Tag: Education

Ed Celeb Interview: NEA prez Dennis Van Roekel

How will you distinguish yourself from previous NEA presidents?

NEA’s mission—great public schools for every student—is bigger than any one individual’s intentions. It’s more about the students our 3.2 million members serve. My goal is to continue the work of the Association in creating great public schools for all children. Obviously, I am going to have projects and issues that are “near and dear” to my heart. However, make no mistake about it, I plan for this Association to stay the course of making sure that all children—regardless of their race, zip code, or economic status—have access to quality public schools.

Read the rest of TeachHUB\’s ultimate union-insider interview with NEA president Dennis van Roekel.

Have ideas for other Ed Celebs to interview? Post in the comments section OR email me at acondron@teachhub.com

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

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>>
Technology in the Classroom: The New Literacy
Educators today work in a unique academic atmosphere: New means of sharing information have meant that traditional notions of “literacy” are completely outdated. Indeed, some of today’s common buzzwords like “tweet,” “blog,” and “ISP” are entry-level terms that even elementary-aged kids understand.
Beyond vocabulary, skills that assist students in wading through the reams of information available to them 24/7 are essential for succeeding in the modern classroom.
Today, frequent TeachHUB.com contributor Jordan Catapano takes a look at the ways that traditional notions of literacy have gone by the wayside and have been supplanted by more tech-heavy skills in a think piece entitled, “The New Literacy.”
What do you think about the new literacy? How literate are you, and how do we pass this on to our students?
Learn all about the new literacy>>
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!
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Top 12 Tips to Improve Student Writing

As a student, staring at a blank piece of paper while you’re expected to write an essay can be very intimidating, especially during timed in-class writing and standardized tests. You can put your students at ease with these simple essay prep tips.
These tips will outline a simple and effective way to write a timed essay, as you might have to do for the WSAL, PSAT or SAT. This is just the tip of the essay-writing iceberg, but you can get the whole picture in my book, KISS Keep it Short and Simple.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

How to Motivate Students: Tips for Middle Schoolers

Learning how to motivate students is of paramount importance for educators today. A bored and listless class is a reflection of a dull teaching style, and a bored and listless class is one that doesn’t learn.
Today, Janelle Cox, a frequent TeachHUB.com contributing writer, takes a look at the things that motivate children, including technology, friends and peers, and interesting topics.
She outlines several ways to motivate junior high-aged children, including:
  • Giving students a choice
  • Showcasing student work
  • Rewarding Respect
  • And More

Above all, Janelle intones that showing a genuine interest in your students and their lives can go a long way toward creating an atmosphere of motivation.
How do you motivate your middle school students? Do you have any ideas that you would like to share?
Learn how to motivate students that are in middle school>>
Free Interactive Whiteboard Resources
Interactive whiteboard resources are another tremendous way that teachers can engage their classes. Although teachers can spend an inordinate amount of time designing their own whiteboard activities, very few of them are aware of the sheer amount of existing whiteboard resources available for FREE online today.
We compiled a big list of resources for teachers to use; check them out and save yourself some time!
What are your favorite online whiteboard resources?
Get our list of free interactive whiteboard resources>>
Our In-Service Program Can Address Anti-Bullying Efforts
Did you know that TeachHUB’s in-service professional development program can include an anti-bullying focus?
During a TeachHUB in-service day, teachers will participate in various anti-bullying activities and learn strategies they can use to help prevent and intervene with bullying behavior and participate in modeled exercises to create self-awareness within a child.
Teachers will learn how other educators are encouraging anti-bullying behavior in and outside of the classroom across the country.
Why book an in-service day through TeachHUB.com? 
TeachHUB.com professional educators can help you design original seminars to fit your school, district and teachers\’ needs.
•  Established seminars can be brought to your school or district
•  Wide variety of speakers and topics
•  We work within your budget and schedule
•  Superior customer service and accessibility
But our expertise isn’t limited to just anti-bullying seminars. We’re also prepared to address differentiated instruction strategies, tiered activities, inclusive education and more!

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Tuesday Teacher Picks

This week\’s teacher recommended website, books and school supplies are….

