Month: April 2020

Teaching Strategies: Narrative Writing for Elementary Kids

It’s never easy to teach narrative writing to elementary-aged kids. And with the onset of the Common Core State Standards, which call for more fact-based writing, the need for more narratives is increasingly important.
With that in mind, today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned educator based in Upstate New York, takes a look at some  teaching strategies along with a few quick tips to get your students writing narratives more effectively.
Janelle’s ideas include tips for each age group. Here are her tips applying for kids from kindergarten through 2nd grade: “During the early primary years students are just beginning to learn about writing and the writing process. This is the best time to prime students and give them the knowledge about the elements of narrative writing. Reading both fiction and nonfiction narrative stories will help prepare them for when they are a bit older, and when their writing skills are more developed. While reading a narrative, generate a class discussion about the characters, setting, plot, problem and solution. This pre-writing skill will help students build a timeline of the events that occur in the story, and it’s a skill that will develop as they get older.”
Janelle sums up her article thusly: “In order for students to effectively write a narrative, they should learn and memorize every key component of a narrative writing piece. The best way to do this is to memorize the nursery rhyme mentioned above. Once they master that, they will be able to better organize their thoughts onto paper and it will all be smooth sailing from there.”

How to do teach narrative writing to your elementary school students? Do you have any tips or tricks that you would like to share?

Classroom Management: Your First, Last 2 Minutes

Sometimes, connecting with students for just a few minutes of each class period can be just as important as utilizing every single second of each class period.
Frequent contributing writer Jordan Catapano, who is also a seasoned high school English teacher in the Chicago suburbs, explains how use classroom management to build relationships with students, which can go a long way toward achieving a successful class.
Jordan’s ideas include:
  • Tell a story
  • Show them something I care about
  • Welcome the student who has been gone
  • And more!

Jordan sums up his article this way: “This article is not focus on learning, but rather on the learning environment. I find that when we build relationships with our students, we are making an investment that has payoffs in the immediate and distant future. Students feel respected, understood, and confident when their teacher notices them. They feel comfortable in class, and more prone toward positive social and learning behaviors. If I were to sit down and “Do the math” on the best way to spend our first and last minutes together in class, I firmly believe that allocating that time towards relationship building makes a bigger impact than squeezing in four more minutes of instruction. What do you think?”
How do you spend your opening and closing minutes of class? What are other ways you intentionally build relationships with students? Tell our TeachHUB.com community all about it!
Get our suggestions for using classroom management to connect with students>>
Video Review: 7 Technology in the Classroom Tools
In a recent edition of the always-free TeachHUB magazine, we took a look at seven essential technology in the classroom tools that educators can use to liven up their classroom and help them be more effective teachers.
TeachHUB magazine is always full of the latest educational technologies and enlightening articles. Best of all, it’s always FREE!

Teaching Strategies: Make the Most of Your Day

Most adults are strapped with the daily conundrum of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. And it’s even worse for teachers, who are known to make 1500 decisions throughout the course of a normal teaching day.

With that in mind, frequent TeachHUB.com (and TeachHUB Magazine) contributing writer Janelle Cox, who is also a veteran educator based on the East Coast, takes a look at the various teaching strategies that allow educators to regain control of their busy days.

Janelle’s ideas include:

  • Create Procedures
  • Divide and Conquer
  • And More!


Here’s how Janelle ends today’s centerpiece article: “Try a few of these tips out and see for yourself how your time will slowly begin to free up. If you start utilizing these teaching strategies early in the year, then you will see how much time you can really spent on the important stuff, like instructional l time with your students.”

How do you make the most of your workday? Do you have any teaching strategies that you would like to share with us?

Get the TeachHUB teaching strategies on how to make the most of your day>>

Teaching Strategies to Involve Parents
One of the best time-tested ways to build up the academic abilities of students is by creating teaching strategies that engage parents. When mom or dad (or both) gets actively involved in the classroom setting, it almost always leads to report card success. The publication School Community Journal even acknowledges, “There is a sizable body of research literature supporting the involvement of parents in educational settings and activities.”
Of course, getting parents involved in your class is no easy task. But recently on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Jacqui Murray, who is also a technology teacher, outlines several ways that educators can engage parents in their classroom goings-on, including:
•   Create a family-friendly environment
•   Hold parent classes
•   Communicate with parents
•   And more!
Overall, Jacqui notes that in addition to their classroom roles and teaching strategies, teachers need to be parent resources and that they need to be accessible to them.
How do you involve parents in your classes? How successful is this effort?

