Day: April 15, 2020

Classroom Management: Ways to Keep Your Class Running Smoothly

Running a well-oiled classroom is something you should always strive to do. Whether it’s scheduling, planning, or creating adaptable lessons, a well-run classroom can seem like an overwhelming thing to strive for.

But with a few tips, teachers can use classroom management to run a well-oiled machine. Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned educator based on the East Coast, offers up some ways to keep your class running smoothly. Her tips include:

  • Set Expectations
  • Establish Routines
  • Check for Understanding
  • Get Ahead of Schedule
  • And More!


Janelle sums up her article thusly, in a paragraph entitled “Connect with Students”: If you want a smooth-running classroom, then you need to be respected by your students. The best way to do this is to connect with them. Learn about them and their interests. Ask questions and be supportive. Take the time to really get to know each and every one of them beyond just their names and a few quick facts.

What do you do to keep your classroom running smoothly? Share your thoughts under the comment section.

Get our classroom management tips on how to keep your class running smoothly>>

Video: Learning Retention for the Special Education Teacher
Check out this video that we recently published on TeachHUB magazine, always available for free, in which we outline ways that ways that the special education teacher can increase their students’ rates of learning retention.
Not surprisingly, learning retention doesn’t differ that much from student to student regardless of his or her academic acumen, but there are some unique ways that a special education teacher can insure that the lessons they administer won’t be forgotten after the test is over.
Today’s video outlines learning retention ideas for special education teachers to do just that.
View the video for how the special education teacher can boost learning retention>>
Use TeachHUB’s In-Service Professional 
Development Speakers
Did you know we have ready-made speakers to assist you with your next in-service day? Wed do! With our assistance you can:
  • Get tailored professional development training to fit any budget
  • Save time and energy by letting us organize your in-service
  • Find industry-leading expert speakers to train your teachers
  
All are 100% satisfaction guaranteed!

HOW TO ADOPT NEURODIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Diversity has ratcheted up the boardroom agenda as companies increasingly recognize the potential that a rich mix of different backgrounds, attitudes and experiences bring to innovation and decision making. But most companies are still laggards in the key area of neurodiversity in the workplace, which means hiring individuals that think differently.
According to a recent poll by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), at least 10 percent of the population has dyslexia, is on the autistic spectrum, has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or has some other neurodivergent way of thinking that sets them apart from the neurotypical majority. Yet, according to the same poll, only one in 10 U.K. firms say neurodiversity is included in their organization’s people management practices.
There’s a massive pool of talent that many organizations are overlooking because as a recent CIPD report outlines, different neurodivergent groups have unique strengths. Autistic people, for example, often have a talent for problem-solving and analytical thinking. Dyslexics, meanwhile, are often highly inventive and creative—famous figures with this condition include Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and director Steven Spielberg, both of whom have made tremendous contributions in their fields. And, those with ADHD are often skilled at taking calculated risks and thinking innovatively, so it’s no surprise that many entrepreneurs, such as JetBlue Airways founder David Neeleman, fit this profile.
Organizations such as SAP, Microsoft and JPMorgan Chaseare already reaping the benefits from neurodiversity initiatives. Here’s how to make neurodiversity in the workplace a talent management priority.

Reboot Recruitment

There are a number of barriers that can trip up neurodivergent candidates during the recruitment phase, starting with the job description. Companies often aim to hire generalists—people who have many skills and are adaptable—but there is also room for people with narrower, deeper skills.
When putting together a job description, recruiters need to distinguish between the ‘must-haves’ and the ‘nice-to-haves’ for each role to attract more neurodiverse candidates. It’s tempting to include phrases such as “excellent communication skills,” for example, in every job description, but this could scare off talented applicants who are autistic or dyslexic. If it’s not a core skill, then make that clear in the job description.
Interviews can also serve as a disadvantage to people that struggle with social interactions as a result of their disorders. Generally, interviews test a candidate’s social competence rather than their ability to perform a particular role. A better way to test abilities may be to bring individuals in for a work trial or assessment.
HR teams also need to train interviewers in neurodiversity and inclusion to ensure that they can look beyond any social awkwardness and find ways to enable candidates show their skills.

