Instructor (1990) articles from September 2002

Instructor (1990) archives from September 2002

Differentiating with pears. (Editor's Note).(Editorial)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... THE THIRD-GRADE CLASS I TAUGHT was not unusual. There were the advanced learners, those who were right on grade level, and those who, for one reason or another, had fallen behind. I knew in my heart that I must strive to reach and teach all of...

Kids pool their pennies for NYC firefighters. (Education News & Trends).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Children around the nation pooled their pennies to help New York City firefighters--and their efforts paid off. Students raised nearly $440,000 to help purchase a new fire engine for firefighters at New York City's Engine Co. 280 in Brooklyn,...

Breakfast for champions. (Education News & Trends).(study sponsored by Quaker Oats shows that eating oats for breakfast improves cognitive performance)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day--especially for kids. Now, a new study by Tufts University shows that what children eat can also help improve their cognitive performance, as well as their physical development....

Making sense of "Reading First". (Education News & Trends).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Teachers have long recognized the critical importance of reading. In light of the recent federal legislation--the No Child Left Behind act--the teaching of reading has now taken center stage in the national debate about education. No Child...

Click N' show. (Educational Products).(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... Affordable and easy-to-use, the iClick digital camera is a creative and cost-effective way to give students access to digital photography. Sporting 1.3 megapixels, the iClick offers enough resolution to print high-quality photos. It also allows...

Washable art. (Educational Products).(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... Elmer's new paint pens will add flair to any arts and crafts project. The pens are available in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. When the ink dries it raises from the paper for a 3-D look. So a simple butterfly turns into a...

Match & Learn. (Educational Products).(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... Children will have a blast while they master their ABCs with this easy-to-play, bright, and fun board game. Kids can identify upper- and lower-case letters and learn their sounds as they match each letter with a picture that begins with the...

Organizational wonder. (Educational Products).(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... Students and teachers alike can stay organized and in style with these vibrantly colored accordian binders. Slip papers into any one of the nine individual pockets. A giant rubber band keeps everything secure, and the outside binding has room...

Easy music. (Educational Products).(advertisement)
September 1, 2002... Even non-musically trained students can enjoy and excel at this guitar program. Kids' senses of rhythm, note-reading skills, and musical ability will soar. It's a great addition to any music class and an exciting enrichment to a regular class...

Back to school with a bark. (Contests Giveaways & Grants).
September 1, 2002... To celebrate Clifford The Big Red Dog's all new literacy-themed episodes starting September 18th on PBS KIDS, Scholastic Entertainment has a big giveaway just for you! One lucky classroom will receive 35 "Big Red" prize packs. Each prize pack...

Keith Haring for Kids. (Contests Giveaways & Grants).
September 1, 2002... The Keith Haring Foundation Inc. hosts a free lesson-plans database on its Web site, geared for grades K-12. The lessons--gathered from teacher submissions as well as education departments at museums--are searchable by curriculum area,...

Internet Educator of the Year. (Contests Giveaways & Grants).
September 1, 2002... Classroom Connect is currently accepting nominations for its 2003 Internet Educator of the Year award. Four regional finalists will be chosen to receive cash and products, and to become eligible for the national award. The national winner will...

Intergenerational contest. (Contests Giveways & Grants).
September 1, 2002... The Legacy Project, which aims to encourage closer relationships across generations, is sponsoring an intergenerational essay contest for students aged 8-18 years to enter with a grandparent-or "grandfriend"-50 years or older. The theme for the...

Wild About Writing. (Contests Giveways Grants).
September 1, 2002... Students aged 6-15 can win a chance to appear on the Animal Planet channel through Paper Mate's Watch, Write, and Win essay contest. Paper Mate is sponsoring the contest along with Animal Planet, Jeff Corwin, and Scholastic Inc. The contest is...

Toshiba math & science grants. (Contests Giveaways & Grants).
September 1, 2002... The Toshiba America Foundation is offering grants of up to $1,000 to K-6 grade teachers to encourage hands-on teaching of math and science. Projects must supplement the curriculum, occur during the school day, and should take place over at...

Creating tests with Microsoft Word. (Electronic Learning).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... If you have access to a computer, and enjoy experimenting with new ways to design quizzes for your students, you can create easy interactive tests in various formats using Microsoft Word. Even if you're a novice at computers, developing...

Your math questions answered.
September 1, 2002... Q What are the most important messages that parents should receive about math educations in the early grades? -- Pat Bartholomew, Cincinnati, OH MARILYN ANSWERS: The more support that children receive from their parents, the better the...