    5 Strategies for Reinforcing Vocabulary

    Oftentimes in academia, kids will memorize vocabulary words and their meaning, take the test, and forget all about the words and how to use them.

    But this misses the point of teaching. Kids need to retain their vocabulary words beyond the test. With this point in mind, today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Jordan Catapano, himself a veteran high school English teacher in the Chicago suburbs, takes a look at some teaching strategies that teachers can use to facilitate and reinforce the retention of vocabulary words.
    Jordan’s ideas include:
    • Play Games
    • Create a Word Wall
    • Collaborate with Other Teachers to Create Cross-Curricular Vocabluary
    • And More!

    Jordan sums up his article thusly: “So whether you’re holding students academically accountable for building a cumulative vocabulary, modeling vocabulary usage itself, or showing students that the terms they’re learning are relevant beyond the four walls of your classroom, make sure that you’re taking time to reinforce vocabulary words that students may otherwise forget. Our brains are designed to get rid of unused information, and too often our important vocabulary terms are memorized and then forgotten. But when we strategically apply any of the simple techniques listed above, we’re much more likely to help students embrace new words for the long term.”
    How do you help reinforce essential vocabulary for your students? Share your strategies with our TeachHUB.com community!
    Get our teaching strategies for reinforcing vocabulary>>
    How to Get a Teaching Job in Today’s Economy
    Finding any job in this economy can be difficult, and for potential teachers, it’s even more difficult. Teachers looking for jobs are up against both seasoned veterans and rookies for a coveted position.
    Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributor Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned educator, takes a look at the top ways that educators can put themselves ahead of the job-seeking pack.
    Janelle’s tips include:
    • Be willing to move
    • Substitute teach
    • Get letters of recommendation
    • And more!
    •  

    All in all, by using the techniques listed out today, your search for a good job will be that much easier.
    Do you have any tips on how to find a teaching job in today’s economy?

    Classroom Activities that Honor the Student of the Week

    Kids love being the center of attention. So why not honor a student each week and have your class celebrate him or her?

    It’s a lot of fun, as frequent TeachHUB.com (and TeachHUB Magazine) contributing writer Janelle Cox shows us. Janelle intones that honoring a student of the week is a great way to foster a sense of community in your class, and gives kids a chance to get to know one another.

    Janelle’s specific ideas for honoring a student of the week include:

    • Poster day
    • Student’s favorite book
    • Special duties
    • And more!


    Janelle sums up her article like this, in a subsection entitled Star Friends: “The star of the week will receive a class poster of the star that was on the bulletin board with their picture. It will include compliments from each student in the class as well as special drawings from the students.”

    How do you honor your star of the week? Do you have any different events or activities that you do in your classroom? Please share your ideas!

    Get TeachHUB’s classroom activities that honor a student of the week>>

    Extracurricular Activities: The Sports & School Balance

    Educators, parents, and students alike all struggle with finding and determining a balance between extracurricular activities like sports and traditional educational activities like learning and classwork.
    It’s tricky to find that balance, but today on TeachHUB.com, guest author David Serwitz offers up some ways that eduactors, parents, and coaches can find the balance between sports and academics.
    For instance, David says, teachers can:
    •    Remember the Benefits of Sports
    •    Actively Teach Time Management Skills
    •    Encourage Students to Use Available Resources
    •    And More!
    David sums up his article thusly: “Finding balance between sports and academics requires a team approach. With the right help and communication from all parties involved, students can benefit from playing a sport, while still enjoying a quality academic experience.”
    How do you keep a balance between extracurricular activities and academics?

      Classroom Activities Celebrating Passover

      Passover is one of the Jewish religion’s most celebrated holidays. Commemorating how God freed the Jews from bondage in Egypt with the leadership of Moses, the holiday revolves around many stories and is celebrated through food and a special dinner called the Passover Seder.
      Illuminating kids on the traditions involved with Passover can go a long way toward promoting diversity within your classroom, which can’t help but foster a greater sense of community.
      With that community-building mindset at the forefront of modern education, today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned educator based in Upstate New York, takes a look at some of the ways you can use classroom activities to celebrate Pasover.
      Janelle’s ideas include:
      • The Facts (some background on the holiday).
      • The Food (food during the Seder is very symbolic).
      • The Haggadah (a book that has many stories, songs, and literature about how the Jewish people were freed).

      Janelle sums up her article thusly, in a paragraph titled The Literature: “Throughout the Hebrew month of Nissan choose a few of these stories about Passover to read to your students.