Website: Big Huge Labs
See recommendation & details

Kids book: Groundhog Weather School by Joan Holub
See recommendation & details or Get Book (scroll down)
Classroom Management Tool: Kagan Selector Tools Software
Instructional Tool: Place Value Decimal Cubes
See recommendation & details or Get Place Value Decimal Cubes (scroll down)
Find more of this week\’s Teacher Picks
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Benefits of Technology in the Classroom

TeachHUB.com has long been a proponent of teachers using technology in the classroom. We have been a longstanding supporter of teachers trying new teaching strategies with the latest technological gadgetry at their disposal.
Today, frequent TeachHUB.com contributing writer Janelle Cox gives us a reminder of the benefits of using technology in the classroom, including:
  • Technology in the Classroom Makes Learning More Fun
  • Technology Helps Students Learn at Their Own Pace
  • Technology Prepares Students for the Future
  • And more

Do you embrace technology in your classroom? What benefits do you think technology has for your classroom?
Read our take on the benefits of using technology in the classroom>>
Restorative Justice in School Discipline
Since the invention of schools, teachers and administrators everywhere have employed the same procedures for all classroom infractions: A kid who threatened a teacher or got into a fight would basically receive the same discipline as a student with multiple tardies, for example (detentions, in-school suspensions, ultimately expulsion).
But a newer approach to school discipline called restorative justice could is revolutionizing the way teachers and administrators handle punishment. Rather than only administering punishment, restorative justice is based more on talking and listening than on delivering consequences. The technique brings together those who have caused and experienced harm and providing all parties with equal attention.
Frequent TeachHUB.com contributor Jordan Catapano enlightens readers on restorative justice, in a must-read guaranteed to make you rethink your disciplinary approach.
What is your school’s approach to restorative justice? What are the impacts that a restorative justice mentality has had on your school?
Learn more about this groundbreaking approach to school discipline>>
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Get "Lost" in Your Lesson Plans

Lost is back and ready to bring some island mystery to your classroom!

In honor of the long-awaited last season of the hugely popular show, here are some Lost-inspired lesson ideas across grade levels and subjects.

Since Lost watchers are so passionate about the show, it seems like a fun way to teach a lesson that includes watching an episode in class (yay!), offering some extra credit to older students, or just using the get some thinking-outside-the-box lessons.

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

Get “Lost” in Your Lesson Plans

Lost is back and ready to bring some island mystery to your classroom!

In honor of the long-awaited last season of the hugely popular show, here are some Lost-inspired lesson ideas across grade levels and subjects.

Since Lost watchers are so passionate about the show, it seems like a fun way to teach a lesson that includes watching an episode in class (yay!), offering some extra credit to older students, or just using the get some thinking-outside-the-box lessons.

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

Post-Reading Teaching Strategies

Some surefire ways to ensuring that your students achieve full reading comprehension include employing various teaching strategies that prompt students to summarize, reflect, and apply what they’ve just read.
Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox examines several teaching strategies for teachers to try today to boost reading comprehension, including:
  • Exit slips
  • Frame routine
  • And more!

What after-reading strategies do you like to use in your classroom? Do you have favorites that work well in your classroom?
Learn how to use post-reading strategies to improve your kids’ reading comprehension>>
Winter Teaching Ideas
Your holiday break is an optimal time to begin preparing for wintertime lesson plans (if you haven’t devised them yet, that is).
Our winter teaching ideas, written by contributor Janelle Cox, include learning about animals in winter, learning about various winter holiday celebrations, and reading winter-themed books and stories, which include:
  • “The Winter Solstice Paperback” by Ellen Jackson
  • “Lights of Winter: Winter Celebrations Around the World” by Heather Conrad
  • “All About Hanukkah” by Madeline Wikler
  • And more!

Do you have any winter teaching ideas or activities that you would like to share?
Get our winter teaching ideas to warm up those cold classroom days>>
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? 

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

The ABCs of Block Schedule Teaching

Among all the resources teachers wish they had more of, time is always on top of the list. How often do you get to a key point in a lesson – and the bell rings?

Block scheduling is meant to address those lost teachable moments that occur when students are shuffled to six classes a day. Sometimes called “modular scheduling,” this approach divides the school day into longer class periods, sending students to fewer classes each day.

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

The Dad and the Teaching Profession

Studies have shown that male teachers tend to bond more with male students – indeed, research has indicated that participation and inspiration increases for male students when they have a same-gender teacher.
So today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributor Jordan Catapano celebrates the male teacher. In his article, he notes that many countries around the world are actively rercruiting men to become teachers:
“It’s no wonder, then, that many countries are trying to bring more males in the classrooms. When men – especially dads – are brought in, they are able to provide a unique range of impacts that benefits legions of students. No student loses when a teaching dad is a part of their life. And since a teacher who brings his paternal qualities into the classroom may also bring his teacher qualities to his home, no child of such a father loses either.”
This article originally appeared in TeachHUB magazine, always available for free.
Read more about men entering the teaching profession>>
Awesome Lesson Ideas to Integrate Science Across the Curriculum
Recently we took a look at how to take a cross-curricular approach to learning – specifically we examined ways in which science could be creatively woven into other subject areas.
For instance, did you know there are plenty of poems that address scientific topics? Some examples include:

After reading these texts, Your students can then have their own Poet’s Corner by writing various poems (e.g. haiku, tanka, free verse, sonnet) to reflect science concepts and then sharing them with the class!
But science can easily be integrated into other topics, including art, P.E. and even social studies.
What are your lesson ideas for integrating science?

