blog services make
publishing a snap. No knowledge of Dreamweaver, HTML, or FTP is
required.
Today, almost all handheld and portable devices are
Wi-Fi enabled. With access to the Internet, these devices can get to
those online videos, podcasts, and blogs. And for about the same price
paid for our Palm handhelds in 2001, schools can buy a complete laptop.
The ASUS Eee PC and the XO are two in the growing list of ultra-small
and ultra affordable laptops. Additionally, according to Apple, the iPod
touch is becoming a 'mainstream Wi-Fi mobile platform.' A bevy of
applications are on their way for the iPod touch and there's no denying
it has a powerful Web browser. And we mustn't forget handheld computers
from the likes of Palm and HP are packing lots of useful features
nowadays.
There's no denying the Internet is essential for
teaching and learning. It's important that every student can access the
information, tools, and social interactions the Web offers. I'm pleased
that 2008 brings affordable, portable computers so the Internet can be
in the hands of students. I want to see more schools invite these
devices into their doors with the goal of each and every student having
the educational benefits of a computer and the Web. An extraordinary
classroom experience can be a reality for teachers and students!
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From the Office: For
Administrators |
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Grand Valley State University
Masters Degree in Administration
by Jerry Judge |
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Eight years ago Grand Valley State
University began a Masters program in Education Leadership in
Petoskey. The initial class had two sections of 30 students
each. From the beginning the program was successful, eventually
expanding the the number of offerings as to allow the total
Masters Degree offering in Petoskey.
As the popularity grew the Wexford- Missaukee ISD in Cadillac
requested the same program. Initially we had one section with
about 15 students, that program has also increased to what it is
today, a total Masters Degree in Ed. Leadership.
In northern Michigan today we have over 20 administrators
that have received their administrative position as a result of
the program. In addition several individuals are in
administration positions throughout the state and
overseas.
The program in Petoskey has move to Boyne City, but continues
the same success. In addition a Specialists program will begin
added this Spring as many receiving their Masters wish to
continue to the next degree, the Specialists.
From feedback of former and present students the success of
the program is a result of The Weekend format, the
practically of the program, the hands on approach and the
quality of the instructors.
If you would like more information on the program contact
Jerry Judge at 231-258-2935. |
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Year of the
Dogman
A new novel by Frank Holes, Jr. |
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Part mystery, part science fiction, Year
of the Dogman is an imaginative, compelling, and adrenaline-pumping
adventure. Author Frank Holes, Jr. takes no prisoners in creating a
diabolical creature that leaves the forest to prey on the hapless hamlet
of
Twin
Lakes
in
Northern Michigan
. When night falls, the nocturnal beast, Dogman, scares the living
daylights out of anyone he happens upon as he searches for a timeless
treasure stolen from a Native American tribe. In the midst of the chaos, a
young teacher is forced to put two and two together no matter how high the
cost to rid the village of the treacherous man-beast who thrives on
destruction and terror.
The Dogman, a creature of
MythMichigan, is an excellent example of modern-day folklore to
study in your classes.
http://www.dogman07.com
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Order your copy by clicking the link below.
|
|
Teachers:
We now have special offers on Classroom Sets of our Novel.
Click here for more information:
ORDER
A CLASS SET
|
New
Teachers' Niche:
A Place for New Teachers, Student Teachers, and Interns |
|
Modeling
Student Behavior by Frank
Holes, Jr.
Middle School Teacher
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Whether you as a teacher realize it or not,
you are the best model of behavior in your classroom. A large
part of your proactive behavior plans should include your own
behavior you demonstrate to the students every day.
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You must set expectations for your students, demonstrate the
behaviors, and be vigilant to correct the kids. Don't waver on your
expectations; inconsistencies will only confuse the students and cause
you more problems.
If you stay calm, collected, and in control, your students will exhibit
the same behaviors. The same is true about enthusiasm; if you are
excited about your lesson and truly believe in its importance, the kids
will respond in kind. Conversely, the kids will know when you are tired,
bored, don't want to be there, or are 'winging it.'
If you are late to class, or don't start on time, the kids will pick up
on it and be more likely to do the same. The same is true about the way
you dress, the way you act, the language you use, and your 'body
language'.
If you want your students working from 'coast to coast', or from bell to
bell, you need to set the expectation of activity all hour. Start with a
warm up, and ensure the kids are doing it. Keep them busy on activities
with transitions between each. Don't let there be any down time. Work
them to the end of the period, and have them pack up when you say so,
not whenever they want to.
If you want your students to quietly read in class, but you are spending
that time working on other things, it sends the message that you don't
value the activity personally. Modeling the skill for the kids
reinforces your belief that it is important. It shows you as a lifelong
learner who values the skills you're teaching them.
The same is true for writing, or labs, or math problems. Students rarely
have the chance to see real people performing schoolwork - for many, the
only examples (and role models) are their classmates. Work along with
your students.
Now this doesn't mean you have to do this the entire time. You must also
supervise, coach, monitor, and actively support their learning.
But you can spend at least a few minutes 'at their level'.
Be a positive role model for your students. Don't just explain and show
the behavior; be the example day in and day out.