      “Passover: Celebrating Now, Remembering Then” by Harriet Ziefert and Karla Gudeon
      “Miriam’s Cup: A Passover Story” by Fran Manushkin
       “The Passover Seder” by Emily Sper”

      Do you celebrate Passover in your classroom? If so, how do you do it? Please share with us any activities or ideas that you have students partake in.
      Get TeachHUB.com’s classroom activities that celebrate Passover>>

      Technology in the Classroom: A Guide to Spring Cleaning
      Elsewhere on TeachHUB.com today, the folks over at Chalkup contributed some ideas for cleaning and organizing your ed-tech.
      “Spring is creeping in, and with it comes my seasonal desire to declutter, dust off, and generally organize all the things.”
      Their specific spring cleaning ideas include:
      • Kill Unused Apps
      • Clean Your Home Screen
      • Run Updates
      • Check Your Accessories
      • And More!

      The article addresses cleaning ideas for iPhones, iPads, Macbook  and Chromebook.

      The Challenges of Equity in Public Education

      A hot topic in educational and academic circles these days is equity in public education – or the notion that all students, no matter their geographic locale or socioeconomic status – should be given equal education opportunites.
      It’s a principle steeped in history, philosophy, and tradition, and today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Jordan Catapano, himself a veteran high school English teacher in the Chicago suburbs, weighs in on the topic of equity in a great think piece.
      Jordan sets out to ask us to, “Consider some of these important distinctions that go into how schools, districts, and states provide equity in education.” His important distinctions, which are accompanied by well-researched reasoning, include:
      • Horizontal and Vertical Equity
      • Performance Equity
      • Monetary Equity
      • And More!

      Jordan sums up his article like this: “This doesn’t mean we need to despair, though. As Americans, we take pride in our ideals and – though implementing them is always a challenge – we allow high standards to guide our day-to-day decisions and debates. With equity as our goal, we can then ask ourselves the question, “How can I create an equitable solution to meet the needs of each student and best allocates the resources of our school?” It’s a challenging question, but one each school leader, district administration, state legislature, and federal secretary can grapple with to help students everywhere thrive.”
      Read today’s think piece on the equity in public education>>
      How to Get a Teaching Grant
      Now that we’re in the depths of winter (and many of us in the colder regions are anticipating spring already), it’s time to start thinking about how to apply for those coveted teaching grants.
      Today on TeachHUB.com, we look at how educators can begin to apply for teaching grants. We offer up a step-by-step guide on the process.
      First, you need to determine which classroom (or school-wide) projects your grant will be directed at. Are you looking to get some iPads? Some more books?
      You’ll also need to:
      •   Get the backing of your school’s administrators
      •   Learn how to search for grants
      •   Carefully follow directions
      •   And More!
      Do you have your own tips for getting teaching grants? 

      Teaching Strategies: Decoding Text

      Decoding text forms the benchmark of reading. Decoding involves breaking down words into chewable syllables that kids in grades K-2 can see and understand. Kids will need skills of decoding to read at the most basic level, and to learn better reading comprehension.

      But students can still struggle with decoding. With that in mind, today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, herself a seasoned elementary school educator based on the East Coast, lays out some simple teaching strategies involving decoding text that are both fun and enlightening.

      Janelle’s teaching strategies include:

      • Take it Letter by Letter
      • Use Picture Clues
      • Skip the Word
      • And More!


      Janelle sums up her article thusly: “Give these reading strategies a try in your classroom. Make sure to keep them posted in the classroom for easy reference and print out the simple fun tool called “Sticky words.” You can add a photo of each animal to each strategy if you like. Remember, in order for children to have full reading enjoyment they need to first learn how to decode and comprehend what they are reading. Once they have mastered that, then they will have it all right at their fingertips.”

      Do you have any decoding text strategies that you would like to share? Please share your classroom activities and ideas. We would love to hear your thoughts. You never know, you may just help a fellow teacher out!

      Get our teaching strategies for decoding text>>

      Bring Play into the Common Core State Standards
      The Common Core State Standards have been tagged as being complicated, overly dogmatic, and inconsequential, among other things. The Common Core State Standards have never, to our knowledge, been lumped in with anything “fun.”
      But today on TeachHUB.com, regular writer Janelle Cox asserts that despite the Standards’ stodgy reputation, elements of “play” can still make their way into a Common Core State Standards-based classroom.
      Some ideas:
      •    Create Learning Stations
      •    Have a Fun Friday
      •    Create Choice Boards
      How do you incorporate play into your Common Core Classroom? Do you have any fun ideas that you would like to share? 