Different learners different lessons: squeezing students into a one-size-fits-all curriculum has left many behind. By differentiating your instruction, you can meet the needs of every child. (Pathways to Reach Every Learner).
September 1, 2002... Today's teachers still contend with the essential challenge of the one-room schoolhouse: how to reach out effectively to students who span the spectrum of learning readiness, personal interest, and culturally shaped views and experiences of the...

Left brain/right brain: by better understanding our own neurological strengths and weaknesses, we can adapt our lessons to reach all of our students. (Pathways to Reach Every Learner).
September 1, 2002... Sam, a fourth grade student, starts to draw every time I teach a new concept or explain an assignment. We've been in school for only two weeks--why is he tuning me out already? Dorothy says that she feels ill every time I begin an art lesson,...

Speaking their language: successfully reaching out to immigrant parents just requires a few simple steps. (Pathways to Reach Every Learner).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Imagine an elementary school where more than 300 limited-English proficient students speak 18 different languages. Now, imagine kids eager to translate invitations for parents to come to school on a special evening that brings them together...

Just the right spot: assigning specific rug spots fosters smoother classroom management, student friendships and more powerful teaching.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Arranging furniture, planning lessons, establishing routines, learning names.... With all of these to-do items racing through your mind as that first day of school approaches, deciding who will sit next to whom when you gather the class in a...

Dazzling leaf displays. (September: Activities from Our Readers).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Invite your class to embrace the changing autumn landscape with a seasonal leaf map. Help students write letters to relatives and friends around the country, asking them to send leaves from their area. Laminate and label all leaves received and...

Motivating class badges. (September: Activities from Our Readers).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Class badges can really inspire students to learn and follow classroom rules. Encourage your students to brainstorm a class code, with tenets such as "Respect others," "Remember to share," and "Always try your best." Help students create...

The reminder binder. (September: Activities from Our Readers).(education)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... To help students remember all they will learn and experience throughout the school year, start a reminder binder. At the end of the first week or month of school, have one or two students choose "the best thing we learned" during that time, or...

Compliment bracelets. (Activities from Our Readers).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... As a beginning writing exercise and a reminder of every child's worth, invite your class to make compliment bracelets. Begin by asking students to interview each other in pairs or small groups, asking questions such as, "What is your favorite...

Candid "Me" containers. (Activities from Our Readers).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Early in the year, invite students to decorate and fill special containers with things that they feel represent them, their families, their homes, their hobbies and interests, and their experiences. The containers can be anything a child...

The Caring Classroom.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Encourage your class to become an official welcoming committee for new students, a service project that benefits the entire school. Have students decorate handled bags with messages such as "Welcome to Our School!" and "We're Glad You're Here!"...

Masterpiece of the month. (Norman Rockwell).(education)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Meet the Artist * Norman Rockwell, born in New York City in 1894, made a lasting impression on America. Between 1916 and 1963, he painted more than 300 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, reaching an unimaginably wide audience. It wasn't just...

Poetry workshop: the poetry suitcase.(education)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Get your students excited about poetry by making daily readings a collaborative classroom experience. Five minutes before the bell each day, pull a suitcase from under your desk and announce "It's poetry suitcase time!" Let a student who's been...

The September Times: all the history that fits on the page. (Instructor Reproducible).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... America's First Car September 22, 1893--The first ever successful test run of an American automobile took place on this day in Springfield, Massachusetts. This first U.S. vehicle to use a gasoline engine was invented by Charles and Frank...

Welcoming second-language learners: terrific techniques to ease students from every nation into the school year.
September 1, 2002... If you're like most teachers in the United States, you've already noticed that the number of newcomer children is growing. They come from all over the world speaking many different languages. They have varying degrees of first-language literacy...

Becoming biographers: help your students the life stories of their classmates into books.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Kids love to share "me" stories. By capturing their natural interest in self, you can help them learn to be curious about others, too--all while promoting literacy, enhancing their research skills, and helping them get acquainted during those...

Meet the author: Mary Pope Osborne.(Interview)
September 1, 2002... The author of Adaline Falling Star, this month's Read-Aloud, spoke to Instructor recently about history, fiction, and how she combines the two. Q You've written a fictional story about a girl who really existed, Adaline Carson. What made...