Interested in FREE writing activities you can print out and use
immediately in your classroom? Simply click the following link to our
writing page: http://www.starteaching.com/writing.htm
Be sure to check out our website for the FREE teacher Who-I-Want-To- Be
plan and other great Freebies for new teachers. Simply click the
following link: http://www.starteaching.com/free.htm
|
Be sure to check out our website for more great
information, tips, and techniques for new teachers,
student-teachers, and interns in teacher prep programs. Also be
sure to check out our Who-I-Want-To-Be teacher plan for
preparing yourself to enter the educational profession. Simply
click the following link: http://www.starteaching.com/free.htm
Want to check
out the articles in our Student-Teaching series? Check out our
special Student-Teaching page through the following link: http://www.starteaching.com/studentteachers.htm
|
|
Be sure to check out our website for more great
information, tips, and techniques for new teachers,
student-teachers, and interns in teacher prep programs. Also be
sure to check out our Who-I-Want-To-Be teacher plan for
preparing yourself to enter the educational profession. Simply
click the following link: http://www.starteaching.com/free.htm
Want to check
out the articles in our Student-Teaching series? Check out our
special Student-Teaching page through the following link: http://www.starteaching.com/studentteachers.htm
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Are There Other Teachers in Your
School or District Who Would Love to Receive Our Newsletter?
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pass along our website and newsletter!
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"The
Seven Wonders of the World "
Themes
on Life
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Can you name all seven of
them? Are you sure you have them right?
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Junior
high school students in Chicago were
studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At
the end of the lesson, the students were asked
to list what they considered to be the Seven
Wonders of the World. Though there was some
disagreement, the following received the
most votes:
1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. The Taj Mahal in India
3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona
4. The Panama Canal
5. The Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall
While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet
girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was
having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a
little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so
many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and
maybe we can help."
The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the
World are:
1. to touch...
2. to taste...
3. to see...
4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)
5. to feel...
6. to laugh...
7. and to love.
The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop.
May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things
we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we
don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.
Enjoy your gifts!
It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad,
it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday
and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring.
Let us, therefore, Live but one day at a time.
See more of our Freebies as well as Special
Reports on our website by clicking the quick link below:
http://www.starteaching.com/free.htm
Make sure to BOOKMARK our website so you can
keep up with more changes and additions through the year. And feel
free to share our site by EMAILING it to a friend.
http://www.starteaching.com
Email us at editor@starteaching.com
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|
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In This Week's Issue
(Click the Quick Links below):
Reader Response: Ask Dr.
Manute:
Quick Review of Curriculum, Instruction, and Improvement Strategies
The
Effective Teacher
School
Features:
The Internet in Education: Ten Years Later - Cheaper, Easier
New
Teacher's Niche:
Modeling Student Behavior
From
the Office: Administrators:
Grand Valley State University Program
Themes
on Life:
"The Seven Wonders of the World"
10 Days of
Writing Prompts
10
Days of Math Problems
Winter
Book Sale for Teachers
Book
of the Month
Club
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our
FREE NEWSLETTER
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"The
difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of
strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will."
~Vince Lombardi
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StarTeaching Links:
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to access our website)
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StarTeaching
Newsletter Articles & Archives
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an Article for our Newsletter
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THIS IS
IDEA CENTRAL:
THE PLACE FOR ALL
TEACHERS!
Do you have a great TEACHING
TIP or ACTIVITY to share?
Are you using an innovative
TECHNIQUE in your class?
Have you created WRITING
PROMPTS that you’d like to add to our WEEKLY CALENDAR?
We welcome, and are always looking for teachers to share
successes, stories, and ideas with our readers.
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editor@starteaching.com
Or click the following link:
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AN ARTICLE
All articles will be proofread, and may be edited for
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|
10 Days Of
Writing
Prompts |
|
Day
1 |
Why is it
important to celebrate SUCCESS? |
|
Day
2 |
Describe THREE
different Successful Events in your life. |
|
Day
3 |
What does it
mean to be a SUCCESS? |
|
Day
4 |
What are FIVE
ways you can celebrate a SUCCESSFUL endeavor? |
|
Day
5 |
Create a short,
10 question TRUE/FALSE quiz to cover this week's class information. |
|
Day
6 |
What is the
difference between an Successful person and everyone else? |
|
Day
7 |
What are FIVE
traits of Successful people? |
|
Day
8 |
Describe THREE ways you can be
more successful in school. |
|
Day
9 |
How can you be
Successful in achieving your dreams? |
|
Day
10 |
Write down FIVE
important facts you've learned this week in class. |
10 days of writing prompts
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BOOK of the MONTH
|
|
The Five Dysfunctions
of a Team
By Patrick M. Lencioni
|
Coming Soon:
Preparing for Student
Teaching Technology & Teaching:
Seamless Integration into Curriculum Getting
Ready for Next Year
Setting Up Your Classroom
|
10 Days of
Math Problems
by Mary Ann Graziani |
| Day 1 |
Given
a cube, draw a second figure with a square base, having 8 edges, 5
vertices and 5 faces |
| Day 2 |
If
every vertex of a regular pentagon is connected to every other vertex,
how many triangles are formed?
|
| Day 3 |
If
you begin with a one digit integer, multiply by 3, add 8, divide by 2
and subtract 6, you will get the integer back. Find the number
|
| Day 4 |
Nancy
worked on the farm for 17 hours one week.
19 hours the next week, and 21 hours the third week.
How many hours did she average each week?
|
| Day 5 |
If
Jane is older than Kim, Kim is older than Shawn. Shawn is younger than
Jane and Rachel is older than Jane.
List the people from oldest to youngest.
|
| Day 6 |
What
time is it 1 hour and 20 minutes before 4:15 P.M.? |
| Day 7 |
There
are 12 people in a room. 6 people are wearing socks and 4 people are
wearing shoes, 3 people are wearing both. How many people are in bare
feet |
| Day 8 |
Write
the ratio 82:75 in two other forms?
|
| Day 9 |
How
many minutes is 3 hours 44 minutes?
|
| Day 10 |
Place
the digits 9,4, 7, 6, 5, 1, in the boxes in order to get the largest
result.
[ ][ ] x [ ][ ] +
[ ] x [ ] = ? |
Winter
Specials!
Educational/Teaching
Books
for Sale!
(Affiliated with
Amazon.com)
|