        ARE SOCIAL REFERRALS REALLY THE ANSWER TO ATTRACTING PASSIVE CANDIDATES?

        Will our vast social networks open up access to the elusive passive candidates like never before?
        Clearly the growing number of specialist social referral products hope this will be the case but the one thing they all have in common, is their need for the job which originates in the ATS. This means the employer will need to integrate their ATS with the referral system to make it seamless for both the recruiter and the candidate.
        But what if you could just switch it on in your ATS because social referrals were built in as standard?
        That would put you well on your way to getting that elusive social referral system without the need for any third party integration or of course additional costs!

        Youth has its advantages

        As some of the “younger” recruitment systems have been developed during the social era they know the importance of our social networks so have made sure social is part of their standard ATS functionality. Such as:
        • Auto matching of relevant candidates from your employee social networks.
        • Simple sharing of selected jobs across your chosen networks.
        • A single view of the applicant regardless of source.
        • Referral source tracked so the credit always goes to the right person.
        Employee social referrals may be a relatively new concept yet the job application still needs to be part of the standard recruiter process rather than an after-thought or bolt-on separate system. Ease of use for the recruiter is key but it’s vital that the employee interface is also simple and convenient to maximise engagement with employees.
        Of course, some will question how successful social referrals will really be and question whether they should invest the time and money before the market has proven itself. Valid points; it may still be too early to tell but if your ATS has this functionality built in as standard there’s no reason not to use it. And whilst everyone else is still wondering, you’re hiring and thriving in the new untapped mines of social referrals.

        Seeing is believing

        I’m the type of person that likes to see systems for myself before I believe they really exist so if you’re like me, why not go and see the Cornerstone Recruiting Cloud and many others for yourself at iRecruit in Amsterdam on the 20th and 21st June this year.
        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

        Technology in the Classroom: An Overview of Adobe Spark

        Today on TeachHUB.com, we look at Adobe Spark, a “Free graphic design app that allows students and teachers with no design experience to create impactful graphics, web stories, and animated videos.”
        Adobe Spark is robust and flexible, and allows users to save and utilize files in a variety of formats. Jacqui Murray, a veteran tech teacher based in Northern California, looks at the app today on TeachHUB.com and finds it quite positive: “I like that Spark focuses on image sites like Flikr and Pixabay where access requires Creative Commons licensing.  This is an authentic application of digital citizenship rights and responsibilities, and reminds students that these legalities are an integrated part of their education workflow.” She also likes that Adobe Spark is free.

        Jacqui also lists out ways that teachers can use Adobe Spark, including:

        • Background for a Presentation
        • Web Stories
        • Book Report
        • Portfolios
        • And More!


        Jacqui sums up her article thusly: “If you use a boatload of different webtools to create videos, posters, explainers, infographics, cover pages, and more, you\’ll be excited about this one-stop-shop tool. Next time, just open Spark and start. You won\’t be sorry.”
        Get our technology in the classroom overview of Adobe Spark>>
        Subscribe to the TeachHUB.com Newsletter
        Each 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!
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        Classroom Management: Bringing Art, Music Back
        Budget cuts have historically leveled arts and music programs in schools first. It’s too bad, because for many kids, art and music are two of the subjects that are favorites.
        Beyond that, research has shown that art and music curriculums help kids with language development and IQ, they help students visualize elements like solving math problems, and they help improve test scores.
        If your district has slashed arts and music programs, we’re sorry. But with a little outside-the-box thinking, you can use return music and art to your own classroom in creative ways. Frequent TeachHUB.com contributor Janelle Cox today outlines some easy ways that teachers can do just that.
        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

        Anti-Bullying Tactics for the New Year

        Anti-bullying tactics are still worth executing in your class. And with the new year coming up, it’s a perfect time for you to work on some anti-bullying classroom activities to help stamp out this issue once and for all.
        Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, who is a seasoned elementary school educator based in Upstate New York, looks at some Anti-Bullying Tactics you can use in your class today.
        Janelle’s ideas include:
        • Lace up and Run Against Bullying
        • Stomp Out Bullying with a Contest
        • Wear the Color Blue
        • And More!

