Day: April 18, 2020

Best Teacher Blogs of the Year

Big thanks to TeachHUB’s bloggers for sharing their experiences in the classroom, thoughts and useful teaching tools with us all, especially with such busy teaching schedules themselves.

If you haven’t had a chance to get to know our bloggers, now is the time. Here are my favorite posts of the year:

Classroom Tales from the Bronx
by the policy-pondering Phil Tabernacle bringing us insights from his NYC charter school
While watching a PBS school documentary, I was struck by a question that one of principals asked her teachers, something along the lines of, “write down the name of your weakest student and what she or he specifically needs to work on to get back on track.”

As part of an independent reading unit at our school, we have explicitly instructed students to judge books by their covers. In fact, looking at the front and then reading the back cover are steps 2 and 3 out of five when deciding what book to begin next.

I began to wonder if subconsciously we are teaching our students to judge based on appearance by giving them this quick protocol for selecting a text. Then I started thinking about how often I do the same thing with my own classroom.

For years I’ve heard administrators tell me that I’m working too hard. They aren’t referring to my coming in early, staying late, or aggressively calling shotgun on committee seats. They’re talking about the way I plan and execute my high school English lessons.
“Tabernacle, let them do the work. You just guide them.”
But they’ll miss that allusion to the King James Bible or Star Wars, Episode IV, I think to myself. They’ll misinterpret the word “wherefore!”

Despite being one of the two nights a year that we are contractually obligated to stay in the building after the final bell rings, I genuinely enjoy Parent Teacher Night… for the most part.

Where else can you find “Parents of the Classroom Stars,” “The Hollow Wrecking Ball,” “The Talker” or “The Wake-Up Call”?

Science Under the Microscope
by our subject-specialist Paul Cancellieri who brings fresh perspective to the profession

What makes humans different? Being teachers and loving it!

While watching a panel discussion to promoteAlan Alda’s forthcoming PBS documentary, “The Human Spark,” the moderator asked each expert to summarize what he or she felt was the single characteristic that most clearly makes humans unique.
My favorite answer came from the hilarious Alda.

The phrase “in these current economic times” has become a bit of a cliche lately, but that doesn’t change the fact that our lives as educators will be changed for some time to come.
As science teachers, supplies can be more expensive than in other subjects. Here are some simple ways to reduce the financial burden of teaching science.

As this time of year rolls around, I have to admit to getting a little excited about some of the gifts that students and their families give in appreciation for a year as their science teacher. But with all things, the good comes with the bad…

In no particular order, and with appreciation for the effort and expense that goes into giving teacher gifts, here is my top five list of gifts that I would rather never receive again.

For me, any holiday season has always brought one of the strangest phenomena related to being a Science teacher.

I am both perplexed and amused when it happens. Surrounded by distant relatives around Easter ham or rubbing elbows with newfound friends during a heated egg hunt, it inevitably gets out that I am a Science teacher.

The Chalk Talks
by It’s Not All Flowers & Sausages-author Jennifer Scoggin with her elementary expertise and witty wisdom

Do you ever have on of those “I totally rock” moments when you step back, look around the classroom and realize that your kiddos are just fully engaged in their learning? (And then you pat yourself on the back because, most of the time, nobody else will.)

Maybe it’s my ego that’s brimming over, but I have recently had that feeling and it is addictive!

In my previous teaching life, and by that I mean in my heinous first job, I was forced to work with a scripted curriculum that made me feel more like a robot than an actual professional.

Let me paint a picture for you. This is how a math lesson went in my first grade classroom:

Hopefully, at this point, your year is chugging along nicely. You and your friends have settled into your routine and you’re off! It’s time to learn!

So what happens when you’ve been so engrossed in your teaching that it’s suddenly five minutes before the end of the day, you have a million odds and ends to take care of and nobody has their backpack yet? (Hint: the answer is not “freak out.”)


This is the time that you truly need to rely on your little friends to help you get it all done.

As I get closer to the start of another school year, I feel that anxious knot in my stomach leading up to the first day back.
It could have been all the sugary margaritas I drank while eating bon-bons with my feet up on the coffee table catching up on the latest episode of Oprah all summer, as all we teachers do, but I think it was back-to-school anxiety.

