Instructor (1990) articles from March 1999

Instructor (1990) archives from March 1999

Make time for tune-ups.(practicing Mathematics problem-solving skills)
March 1, 1999... Musicians practice scales. Basketball players practice foul shots. Math students also need short, focused, and frequent practice sessions All the math we learn is really to resolve problems. We study addition, measurement, and trigonometry...

Get kids' work published!(tips from children's magazine editors)
March 1, 1999... Top tips on how to do it from children's magazine editors When I was the editor of Scholastic News Edition 3, the classroom current events magazine, I received dozens of letters each month from youngsters wanting their work printed in the...

Planting the seeds of science: the school garden - a perfect laboratory for teaching science.
March 1, 1999... Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?" Students from Alaska to Florida are learning the fascinating answers to this question by working in gardens found just beyond their classroom walls - school gardens teachers have initiated...

Make room for rubrics.(scoring devices as teaching aids)
March 1, 1999... Rubrics are receiving high marks from teachers around the country. Here's how to use these scoring devices for authentic assessment Exactly how can teachers determine whether a student's piece of writing meets the standard of exceptional...

Should you be the boss? Soul-searching questions for teachers considering administration.
March 1, 1999... As a teacher, you manage the needs of 20 or more students at one time. Try handling 200, even 20,000 children - along with their teachers, parents, principals, and school boards. If that scenario excites you, you may have what it takes to be a...

Fact vs. opinion.(teaching of critical thinking)
March 1, 1999... I haven't been disrespectful. Honest. I did get everybody started using my word, but like you said, it's not anybody...." This passage from Frindle, by Andrew Clements (Simon & Schuster, 1996), is a perfect segue into a discussion about fact...

Writing about ancestors.(poetry writing for children)
March 1, 1999... Poetry is a wonderful way for students to celebrate their heritage and expand their own sense of self in their writing. In a way, writing a poem about an ancestor, using clear details and vivid language, can bring that person to life. At the...

Back to basics: no-frills, but super, drill-and-practice software.(use of computers in education)
March 1, 1999... Teachers often look for ways to go beyond the workbook to foster critical thinking in their students. When it comes to choosing software, they tend to take a similar approach, opting for programs that focus on creative problem solving rather...

Thomas at the bat: sometimes the class clown needs a little confidence.(student psychology)
March 1, 1999... On the first day of school, students are typically cautious, filing quietly into the classroom. So when Thomas came sauntering in, with a big, devilish smile and a loud, "Hiya, everybody!" I noticed him right away. I don't mind a big smile on...