        Janelle sums up her article thusly, in a paragraph called “Stand Up to Bullying” School Assembly”: Another amazing way to show a united front is to have a school-wide anti-bullying assembly. Invite a speaker into your school or have your own student-led assembly. You can go online and download the student-led assembly kit that incorporates the “Not in Our School” core principles with students taking the lead in addressing bullying and intolerance in school. You can also invite a speaker like the “Stronger than a Bully” program that is fun for all ages.
        Make this New Year the year that we finally put an end to bullying in our schools. The more we talk about it, the quicker it will eliminate it.
        How will you stand up to bullying this year in your classroom? Please feel free to share the anti-bullying ways you’ll stomp it out in the comment section of the actual article on TeacHHUB.com, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
        Use these classroom activities to promote anti-bullying efforts in your school>>
        Subscribe to the TeachHUB.com Newsletter
        Each 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 >>
        Subscribe to TeachHUB Magazine
        Recently in the always FREE TeachHUB Magazine, we offered up some new female heroes to honor during Women’s History Month, and we reviewed three new apps designed to help kids learn and enjoy reading.
        We also explained why music and arts important in today’s curriculum, despite the fact that they are often among the first casualties of budget cuts.

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

        ATTENDING IRECRUIT EXPO AMSTERDAM? PETER GOLD GIVES YOU HIS TAKE

        The two-day agenda for iRecruit in Amsterdam is packed full of great content. I’ve been through the different sessions and picked out the ones I want to attend and will need to somehow be in three places at the same time.
        In total there are 36 sessions, 2 unconference sessions, a talent workshop, about 40 exhibitors, 5 coffee breaks and two lunch sessions plus 1 cocktail party. Phew.
        So here’s my plan for the two day event.

        Day One

        Plenary
        These all take place in the main conference room; day one is being kicked off with the good old “It’s broken” debate. I don’t necessarily agree with this viewpoint which makes it a good one for lively discussion to get the blood flowing early on.
        The next key session for me is “Hiring to Win” by Jerome Ternynck of Smart Recruiters which hopefully won’t be his usual sales pitch and will instead focus as per the agenda on the latest recruiting trends and innovations.
        At the end of day one the final key session for me is the panel debate “Your dream ATS.” It will be interesting to see how far today’s ATS is from their dream.
        Streams
        Running from 11:15 each day are a series of streams which are smaller groups talking about a range of topics such as:
        • Social.
        • Mobile.
        • Employer branding.
        There are also unconference streams a recruitment leadership lab.
        With so many to choose from I’ve made a list and will flit between streams and plenary as I can. The streams I’m hoping to attend are:
        • 2013 trends, innovations and future of talent technology.
        • Pushing boundaries in the world of mobile recruitment.
        • Going mobile with an integrated recruitment strategy.
        The debate will no doubt rage on late into the cocktail party as we have many opinions colliding from across the globe in the same place.

        Day Two

        Plenary
        Second day kicks off with “PepsiCo’s Big (Recruiting) Data” followed by “Influencing Direct Sourcing Methodologies and Internal Talent Communities” from SAB Miller before I escape for some coffee.
        I’ll then be back to the plenary to hear about modern Talent Acquisition models and then it’s decision time again. Stay where I am to hear Josh Bersin talk about “New Roles, New Technology, and Big Data Converge” or scoot off to the streams.
        The final session for me is “Hire to Win” by Ben Van Stekelenburg from Groupon.
        Streams
        William Tincup is the first stream with “Building your Social Brand to Win”.
        After lunch I was torn between “Social Recruitment by Deloitte” or “Creating and Managing an Exclusive Supply Chain” until I realised my stream “The Yukon Arctic Ultra – how your people make your employer brand” was at the same time. I’ll be talking about my 450 mile trek across the Yukon in February this year.
        HRN do put on great events but just looking at the schedule it’s tiring me out. I do think often “less is more” as there will be so little time in-between the sessions to talk to anyone. I do know from talking to delegates that they go to conferences to not only listen but also to talk; to other delegates and of course sponsors. Let’s hope for the second day afternoon speakers people still have the stamina to continue.

        Feedback as a Professional Development Tool

        Improving your own performance in the classroom is of critical importance. Some use professional development sessions, others read books, and other methodology. But a simple way for teachers to improve themselves is though getting feedback.
        Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Jordan Catapano, himself a seasoned high school English teacher based in the Chicago suburbs, takes at feedback and how to make it work for you from a professional development standpoint.
        Jordan spells out four ways to respond to feedback, including:
        • Give Lip Service
        • Say “Thank You” and Embrace It
        • And More!

