Instructor (1990) articles from November 2004

Instructor (1990) archives from November 2004

Media smarts.(EDITOR'S NOTE)
November 1, 2004... EVERY DAY, EVERYWHERE THEY GO, our students are swamped by media. Movie posters beckon them, emblazoned with larger-than-life images and critics' breathless quotes: "A knock-you-out-of-your-seat thriller!" Computer games are ever more frenetic...

Blast from the past.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... As a teacher, I really enjoy your magazine. I was wondering--in what year was Instructor first published?--Mindy Shepherd, via e-mail [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Editors: Thanks for asking! Instructor is the oldest and largest...

Instructor editors for a day.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Many of our fabulous teacher reviewers wrote to say how much fun they had as judges of Instructor's "Best of 2004 Products for Teachers and Kids" (October, 2004). Interested in joining Instructor's Reader Panel? E-mail your contact information...

Activities bonanza.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Thanks for the September 2004 "All-Activities" issue of Instructor. While I missed the theory and practice articles, it was a great time for an activities focus. Especially useful were "Everyday Study Skills" and "The 2004 Election: Kids Can...

The challenge of running records.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Thank you for publishing Connie Hebert's practical advice ("Running Records Every Day," August, 2004). The importance of using running records is known to many teachers, but implementation of the ideal can pose quite a challenge! I know...

Meeting the standards.
November 1, 2004... ARTICLE PAGE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE GRADES From Our 30 Understands the correct order of operations 6-8 Readers: for performing arithmetic computations; Holiday Selects and...

Multicultural celebrations: readers share tips for acknowledging the many holidays in children's lives.(TEACHER TALK)
November 1, 2004... Compassion Month Rather than acknowledging specific holidays, each class at our school works on a "compassion project" throughout December. These have included befriending the elderly, adopting pets, and raising money for sick children....

Circus of the kids.(News & Trends)(www.circusofthekids.com)(Circus arts training for students)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Fire-eating in the gym? Trapeze acts above the basketball hoop? It sounds astounding, but a program called Circus of the Kids packs up everything but the elephants and comes to schools to train students in the "circus arts." First, every...

Blog away.(News & Trends)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Purdue University professor Samantha Blackmon says it's OK if teens' blogs, e-mails, and text messages are riddled with errors--as long as they keep writing. "Yes, children are blogging about their friends and the movie they saw last night, but...

Lunchroom expose.(News & Trends)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Albuquerque got an abysmal F, Baltimore scored a D, and Las Vegas earned a mediocre C+. This year the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) issued its fourth annual School Lunch Report Card, which found that many schools fail...

Need a lift?(News & Trends)(www.pickmeup books.com)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... If you're feeling harried, a gentle daily reminder from www.pickmeup books.com may be just the remedy. Subscribe and get a free stress tip every day, such as how to ask for help, how to say no, and many more.

Over heard.
November 1, 2004... "For the cost of one percent of the Bush administration's tax cuts or the equivalent of one week's combat costs during the war in Iraq, we could provide top-quality preparation for more than 150,000 new teachers...." --Linda...

Editor's pick.(News & Trends)(Book Review)
November 1, 2004... No Excuses: Closing the Racial Gap in Learning, By Abigail and Stephan Thernstrom (Simon & Schuster, 2004). After closing in the 1960s and 70s, the gap in academic achievement between black and white children began widening again in the...

No passing!(NEWS TO PERUSE)(Safety and security measures of school districts)
November 1, 2004... The Jackson School District, in New Jersey, has always taken school bus safety seriously. They've implemented public announcement systems, fire suppression technology, and cameras to monitor students. The latest addition to the safety arsenal:...

Set up to fail.(NEWS TO PERUSE)(www.fairtest.org)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... A recent report from the National Center for Fair and Open Testing (www.fairtest.org) suggests that NCLB is aggravating and is not solving the problems that cause children to fall behind. So far, 27 states have filed bills or resolutions...

Pencil power.(NEWS TO PERUSE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Despite the demand for new technological devices in schools, the humble wooden pencil is still holding its own. PaperMate, the largest producer of pencils in the U.S., says that demand is strong, although interest in colored and mechanical...

Violence prevention.(News & Trends)(www.jenna druck.org)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Bullying creates volatile situations that can push kids to the edge, according to Dr. Ken Druck, the executive director of the Jenna Druck Foundation (www.jenna druck.org), a nonprofit that helps families cope with loss. Peer cruelty among...

