Search-Institute.org is a great site for ideas on working with kids. In their latest article they mentioned what they call HOT and COLD thinking. They call thinking ‘hot’ when it is energized and enthusiastic. ‘Cold’ thinking includes reflective notions such as analyzing and integrating ideas. As teachers, assistants and parents, we can help students develop… Read More »
Motivation is important at home, at school, and at work. So what steps help encourage individuals to actively engage? Clear objectives. Share the overview of your expectations. Brainstorm ideas on how to reach your goal. Provide resources to help reach that goal. Allow individuals to make choices within the project. If people are interested and… Read More »
Children’s books have been popular for kids as well as adults for decades. Many titles are older than grandparents! Here is a list of a dozen popular kids books followed by 4 questions I hope you will answer. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Alice in Wonderland The Chronicles of Narnia Where the Wild Things Are… Read More »
Thank you for sharing your ideas on ways to thank classroom volunteers. Here are a few to add to your list. Enjoy! 1. Use a candy or gum name that works as a compliment and give out a sample of that sweet treat: Starbursts “You’re a Star, a Burst of energy in my classroom… Read More »
Whether it’s now or later in the year, it’s important to thank volunteers. I stumbled onto great ideas on Pinterest. They are filed under Volunteers and also Volunteer Appreciation. Here’s a sampling of inexpensive ideas for school classrooms: Thanks a Latte for all you do. A tag to add to a coupon for a free… Read More »
Everyone likes to win. Whether it’s a game of checkers, a race around the yard or competing as an Olympic athlete, we all like to be named the winner. But not everyone can win in an event, so how to handle being the loser becomes important. Here are a couple of ideas: 1. Be magnanimous.… Read More »
When spare minutes arise during a task, this type of activity fits in easily. It requires no paper, pencil, pen or book. All you need is creative thinking. Ask one question. Use wait time to encourage better answers. Start a discussion. Examples: 1. A. Which is the most interesting animal and why do you think that: a… Read More »
Class lists of spelling words can often feel like a struggle of epic proportions for families. In addition to discussing the words, spelling them aloud, writing them down and using them in sentences, how can you do to help kids LEARN the words? 1. READ every day. The more a child reads, the more opportunities… Read More »
Education Week published an article on parent-teacher conferences (9-30-15) entitled Parent-Conferences Get a Makeover and written by Sarah D. Sparks. In the article she shares how districts have changed their format to academic parent-teacher teams (APTT). The idea is to create meetings where parents and teachers meet and share what they know about the… Read More »
Do as I say, not as I do is NOT the best way to share yourself with kids. Instead, it’s important to model behaviors you want your children or children in your care to emulate. So, what are those behaviors? (1) Manners How we treat others says a lot about who we are. Kids are… Read More »