Tweak the Workspace

Making small adjustments to someone’s work environment can make a big impact. For example, allowing individuals with certain disorders to use a quiet area of the office to work or providing them with headphones can improve the productivity of people who find noise stressful or distracting.
It’s also worth asking employees about the specific accommodations they might need to ensure they have the necessary tools to perform their best. Then, managers can follow up on whether or not employees are thriving with their accommodations and make changes as needed.

Train Managers

Managers can make or break neurodiversity efforts because they are the ones who put neurodiversity theory into practice. To help all individuals thrive under their leadership, managers need to think about each employee’s strengths and challenges, including their preferred channel of communication, how they like their workspace and other preferences.
HR needs to give managers the neurodiversity training and tools they need to make them more aware of neurodivergent thinking styles and continue to assess managers to ensure that they have the skills needed to manage employees’ individual needs. By focusing on managers’ people skills, HR teams can ensure that they make the work environment positive for everyone, not just those with neurodivergent thinking styles.
Ultimately, we are all different. It’s time for smart employers to recognize that sometimes it pays to adapt to employees’ needs rather than expecting them to conform to an arbitrary standard.

Better Classrooms through Professional Development

Today on TeachHUB.com, we again address a rhetorical question: Why is teacher professional development important?
Statistically, it’s been soundly proven that professional development greatly increases the effectiveness of a classroom and helps develop better students.
Our frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox addresses the important issue of professional development for educators. She asserts that professional development must continue throughout the course of a teacher’s career, from start to retirement.
Janelle notes that professional development must be embedded in the educational system, can produce hard data, and must be ongoing.
In summary, Janelle notes: “Ongoing professional development is the number one way that teachers can stay on top of their profession, and remain an effective teacher. In order for teachers to receive well-designed professional development, leaders must spread it out over a period of time. Above all, it’s important to remember that effective professional development includes collaboration, sustained learning and leadership, research-based information, and active knowledge.”
What have you done to increase your professional skills? Share your thoughts with us!
Get our tips on how professional development can help improve your classroom>>
Multimedia Podcast: The Special Ed Classroom
As you facilitate learning with your special education students, remember that they will make gains when their learning is both hands-on and easily applicable to life. Here’s an illustrated guide on how to do just that.
TeachHUB Magazine is always FREE to download.
Watch our Special Ed podcast>>
Use Our Professional Development Speakers to Energize Your Next In-Service Event
Did you know that TeachHUB.com can help you plan and execute your school or district’s next professional development of in-service day?
It’s true! Our roster of professional speakers is tailored to fit any budget, and by using us, you can save valuable time and energy – and our turnkey solutions are 100 percent guaranteed!
Some of the topics our experts are prepared to address:
  • Singapore Math
  • Guided Reading
  • Motivation
  • Anti-Bullying
  • And More!

Here’s what some educators have said about our professional development solutions:
“Great service specialized to what I needed. Quick and thorough attention to detail and very professional.” — Casey Paulus, Principal, CSR Academy.
“The material was presented in an honest, relevant, and engaging way. I plan to start using some of her techniques this week!” — — Michelle G., High School Science Teacher.

Technology in the Classroom: Developing Search Skills

Getting teachers to harness technology in the classroom has long been a passion of ours at TeachHUB.com, and we regularly publish articles explaining to teachers how to use technology in the classroom to enhance their overall academic experiences.

With that noble pursuit in mind, today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, who is a seasoned elementary school educator based on the East Coast, enlightens us on some ways that teachers can use technology in the classroom to help them search the Internet, certainly an increasingly valuable skill in today’s schoolroom.

Janelle encourages teachers to:
  • Teach Students to Check their Sources
  • Teach Students How to Ask the Right Questions
  • And More!


Janelle sums up her article like this: “Developing Internet search skills is an important 21st-century skill. Students must hone their search skills by learning how to identifying their information and cross-checking it with other reliable sources. Students should always keep in mind that anyone can write an article online and it’s up to them to figure out if they are credible source or not.”

Do you think it’s beneficial to educate students on Internet search skills? What do you think are the essential skills students need to develop in order to keep up with 21st century skills? Please share your thoughts, we would love to hear them.

