I was a high school teacher during the mini-skateboard (they were officially called “Fingerboards”) craze of the early 2000’s. At the time, I worked with students who had trouble with self-control, focusing, and getting their work done. The day that a mini-skateboard flipped off a desk and hit anoth [...]
Sometimes, it helps to have an idea of how to respond to student behavior in a way that encourages students to own their actions, does not create a power struggle, and is consistent and effective. When using these scripts, issue each statement in a calm tone of voice, with normal voice volume. Be ca [...]
After presenting a teaching strategy workshop in Farmington, NH, I was contacted by Sarah Manter, one of the teachers who attended my program, with a question. During the program, I talked about how some teachers use blow-up beach balls with just a little air in them for their most fidgety students. Sarah asked if I had any ideas to deal with the squeaking noises that her secondary students were making when sitting on the balls.
Teaching Strategies for Note-taking: Many teachers use a two-column note taking strategy when giving notes to students. However, a colleague of mine takes this up a level by adding an additional column. That third column is used for test questions. This is one of those teaching strategies that really works.
Using goal setting as a tool in your teaching strategies tool kit is a powerful planning process for empowering and motivating students to take control of their progress and work toward something in which they are invested.