Read aloud story: Adaline Falling Star. (Instructor Reproducible).(Short Story)
September 1, 2002... Adaline Falling Star (Scholastic, 2000)--Mary Pope Osborne's fictional story of the real-life daughter of legendary scout Kit Carson--explores themes of survival, love, and loss. A piece of historical fiction about a biracial girl, it also...

Hooray for heroes: explore the concept of heroism with cross-curricular, character-building activities.(educating tools)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Children hear the word hero used today more than ever. Yet what does it mean to be a hero? Explore this concept in depth with students, then host a special day to celebrate and honor the heroes in their lives. What Is a Hero? Kick off...

Games for telling time: ticktock clock fun!(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Hickory Tells Time! Hickory Dickory Dock, the mouse who ran up the clock, can tell time! Let kids show off their time-telling skills when they play Hickory in this partner game. Before you begin, copy the Reproducible on page 74. Have...

Peter Rabbit hops into his 100th Year!(books and games)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... One hundred years after its original publication, Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit is still thumping. Celebrate Peter's centennial with these bunny-based language arts activities. Peter's Adventure time Line Using the book as...

Cyberhunt activities: amazing aztecs.(educational internet)
September 1, 2002... Bring the ancient civilization of the Aztecs to life with these Internet-based classroom activities for middle and upper graders. Before you begin, distribute the Reproducible, opposite. Aztec Picture Books What was Aztec language...

Alphabet soup. (Web Sitings Interactive ABCs).(Evaluation)
September 1, 2002... http//pbskids.org/lions/fox/soup.html Students use context and spelling knowledge to unscramble the letters in the soup to play this fun interactive game. Clues such as letter recognition and letter sounds are available for younger...

Printable alphabet coloring pages. (Web Sitings Interactive ABCs).(educational net)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... www.learningplanet.com/parents/alphabet LearningPlanet.com has free alphabet coloring pages for teachers to print for their primary students. Along with upper and lowercase letters, each page contains an example word beginning with that...

Enchanted Learning. (Web Sitings Interactive ABCs).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... www.enchantedlearning.com/Dictionary.html Enchanted Learning for Little Explorers is an interactive Web site designed for young ones that is worth repeat visits. Kids can click on any letter in the alphabet and link to an abundance of...

Wizzkidz. (Web Sitings Interactive ABCs).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... www.wizzkidz.com At Wizzkidz, teachers can chose between three subject areas (English, Science, or Math) for lessons or games, and set the degree of difficulty according to grade level. One of Wizzkidz's neatest features is the Learning...

Grimm Fair Tales. (Web Sitings Interactive ABCs).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... www.grimmfairtales.com At this site, children can read or listen at their own pace to animated folk tales by the Brothers Grimm. There are also links to play Flash games, learn about Wilhelm and Jacob Ludwig Grimm, and make arts and crafts...

AbcTeach. (Web Sitings Interactive ABCs).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... www.abcteach.com The abcTeach Network is a winner for parents, teachers, and students. This free site offers more than 5,000 printable pages for immediate use in the classroom. All basic subject areas are covered, but don't miss the theme...

The Alphabet Superhighway. (Web Sitings Interactive ABCs).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... http://www.ash.udel.edu/ash/index.html An award-winning site, The Alphabet Superhighway is a wonderful resource for teachers and students of all ages. Check out Cyberzine, an online student magazine where students can submit class work or...

Billy bear's alphabet game. (Web Sitings Interactive ABCs).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... www.billybear4kids.com/games/online/alphabet/abc.htm This alphabet activities page is loaded with fun and superb graphics. Lesson one is a warm-up activity that enables your computer to store the site's bulky graphics in its directory. Once...

Judy Freeman's Booktalk: commemorating 9/11.
September 1, 2002... This month marks the first anniversary of the September 11 attacks. An eclectic assortment of books celebrates the strength of Americans in the past year. FIREBOAT: THE HEROIC ADVENTURES OF THE JOHN J. HARVEY By Maira Kalman. Boulevard...

Books about... America the beautiful.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... CONSIDER SPENDING segments of September 11 commemorating our nation with books that celebrate American heritage, culture, and people. PICTURE BOOKS FOR ALL AGES American Too By Elisa Bartone; illustrated by Ted Lewin. Harper Collins,...

End of the Day Heroes.(Poem)
September 1, 2002... End of the Day Heroes. Heroes are... ... The sunlight Of a growing plant. ... The water Of a waterfall. ... The colors Of a rainbow. ... The honey Of a honeybee. ...A part...