Get our technology in the classroom tips on developing better search skills>>

Get a Teaching Job: Cover Letter Tips
When you’re seeking that new (or first) teaching position, you can never underestimate the power of the cover letter.
Recently we outlined several surefire cover letter tips that could possibly land you a teaching job, including:
•   Keep your cover letter on target
•   Keep your tone conversational
•   And more!
What cover letter tips have we missed? Do you have any surefire tips?
Get our teaching cover letter tips>>
Let Us Solve Your Professional Development Issues
Did you know that the K12 Teachers Alliance, the parent company of TeachHUB.com and TeachHUB magazine, can be the solution for your next in-service session?
We sure can! And our team of experts can address a variety of topics, from gifted education to Singapore math to bully prevention!
Our solutions are tailor-made, designed to fit any budget, and are 100 percent guaranteed!

Test-Taking Teaching Strategies to Share with Your Students

Today on TeachHUB.com, the folks at Chalkupshared with us some teaching strategies in the form of test-taking tips, knowing that standardized test season is upon us. So wit SATs and ACTs aswirl in the minds of kids everywhere, today we look at different time-tested study methods.
Today’s studying ideas (and detailed ideas to carry them out) include:
  • Study Tunes
  • Flashcards
  • Create an Online Support System
  • And More!

Today’s article ends like this: “During a hectic test season, keep a stack of flashcards by your bedside. It’s a great pre-sleep activity when it’s a good idea to power down anything with a screen (turning off screens is really helpful for catching Zs, but that’s another blog post). For everywhere else, look for a trusty digital flashcard deck that travels well.”
What are your outside-the-box study ideas? Share them with us!
Get our teaching strategies for test-taking>>
Five Fun St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Your Class
With St. Patrick’s Day one week away, it’s time to dust off your shillelagh and get ready to celebrate that greenest of all holidays with some fun and educational classroom activities!
These time-honored classroom activities, compiled by frequent TeachHUB.com contributor Janelle Cox, will have your class searching for that elusive pot of gold. Her recent ideas include:
•  Lucky Charms Graphing
•  What Would You Do With a Pot of Gold?
•  Leprechaun Library
•  And more!
 Do you have a great idea or activity to help teachers celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with their class?
Get our March 17 classroom activities>>
Download TeachHUB Magazine for FREE today!
This month in the always FREE TeachHUB Magazine, we offer up some new female heroes to honor during Women’s History Month, and we review three new apps designed to help kids learn and enjoy reading.

HOW TO ADOPT NEURODIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Diversity has ratcheted up the boardroom agenda as companies increasingly recognize the potential that a rich mix of different backgrounds, attitudes and experiences bring to innovation and decision making. But most companies are still laggards in the key area of neurodiversity in the workplace, which means hiring individuals that think differently.
According to a recent poll by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), at least 10 percent of the population has dyslexia, is on the autistic spectrum, has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or has some other neurodivergent way of thinking that sets them apart from the neurotypical majority. Yet, according to the same poll, only one in 10 U.K. firms say neurodiversity is included in their organization\’s people management practices.
There\’s a massive pool of talent that many organizations are overlooking because as a recent CIPD report outlines, different neurodivergent groups have unique strengths. Autistic people, for example, often have a talent for problem-solving and analytical thinking. Dyslexics, meanwhile, are often highly inventive and creative—famous figures with this condition include Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and director Steven Spielberg, both of whom have made tremendous contributions in their fields. And, those with ADHD are often skilled at taking calculated risks and thinking innovatively, so it\’s no surprise that many entrepreneurs, such as JetBlue Airways founder David Neeleman, fit this profile.
Organizations such as SAP, Microsoft and JPMorgan Chaseare already reaping the benefits from neurodiversity initiatives. Here\’s how to make neurodiversity in the workplace a talent management priority.

Reboot Recruitment

There are a number of barriers that can trip up neurodivergent candidates during the recruitment phase, starting with the job description. Companies often aim to hire generalists—people who have many skills and are adaptable—but there is also room for people with narrower, deeper skills.
When putting together a job description, recruiters need to distinguish between the \’must-haves\’ and the \’nice-to-haves\’ for each role to attract more neurodiverse candidates. It\’s tempting to include phrases such as “excellent communication skills,\” for example, in every job description, but this could scare off talented applicants who are autistic or dyslexic. If it\’s not a core skill, then make that clear in the job description.
Interviews can also serve as a disadvantage to people that struggle with social interactions as a result of their disorders. Generally, interviews test a candidate\’s social competence rather than their ability to perform a particular role. A better way to test abilities may be to bring individuals in for a work trial or assessment.
HR teams also need to train interviewers in neurodiversity and inclusion to ensure that they can look beyond any social awkwardness and find ways to enable candidates show their skills.

