While the United States settles into refining their Common Core State Standards, let’s take a quick look at a few of the why’s that make it important. * The benchmarks are international in nature and meant to reflect real world skills students need to complete in our global economy. * The standards hold teachers and… Read More »
The Search-Institute.org writes interesting articles for educators and families. Their article on February 3, 2016 addressed ways to support students as they take on m. Here are a few of their comments with my suggestions added onto each item: “Play with” the problem. Brainstorm, manipulate the facts, build models, step outside the proverbial box before… Read More »
Looking for a reason to celebrate something? Here’s a list to start your thinking and planning. Have fun! Brighten someone’s life. Go a little crazy. 1 Freedom Day 2 Ground Hog Day 3 15th amendment – Racial Equality Day 4 Rosa Parks Birthday 5 Western Monarch Day 6 Take Your Child to the Library/Girl Scout… Read More »
While the list of ways to say thank you to volunteers are near endless, the following inexpensive ideas stood out for my followers: Write a note sharing specific acts a voluinteer has done and thank them for their contribution. Ask your class to write short thank yous. Present the volunteer with a small house plant… 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 »
Next Saturday, Dec. 5th is International Volunteer Day. Make a plan to volunteer in support of others. Whether it’s a soup kitchen, a food bank, shopping for a home bound person or helping in schools make it happen. As 2016 approaches, find a way to work in 1-2 hours a week as a volunteer. Send… Read More »
Remember them? Venn diagrams are still an effective way to compare and contrast information. The two overlapping circles you create set up 3 areas to record your information. For example, think of apples and oranges. Use the far left section of the circle to represent distinct apple characteristics, the far right to represent distinct… Read More »
The following is part on an article from Search Institute: Character strengths can be hard to talk about in the abstract, so here are some provocative questions and examples that stimulate hypothetical conversations that unpack character strengths and how young people think about them. These can be used as icebreakers in classrooms or groups, during… Read More »