Uncle John's junior board of directors search.(CONTESTS)
November 1, 2004... In this nationwide search, kids compete for spots on the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader "Junior Directors" board. The popular Uncle John books feature trivia, humor, and more. Grades: 4-8 Deadline: December 31, 2004 How it works:...

SNAP national recognition program.(CONTESTS)
November 1, 2004... The Center for Disease Control and the Soap and Detergent Association sponsor an annual program designed to increase middle-schoolers' knowledge of cleanliness and hygiene. Grades: 6-8 Deadline: March 1, 2005 How it works:...

Legacy project's "listen to a life" contest.(CONTESTS)
November 1, 2004... The Legacy Project invites students to interview a grandparent or "grand-friend" in celebration of their new book, Dream, by Susan V. Bosak. Grades: 2-12 Deadline: February 11, 2005 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How it works:...

Lexile resource kits.(GIVEAWAYS)(www.lexile.com)
November 1, 2004... Free to teachers: If your school uses the popular Lexile Framework for Reading to match appropriate books to students' skill levels, you'll want to download their free resource kit. You'll learn how to use the framework more effectively in the...

Learning Laffs cartoon reproducibles.(GIVEAWAYS)(www.learninglaffs.com)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Free to teachers: In addition to providing daily cartoons for teachers (perfect for spicing up faculty memos), Learning Laffs offers many classroom-setting cartoons with blank speech bubbles. Your students can try their hand at writing...

Giveaway of the month.(GIVEAWAYS)
November 1, 2004... Character Education Materials Stephen Cosgrove's series of Bugg books infuse important life lessons into delightful and engaging tales. Each book introduces young readers to the values of good citizenship. You can win: Two lucky...

Character education lesson plans.(GIVEAWAYS)(www.goodcharacter.com)
November 1, 2004... Free to teachers: Topics such as fairness, bullying, and friendship can be difficult to teach. The lesson plans and group discussion questions at www.goodcharacter.com provide quick and purposeful help for all grade levels. Grades: K-12...

Mathematics Education Trust NCTM grants.(GRANTS)
November 1, 2004... The Mathematics Education Trust, a division of NCTM, sponsors four grants to help teachers improve classroom instruction. The awards range from $2,000 to $6,000. Deadline: December 3, 2004 To apply: Visit www.nctm.org/about/met for...

IRA teacher as Researcher grants.(GRANTS)
November 1, 2004... Teacher as Researcher grants fund classroom teachers' inquiries into literacy instruction. Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded. Deadline: January 15, 2005 To apply: Download the application form at www.ira.org/awards.

The Inspired Teacher Scholarships.(GRANTS)
November 1, 2004... The Inspired Teacher Scholarship program supports professional development activities for educators interested in integrating visual learning and technology. Thirty $750 scholarships will be awarded in 2005. Deadline: January 27, 2005 ...

"Owen has trouble keeping friends. The rest of my fourth graders do give him a chance, but end up avoiding him. What can I do?".(CAN YOU HELP?)
November 1, 2004... Work With All Your Students. Check with past teachers to see if this is an ongoing pattern or a new issue. If it is a pattern, find out what has worked in the past. Then consider working on building social skills with all your students. After...

Supporting English Language Learners: technology offers easy ways to boost your students' language fluency and academic achievement.(ELECTRONIC LEARNING)
November 1, 2004... This year, seven out of the 20 students in Jennifer Monroe's first-grade class in Harlem, New York, are English Language Learners (ELL). Although Monroe speaks Spanish, she has never received training to support these students. "They are in...

Media-savvy kids: for students inundated by images, critical thinking skills help sort fact from fiction.
November 1, 2004... We are deluged every day by a steady stream of noise and images. Children seem especially vulnerable to the pace, the pitches, and the pounding sounds as media defines what is fun, relevant, and important. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Comics, hot rods, hip hop: nine innovative teachers show how to score a slam-dunk with today's kids.
November 1, 2004... Call them the "virtual generation." Sure, they're still kids, but occasionally your students seem like residents of a strange planet--one rife with instant messaging, cell phones, and a barrage of media. While traditional lesson plans may...

The freedom writers: some considered her class a lost cause, but in her first year of teaching, Erin Gruwell transformed her students into a community of writers.(Interview)
November 1, 2004... Erin Gruwell was an idealistic new teacher in 1994, when she arrived at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. The school's tough, urban neighborhood was rife with gang violence, racial warfare, and poverty. Her students had been...