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Spice Up Your Class Rewards

Here we are- about half way through the school year and right smack in the middle of winter. This is the time of year when I routinely feel

a) so sick of inside recess and the resulting afternoon of madness that I could scream,
b) like I have million things to cover and oh-my-goodness where did the time go and
c) bored to death with my prize box.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you are bored by your routine, blah, been-sitting-in-the-treasure-chest-since-September prizes, so are your students.

Here are some of my favorite class rewards that won\’t cost a dime!

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

Technology in the Classroom: Best-Kept Teaching Secrets

The key to successfully teaching technology in the classroom is to instruct kids to help themselves. By empowering them to become problem-solvers and risk-takers, we’ll also be encouraging them to learn how to troubleshoot technological issues.
Today, frequent TeachHUB.com contributor Jacqui Murray examines seven ways that educators can make tech learning fun and easy for students, including:
  • Make Tech Authentic
  • Let Neighbors Help Neighbors
  • Teach Students Keyboard Shortcuts
  • And More!

How do you make technology fun for students?
Read about some not-so-well-known technology in the classroom secrets>>
10 Tips to Help Students Set New Year Goals
According to frequent TeachHUB.com contributing writer Janelle Cox, the start of the calendar year is the perfect time to teach children of all ages the importance of setting and meeting goals.
Today we offer up 10 tips that teachers can use to help students set goals, including:
  • Teach the Importance of Setting Goals
  • Help Improve Unrealistic Goals
  • Have a Monthly Conference
  • And More!

“If all students set a goal and had the same end date and they all achieved their goal, celebrate with a class party! Then have students set new goals,” Janelle says.
Happy New Year! What are some ways you teach goal setting in your classroom? Do you have any new year goals set for yourself?
Learn how to help your students set new year goals>>
Activities to Develop Students\’ Spelling Skills
In this era of spellcheck, it’s easy to gloss over the importance of spelling in the classroom. But all teachers know the importance of accurate spelling acumen and how it affects the mastery of the English language.
Earlier this year, writer Janelle Cox outlined some new spelling mastery activities that will help your kids enrich their phonemic awareness skills, which will in turn help them learn to spell. These tactics included:
•   Go on a word hunt
•   Roll the dice
•   Create a story
Janelle also noted that practicing spelling in the for of repetition is a key to mastering the art of that skill.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Super Bowl Special: Interview with 2x Ohio Coach of the Year Steve Specht

Cincinnati high school football coach Steve Specht has been with his alma mater St. Xavier for the last 16 years. After a winning season that brought them all the way to the Ohio regionals, Specht still strives to teach his players to become good men.
Coach Specht, considered one of the best all-around coaches in the country, was kind enough to share his insights what makes a good coach and a great teacher.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzOJDJZHoBttdHAjJsnN9w?sub_confirmation=1

Post-Holiday Classroom Activities

Many teachers struggle with re-energizing their classrooms after the holidays. Students are excited to be back with their friends, for sure, but they’re also still stuck in that twilight zone of late bedtimes and altered eating times, among other changes that happen anytime a lengthy break from school occurs.
Today on TeachHUB.com, frequent contributing writer Janelle Cox illustrates how educators can design some classroom activities that incorporate what students did over their holiday breaks into the curriculum, so that students can quickly get back on track and get motivated to learn once again.
Some of these tactics include:
  • Make New Year’s Resolutions
  • Play a Fun Game
  • Host a Party
  • And More!

Do you have any post-holiday classroom activities that you would like to share?
Learn more about post-holiday classroom activities that will kickstart your students this new year>>
Top 12 New Year\’s Resolutions for Teachers
We recently compiled a list of the top resolutions for teachers – a list definitely worth revisiting this time of year. Our list includes:
  • Spice Up Your Classroom Routine
  • Get Your Work/Life Balance in Order
  • Plan Your Move Up the Payscale
  • And More!

“Don’t underestimate how felling good in your clothes and wearing something you love can lift your mood and start your day on a positive note. Grab a few new, fun pieces to add to your typical work outfits and turn those hallways into your own personal runway!” our writer encourages.
What resolutions will you bring to your classroom in the new school year?
Get the top TeachHUB.com-recommended new year resolutions for 2015>>
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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! 
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