Ed Tech Made Easy
by Cheryl Oakes who always has the latest in useful teaching tech tools and 2.0

Have you ever considered becoming a videographer? Well, with a Flip video camera you can shoot, edit, produce and publish all in one afternoon.

Normally, I won’t endorse a product that you have to purchase, but I am making an exception with the Flip Video. This little camera is just the perfect tool for so many teaching activities that the payback, as they say in the commercial, is priceless.

Now, each of these activities could be done with a traditional camera. The Flip just makes it much easier to upload, edit and share your videos.

Rap music, you get crunk with it, right?

Maybe not, but many of your students know and love it. Here is a way to use their music to engage them with weekly news and current events.

Do you feel isolated in your job? Are you the only one trying out new technology tools? Do not fear! I have some great suggestions for you, they are easy, free, very welcoming and supportive!
You can exchange ideas with other teachers right here on TeachHUB.com, on the discussion board or by becoming a member of the TeachHUB community.
Here are 3 of my other favorites:

How many of you have a newspaper delivered to your school or classroom daily, weekly, monthly?

With Doodlebuzz, you can access hundreds of newspapers from around the country based on whatever curriculum or topic you want.

Now that you’ve had a chance to “meet” our teacher bloggers, share your favorite teacher bloggers and blog posts in the comments section!

Dos & Don’ts for Teaching to the Test

As the State Regents Exams draw close, it’s time to start teaching to the test if you haven’t already.

Those who don’t fall into the trap of test prep turn their noses up arguing that students should have learned the skills to pass an exam without ever having seen the likes of it before. The rest of us realize that with students entering 9th grade on a 5th grade reading level, two years is not enough time to get them ready to pass an 11th grade Literacy exam cold.

Pump Up Your Resolution Resolve

As 2010 begins, I know that many of us are scrambling to keep (or come up with) our New Year’s Resolutions. I think the extra long lines for the treadmill at the gym and the empty shelves of bagged salad at the grocery store speak for themselves.

This year I realized that there are two obvious problems with my resolutions.
1. They are horribly general. They don’t really name any specific behavior or situations.
2. They lack a plan. (And you know I love a good color-coded plan!)

Virtual Field Trips with Google Maps

I’ve always used Google maps for last minute directions, but I just recently discovered how to tap into its virtual field trip potential.

Turns out, you can literally get IN the map. It’s a phenomenal way to explore with your students (or on your own!). Just pick a location you’re learning about, scout it out before hand and let loose.

Tips for Happier, More Productive IEP Meetings

As a teacher, having to discuss a child’s deficits with his or her parents can be a very uncomfortable experience. Every parent wants their child to have a successful, happy life and that certainly is possible for students who are challenged with a disability.

Sometimes we are tasked with helping their parents see what wonderful strengths their child possesses. We bring in samples of work that show how much their son or daughter has learned, provide examples of the progress they are making, and speak with pride about their child’s educational victories. Other times, however, we have to discuss what challenges or needs the student is going to require help overcoming in order to achieve that success and happiness.

Often, parents are well aware of these strengths and weaknesses and are happy to work with their child’s teaching team to create a plan to support them, but sometimes things don’t go as smoothly.

An IEP meeting (or any parent-teacher meeting) may turn tense in a hurry if a parent:

* is confused or unaware (either accidentally or deliberately) of what difficulties their child has,
* wants a level of academic success or a career path for their child that might not be possible,
* feels that their child’s teaching team hasn’t done their job to the utmost of their ability,

In these instances, it is our responsibility not only to continue to be honest with parents, but also to find a way to get back to a place where the parent feels like a partner in their child’s teaching team – rather than an unhappy or confused outsider. I have found that this can often be achieved with some very simple communication tips:

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

The Curse of the Easy A

It’s time to say goodbye to an A for effort, no matter what your subject.

Many current music educators grew up in a time when being in an ensemble was solely about playing the music for the next concert. I personally cannot recall ever doing a worksheet or any real music theory work while in high school.

It seemed that all I had to do to get an “A” was come to my lessons, play at the concerts, and otherwise stay out of trouble. Outside practice was expected but not enforced. I did not realize until many years later that this method of teaching had set me up for years of mediocrity and frustration.