Colorful contraction cards.(NOV/DEC ACTIVITIES FROM OUR READERS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... To help students learn contractions, I create bright, folded cards from construction paper or oak tag, and store them in a file box. When students have trouble figuring out the contraction for a word they want to use, I send them to the box to...

Word-of-the-week "attacks".(NOV/DEC ACTIVITIES FROM OUR READERS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... I inject some adrenaline into my classroom with an easy routine: an attention-getting word of the week! First I talk with my sixth graders about the importance of staying focused. Then each week we pick a word that will be used often in...

Ice-Cream tub totem poles.(NOV/DEC ACTIVITIES FROM OUR READERS)(http://library.thinkquest.org/5160)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... During our fall social studies unit on Native Americans, my third graders create a totem pole out of ice-cream tubs and craft supplies. Ice-cream shops will usually save the tubs for you, although store-bought tubs also work well. We study the...

Holiday math tree.(NOV/DEC ACTIVITIES FROM OUR READERS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Every year in December, I set up an evergreen tree and ask students to create handmade ornaments reflecting the season, any winter holiday from around the world, favorite hobbies or sports teams, and so on. The catch is that each ornament must...

Dragon tapestry.(MASTERPIECE LESSON)
November 1, 2004... In the silk tapestry featured on this month's Masterpiece Poster, a magnificent dragon bursts forth from rolling clouds and waves, its curved claws outstretched in flight. Originally designed as a robe in the early seventeenth century, this...

Immigration: then and now; Using this month's poster and primary source material, share our nation's legacy of newcomers with students.(ACTIVITIES)
November 1, 2004... From 1840 to 1920, nearly 40 million immigrants arrived in the United States, most through the processing center at Ellis Island. This great wave doubled our young country's population and helped to shape our national identity. With the graphs...

Holiday math crafts: celebrate this festive season with hands-on creations that build essential math skills.(ACTIVITIES)
November 1, 2004... Thanksgiving Fraction Pie Combine the spirit of Thanksgiving (and messages of thanks) with equivalent-fractions practice, as kids make and share fraction pies. Divide the class into groups of twos and fours (for younger children) or into...

Teaching with ... introduce this popular author/illustrator with great language-arts activities and our exclusive mini-poster.(MINI-POSTER ACTIVITIES)(www.toddparr.com)
November 1, 2004... ACTIVITIES Hair-Power Bulletin Board: Read aloud Todd's super-silly book, This Is My Hair. Kids will surely giggle at this kooky tale that includes the lines "This is my hair at a rock concert" and "This is my hair with spaghetti and...

Before, afterward, soon, however, next, otherwise, because, therefore, beyond, and more transition words: help students organize their writing with these quick and easy transition-word activities.(ACTIVITIES)
November 1, 2004... Puzzling Recipes Transition words really come in handy for following directions. Whether you're baking a cake or building a dollhouse, time-order words help you get the job done right! Give students practice in recognizing and writing...

The statue of liberty.(CYBERHUNT ACTIVITIES)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Distribute the CyberHunt Reproducible, opposite, and invite students online to www.scholastic.com/cyberhuntkids. Liberty Poems http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/LIBERTY/la zaruspoem.html Emma Lazarus wrote her famous poem, "The New...

Powerful primary sources: provide rich historical context for your social studies units with the wide range of resources available on the Web.(WEB SITINGS)
November 1, 2004... Why Use Primary Sources? www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/dbq/ssindex.html The standards-based online courses offered here will give a boost to any teacher who wants to use historical sources in his or her classroom. Learn how to ask exciting...

Great graphic reads: these new books are packed with comic-book elements and visual surprises to hook young readers.(BOOK TALK)
November 1, 2004... Lunchroom Lizard [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] By Daniel Kirk. Putnam, 2004; 32 pages; $15.99. Gr. PreK-3. When Gil the Gecko takes a field trip to the cafeteria, the drama of lunchtime is exposed! Most of the...

Instructor catalog showcase: a showcase for your catalogs, products and brochures.
November 1, 2004... FRANK SCHAFFER: SUPPLEMENTAL TEACHING AIDS! Frank Schaffer: Your One-Stop Shopping Source for Supplemental Teaching Aids! Frank Schaffer Publications has more than 4,000 education products--many of which are correlated to state...

Christmas in Chicago: after I had a tough first semester in the classroom, playing Santa for my second graders made it all worthwhile.(END OF THE DAY)
November 1, 2004... The second week in December in my first year as a second-grade teacher, my car got "booted" in the school parking lot--two three-year-old parking tickets had come back to haunt me. I dashed outside without my coat to find the big yellow vice on...