Tweak the Workspace

Making small adjustments to someone\’s work environment can make a big impact. For example, allowing individuals with certain disorders to use a quiet area of the office to work or providing them with headphones can improve the productivity of people who find noise stressful or distracting.
It\’s also worth asking employees about the specific accommodations they might need to ensure they have the necessary tools to perform their best. Then, managers can follow up on whether or not employees are thriving with their accommodations and make changes as needed.

Train Managers

Managers can make or break neurodiversity efforts because they are the ones who put neurodiversity theory into practice. To help all individuals thrive under their leadership, managers need to think about each employee\’s strengths and challenges, including their preferred channel of communication, how they like their workspace and other preferences.
HR needs to give managers the neurodiversity training and tools they need to make them more aware of neurodivergent thinking styles and continue to assess managers to ensure that they have the skills needed to manage employees\’ individual needs. By focusing on managers\’ people skills, HR teams can ensure that they make the work environment positive for everyone, not just those with neurodivergent thinking styles.
Ultimately, we are all different. It\’s time for smart employers to recognize that sometimes it pays to adapt to employees\’ needs rather than expecting them to conform to an arbitrary standard.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Technology in the Classroom: 5 Great Holiday Websites

It’s never too early to begin the holiday season, and today on TeachHUB.com, frequent technology in the classroom contributor Jacqui Murray takes a look at five different websites that children of all ages will get a wintertime kick out of.
If you’re a tech teacher, you’ll be able to use all five; other teachers can find the age-appropriate ones quite easily.
The subject matter varies from the 12 days of Christmas to a Santa Tracker to a Penguin-themed learning site.
Have fun!
Learn more about 5 fun websites for you to further use technology in the classroom>>
Teaching Strategies: How to Teach Social Skills
Today, teachers instruct students on interacting with peers, listening, and resolving conflicts, among other things.
Indeed, it can be a challenge to teach kids concepts such as encouraging others, following directions, and listening actively.
In a recent TeachHUB.com article, author Janelle Cox outlined some teaching strategies that educators can use to alter their curriculum to address these fundamental skills.
Three key foundational elements Janelle laid out include teaching the social skill, practicing it, and reviewing it. She also gave distinct classroom examples on how to carry out each of those elements.
By following the teaching strategies mentioned, 21st-century educators will be better equipped to instruct their classes on the social skills they’ll need to succeed not just in the classroom, but in the workplace following graduation.
Learn about teaching strategies that will help you teach social skills >>
Download TeachHUB Magazine for FREE Today!

In this month’s issue of TeachHUB magazine, we instruct readers on how to use YouTube in the classroom productively, and feature a helpful organization called Marchbook Learning.
Did you know TeachHUB magazine is FREE? It is, and it’s a terrific resource designed to help you become a better educator.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Classroom Management to Turn Parents into Partners

Many teachers believe that the key to the proverbial educational castle is parental involvement. In theory, teachers strive to include parents at every step of the educational process; but in reality, many “Don’t take the necessary classroom management steps to reach out to parents and make them partners in their children’s education,” says frequent TeachhUB.com contributing writer Jordan Catapano.
Jordan, who is a veteran high school English teacher based in the Chicago suburbs, today investigates some classroom management methods to build partnerships with your students’ families.
Jordan’s ideas include:
  • Class Newsletters
  • Social Media
  • Invite Parents In
  • And More!

Jordan sums up his article like this: “Overall, schools and parents share the same goals. They have powerful common values that bring them together. Consider to what extent you and your school are partnering with families around these common values, and look for your next step to leveraging those relationships even further.”
What experiences do you have partnering with families? Share your classroom management ideas with our TeachHUB.com community your advice in a comment below!
Get our classroom management ideas to convert potentially passive parents into active learning partners>>
Subscribe to the TeachHUB.com Newsletter
Each and every week, we send out an e-newsletter featuring the best articles and ideas from teachHUB.com. It’s the perfect way for you to keep up with what’s new each and every week – and it’s delivered straight to your inbox!
The TeachHUB.com newsletter also offers up an array of new lesson plans each week, and we spotlight the hottest trending articles from our website as well!
Subscribe to the TeachHUB.com newsletter >>
10 Celebrities Who Were in the Teaching Profession
In one of our most entertaining (haha) posts in some time on TeachHUB.com, today we took a look at some celebrities that have spent time in the teaching profession. Penned by Jordan Catapano, a seasoned high school English teacher in the Chicago suburbs, the article mentions:
  • Gene Simmons
  • Andy Griffith
  • Sting
  • Hugh Jackman
  • And more!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Classroom Management: 6 Authentic Assessment Tools