Pop Culture Lesson Plans

For a limited time, you can get full access to the archive of 500+ Printable Pop Culture Lesson Plans for the rest of the 09/10 school year for only $9.95.

After requests from teachers trying to connect content with student interests, the TeachHUB team created a Printable Pop Culture Lesson Plans. Pop Culture Lesson Plans are designed to enhance your existing curriculum while grabbing your students’ attention.

Pop Culture Lesson Plans are:

  • Access 500+ lessons through June 15, 2010
  • Available for K-12 grade levels and core subjects
  • Inspired by pop culture and news headlines
  • Aligned to national teaching standards
  • Valued at $29.95 for a one-year subscription
  • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
  • Ready to print, copy & assign in your classroom today!
You can preview Pop Culture Lesson Plans with these free samples.
Sign Up to get your Printable Pop Culture Lesson Plans today!

New Student Blog Project

This semester, I’m trying out a new project for my writing class. I’m inviting my students to start a blog about anything they want (within reason) in an attempt to get them excited (or at least relaxed) about writing.

I’d love to get some feedback from anyone who’s tried out blogs in the classroom…

Blazing the Trail for Bilingual Ed

After nearly 40 years involved in education trying to improve and promote Spanish literacy instruction and biliteracy education, Dr. Jilly Kerpa Mora recently received the Two-way California Association for Bilingual Education 2009 Promoting Biliteracy Award.

Dr. Mora shares her experience fighting to get bilingual education accepted across the map, as someone who’s been with the struggle from the beginning.

“Pants on the Ground” Video Writing Prompts

3-8: Pretend that you are an Idol judge. Choose the adjective that best describes Larry’s performance for:
– singing voice
– dancing ability
– original song
– entertainment value

Provide a one-two sentence explaining why that adjective best describes Larry’s performance.

Find “Pants on the Ground” prompts K-2 and 9-12, along with more YouTube writing prompts on the Teacher Tips page

Top 12 Classroom Management Dos & Don’ts

Does this sound familiar?

You labored all night creating a thoughtful, engaging lesson. You were confident that your students would enjoy it, only to have your excitement—and theirs—dashed by the antics of a handful of students. You spent all your time writing names on the board, calling out troublemakers’ names, and “ssshh-ing” them. You’re exhausted, irritated—both with them and yourself—and dispirited because you didn’t get through everything you needed to. Crushed, you don’t even want to think about planning for the next day, let alone doing it all again in your next class.

Learning simply cannot occur alongside misbehavior, so instruction hinges upon classroom management. Effective teachers are effective classroom managers. It’s essential that you handle disruptions in a non-confrontational manner, reinforcing rather than undermining your authority.

Mobius Response Model: A New Twist for Differentiated Learning & Gifted Education

Say goodbye to cookie-cutter curriculum and its predictable approach for all students.

Say hello to the Mobius Response Model that lets your students’ learning needs lead the way for differentiation and gifted education.

The Mobius Response Model (MRM) represents a creative structure for responding to individual students’ learning needs. It offers a user-friendly metaphor for effective gifted education by focusing on and connecting four critical foundational points for teaching and appropriately differentiated learning: (A) planning, (B) assessment, (C) programming, and (D) learning environment.

Dabbleboard: Teacher Website of the Week

Dabbleboard is a free basic Web 2.0 tool – part of the read-write web, meaning that you can read the website and also add to it, or write on the page. This site is a combination of a mindmapping tool, a collaborative tool, and an easy-to-learn online whiteboard.

Here are some ideas to get you started using Dabbleboard in the classroom – both for instruction and for student projects.

Put ’em to Work with Classroom Jobs

Hopefully, at this point, your year is chugging along nicely. You and your friends have settled into your routine and you’re off! It’s time to learn!

So what happens when you’ve been so engrossed in your teaching that it’s suddenly five minutes before the end of the day, you have a million odds and ends to take care of and nobody has their backpack yet? (Hint: the answer is not “freak out.”) This is the time that you truly need to rely on your little friends to help you get it all done.

Now, most of you probably already have a few classroom jobs posted and in full swing. Bravo! My challenge to you is to create even more jobs. Yes, more jobs! Our little friends love to help – sometimes to the point where them asking how they can help actually becomes less than helpful. At one point, I had a system where every single child in my class had some sort of responsibility each week.