        Jordan also lists out (and explains in detail) some previously undiscovered ways that teachers can glean feedback:
        • From colleagues
        • From evaluations
        • Film and give feedback to yourself
        • Uninvited feedback from students
        • And more!

        Jordan sums up his article thusly: “Receiving feedback is rarely what we’d call a “Fun activity.” The truth can hurt. Fortunately, the truth can also help make us better. While there are a variety of ways we can respond to the feedback cues around us, the best way is to absorb it, say “Thanks,” and thoughtfully reflect on what the feedback suggests.”
        How do you receive feedback? What are other ways we can embrace feedback as teachers? Tell us your thoughts!

        Classroom Management for an Effective Learning Environment

        Using classroom management to set up your class is of extreme importance. The physical layout of your class – where your desk sits, the shape of the seating arrangement, even the way students will move through the class – must be considered when you devise your class plan. These arrangements can affect student behavior, which in turn can positively or negatively alter grades and the overall learning process.

        Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox, who is also a veteran educator based on the East Coast, takes a look at the ways classroom management and your class’ physical structure can lead to an effective learning environment.

        Janelle’s article outlines:

        • Benefits of a Well-Designed Classroom
        • Arranging Your Classroom


        Janelle also spells out the essential areas of any classroom (which also includes details), including:

        • Home Base
        • Group Instruction
        • Transition Area
        • And More!


        Janelle sums up her article thusly: “In short, specific classroom features are relevant to what students are learning. Research shows that students benefit from a well-designed, well-structured classroom. Most importantly, if you find that your students are struggling with the design of your classroom then you must consider rearranging it.”

        How do you structure your classroom? Do you have tips that work well for you and your students? Please share your thoughts.

        Get our classroom management tips for creating an effective learning environment>>
        Classroom Management: How to Go Paperless
        The paperless classroom is always a hot topic du jour around Earth Day, when environmental preservation is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. But when the excitement of Earth Day fizzles out, so does talk about the paperless classroom, frequently.
        So today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Jacqui Murray examines the many benefits of the paperless classroom and offers up many tips and reasons for doing so. Here’s a look at her reasons why paperless is better than paper:

        •  It’s easy to collaborate when everything’s online.
        •  Nothing gets soda dripped on it or eaten by the dog.
        •  Students can collaborate without requiring parent time and gas fumes.
        Jacqui also mentions why digital note-taking is superior to traditional pen-and-paper methods:
        •  I can lose my paper and pencil; I usually don’t lose my iPad or Chromebook.
        •  Pencils break, points get dull.
        •  Handwriting can only get so fast, but keyboarding gets faster every year.
        •  Erasers disappear.

        She also takes brief looks at digital calendars, digital textbooks, digital newsletters, and screencasting.

        Jacqui sums up her article like this: “The next time your school decides to investigate paperless classrooms, offer to take charge. And then charge. The traditional classroom vs. paperless is like a cell phone vs. an iPhone.  Would you trade your smartphone for a 1983 Nokia mobile phone? Don’t ask your children to make that trade either.”

        What are your classroom management tips on going paperless? Please share!

        Prepare Your Professional Development Goals for the Year

        Attaining student growth and (hopefully) success is the all-encompassing goal of all education.
        But how do we go about brining that success to fruition? The answer might lie in our own professional development, in facing the things that we need to fix as educators. Perhaps we need to set professional development goals for ourselves.
        With this in mind, today on TeacHHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Jordan Catapano, himself a seasoned high school English teacher based in the Chicago suburbs, takes a look at some of the questions teachers need to ask of themselves as the new year dawns.
        Some of these questions include:
        • Are there school or district goals?
        • What would your colleagues say?
        • What will help students the most?
        • And more!

        Jordan also looks at some practical methods to use to achieve the goals you set for yourself, including:
        • Display what you wrote
        • Connect to others
        • Keep track of your progress
        • And more!

        Jordan sums up his article like this: “While your goals may be noble and well-intentioned, they don’t mean a whole lot if at the end of the day your students’ learning stays the same. So as you’re working toward improving yourself, make sure you remain focused on the real reason for improvement: To build the success of your students in the long run.
        What other advice would you give for setting goals? Share your thoughts with our TeachHUB.com community!
        Get our ideas on how to prepare your professional development goals for the year>>
        Multimedia Podcast: Social Networking in Classrooms for Teaching & Learning
        How can we use tools like Twitter and Facebook for effective learning?
        Find out in this week’s podcast, from the always-free TeachHUB Magazine.