Assessments, or the way that educator measure how well kids are learning and, therefore, how we can predict they will perform in future academic endeavors, have become an integral part of education reform.
Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Jacqui Murray outlines several new methods through which teachers can assess learning, including:
  • Polls
  • Warmups
  • Quick Quizzes
  • And more!

All in all, Jacqui asserts that assessments that are new and fresh to the students, like the ones she outlines in today’s article that require students to think creatively and critically, are the best benchmarks through which teachers can measure academic achievement.
What do you use to organically assess student learning?
Get our guide to worthwhile classroom management assessment tools>>
Video: Learning Retention for the Special Education Teacher
Check out this video that we recently published on TeachHUB magazine, always available for free, in which we outline ways that ways that the special education teacher can increase their students’ rates of learning retention.
Not surprisingly, learning retention doesn’t differ that much from student to student regardless of his or her academic acumen, but there are some unique ways that a special education teacher can insure that the lessons they administer won’t be forgotten after the test is over.
Today’s video outlines learning retention ideas for special education teachers to do just that.
View the video for how the special education teacher can boost learning retention>>
Use TeachHUB’s In-Service Professional 
Development Speakers
Did you know we have ready-made speakers to assist you with your next in-service day? Wed do! With our assistance you can:
  • Get tailored professional development training to fit any budget
  • Save time and energy by letting us organize your in-service
  • Find industry-leading expert speakers to train your teachers
  
All are 100% satisfaction guaranteed!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

5 Classroom Organization Tips for the New School Year

Welcome to the 2012/2013 school year!  In the spirit of the season, I posted a question to my Facebook Fan Page fans about their professional resolutions for the new school year.

There were lots of fantastic ideas posted, but the one I kept seeing over and over again was the theme of being more organized in the classroom so that he or she would be able to leave after school and actually spend time with loved ones.

The new year brings with it the opportunity to reflect on what works and what doesn’t in our classrooms.  While many teachers do that on a regular basis with their teaching methodology, when was the last time you really thought about the effectiveness of your organization patterns?  It can really make a difference to you, your students, and colleagues!

Here are five classroom organizational tips and tricks to help you start the new school year off right:

Examining How Sleep Leads to Better Grades

Study after study has shown that not getting enough sleep can affect just about every aspect of a person’s life, from driving to working to even studying. Above all, studies show that in young people, the importance is of sleep is paramount.
Today on TeachHUb.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox  tackles the issue of sleep in adolescents, and notes that the proper amount of sleep is inexorably linked to better academic performance.
She also explains why kids aren’t getting enough sleep (technology can partially be blamed), and lays out proper amounts of sleep for kids of all ages.
Janelle sums up her article thusly: “To develop healthy bedtime habits for children, parents should try establishing a regular sleep schedule, keep technological devices out of the bedroom, and as limit sugary, caffeinated beverages before bed to help children get a better night’s sleep.”
Do you think getting enough good quality sleep at night leads to adolescents having better grades? Please share your thoughts on this topic in the comment section below, we’d love to hear your take on this important topic.
Subscribe to the TeachHUB.com newsletter
The TeachHUB.com weekly e-newsletter is the best way for you to learn about what’s new on TeachHUB.com any given week. It’s a top-to-bottom rundown of the best articles we’ve published every week, and it’s delivered straight to your inbox every Friday – for FREE!
By subscribing, you’ll receive the latest, cutting-edge educational news, free lesson plans, and more!
Get the TeachHUB.com newsletter TODAY >>
Download TeachHUB Magazine for FREE Today!
In a recent issue of TeachHUB magazine, we spelled out some GREAT gift ideas for your teaching colleagues for under $5 – but our ideas are NOT the typical coffee mug fare.
Likewise, we take a looked at three smart boards you may want to incorporate into your classroom, and offer up some tasty holiday treats guaranteed to bring a smile to the faces of your guests.
Did you know TeachHUB magazine is FREE? It is, and it’s a wonderful resource designed to help you become a better educator.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1