Instructor (1990) articles from September 2008

Instructor (1990) archives from September 2008

Four reasons to visit ...
September 1, 2008... 1. Electrify the Election Election fever is in full swing, and Scholastic has all the resources you need to get students geared up for November 4. First check out our special election activities on page 28. Then head online for more,...

Where the boys are.(from the editors)(Editorial)
September 1, 2008... When you close your eyes, who are the students you are worried about? The ones that even this early in the year, already seem to be struggling. Chances are good--better than 50 percent--that they are boys. In this issue, Peg Tyre, former...

Adopting an African library.(NEWS FROM INSTRUCTOR)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... After one of our editors had a chance meeting in an airport (a silver lining to a long delay), the Instructor staff found a new cause to love: a library in Ghana. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Marilyn Deer, a retired nurse from Seattle,...

Q&A my students' parents are so demanding: they call and e-mail at all hours. help!(your career)
September 1, 2008... Effective communication is essential to building strong and positive relationships with parents. But it's okay to set limits. With your principal's support, let parents know when you are available to receive non-urgent calls and when you can...

Star power cinema's greatest teachers.(your career)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... It's time to shake things up! Check out these cinema classics and get inspired. TO SIR, WITH LOVE TEACHER: Sidney Poitier as John Thackeray [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SYNOPSIS: Poitier throws out all the rules for a new kind of...

How are you being judged?(your career)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... When it comes time for your evaluation, who do you trust to give an accurate, unbiased account of your capabilities? Your mentor? Your peers? What about your principal? Most schools rely to some degree on evaluations from the head honcho...

Ready, set, blog!(your career)(Brief article)(List)
September 1, 2008... Your students probably know more than you do on the subject of technology. As technology specialist Jeff White states on his teacher-friendly blog, Techieteacher.org, 'Teachers need help navigating the tremendous wealth of electronic resources...

Reverse Psychology.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... To kick off the school year, I read aloud Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. Then I ask students to list everything we could do to make sure they have a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year! They...

We've got the beat.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... To help my students get to know each other, I get them moving. Each child makes up a movement that shows something about him-or herself. The twist is the movement must have as many beats as there are syllables in the child's name! For example,...

The ABC's of school rules.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I give the usual school-rules discussion a new spin by combining it with alphabet review. I ask students to come up with a good rule for each letter. For example, "B is for Bathroom pass--get one before you go" and "F is for Fire drills--move...

School of rock.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I teach first grade at an all-boys school, and I am also a docent at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. To help integrate music into our curriculum, I built a theme around the study of rock and roll. The boys get really into it! Here...

Green is the color of fun.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... My fourth graders are helping to save the planet--but they're having just as much fun stretching their imaginations and honing their artistic skills at the same time! We can start with anything, a soup bowl and four plastic forks or an aluminum...

Like apples and oranges.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... When fall arrives in Florida, the leaves don't change and the temperature barely drops--but my first-graders still experience the joys of autumn with our apple unit! We learn about Johnny Appleseed, taste different varieties, make apple prints,...

Hello, Halloween!(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... We celebrate Halloween with all sorts of activities. To practice dialogue writing, students create cartoon strips using themed characters such as jack-o'-lanterns and bats. For word study, I ask students to write Halloween on a strip of paper...

Designer acorn caps.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... For a fun fall display, I have students trace an acorn pattern on brown paper, and then create a designer cap! I provide feathers, beads, stickers, buttons, wiggly eyes, pom-poms, and other collage materials to create fashionable "hats." The...

The staff from the Black Lagoon.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Our school building and staff are new to incoming third graders, so we use Mike Thaler's Black Lagoon series as a fun way to help put them at ease. We invite our music teacher, art teacher, school nurse, bus driver, and other staff members to...

Better bulletin boards.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I used to cover my bulletin boards with butcher paper, but I found that when I removed displays, I was left with a patchwork of faded spots and countless staple holes. So I started using felt and fabric for the backgrounds instead. The fabric...

Rights as rain.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... To help students understand the meaning behind Constitution Day, I hang a map of the U.S. on an easel under an opened umbrella. I tape images that represent Constitutional rights on the umbrella. Then I explain that the Constitution protects...

Quoth the pumpkin, "nevermore".(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... My class celebrates Halloween with the "Master of Horror" himself, Edgar Allan Poe. First, I tape black butcher paper to the windows and have students bring in flashlights. Then I read Poe's poems and short stories aloud as students follow...

Meet the experts.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... To build students' self-esteem, I have each child create a poster showing something that he or she is an "expert" on, whether it's lizards or soccer or art. I attach the child's photo and display the posters on the wall. That way, we all know...

Teaching by numbers.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Here's a simple trick to help with classroom management all year long! At the start of the year, I assign each student a number. The numbers are sequential, matching the matching the alphabetical order of students' names. When students turn in...

What's the news?(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I keep parents informed of what's going on in the classroom throughout the year by sending home weekly newsletters. What makes them special is that I write on the front, but each child writes on the back of his or her own newsletter! I provide...

Pumpkinheads.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... At our Halloween celebration, we have a relay in which runners need to keep a mini pumpkin balanced on their heads! It's so silly that students forget to focus on the competition and they just have fun. These two students were on opposing...

A tee for me!(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I cut T-shirt shapes from construction paper and label each one with a student's name. Then kids decorate their shirts, writing their favorite subject on the left sleeve, favorite activity on the right sleeve, and any other information on the...

To improve writing.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... My document camera plays a huge part in improving my students' writing. I use it to teach note taking and to demonstrate how to break down a poem line by line. It's a great incentive for students to share their work and a way for them to...

For math practice.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I use my document camera for math lessons because it makes manipulatives much easier for students to see. For our lesson on probability, I might place four blue cubes and 10 red ones under the document camera. Then I place the cubes in a small...

In GYM class.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... I teach elementary physical education, and many younger learners do not totally understand what their bodies are doing. I use the document camera to capture the skills we're working on "in the moment" so students can see their mistakes or...

To make following directions fun.(ideaswap)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The "freeze" button on a document camera is a great tool to help students practice following directions. I freeze my document camera and then give a series of steps for drawing a picture. For example, "Make a circle about one inch in diameter....

Looking for a doc cam? Check these out.(ideaswap)(Website list)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... AVerMedia Easy to use, and its website offers an online forum and lesson plans. www.avermedia-usa.com Elmo Annotation on a removable stage, and auto-adjusting for room brightness. www.elmousa.com Lumens Plug-and-play with all...

Ask a child psychologist.
September 1, 2008... Q. With some of my fifth graders, everything is a competition. Whether it's multiplication or free reading, someone always has to "win." It's driving me crazy! A. Two suggestions: 1. Surreptitiously lesson the opportunity for them to...

Fall freebies to warm your spirits.(RESOURCES)(Website list)
September 1, 2008... Say Please! September is National Children's Manners Month, and RudeBusters has the resources you need to turn your students into perfect angels. Check out tips from experts, etiquette workshops, and ways to encourage good sportsmanship,...

Lesson plans for teachers.
September 1, 2008... LESSON 1: WRITE A PERSUASIVE SPEECH Goal: Students will write a fire-safety speech. Time Required: Two 40-minute classes Materials: Student Reproducibles 1 & 2 BACKGROUND DISCUSSION: 1. Ask: Why do you think that home...

Fire-safety tips.(SPARKY'S Favorite)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... 1 KEEP SPACE HEATERS AWAY FROM ANYTHING THAT CAN BURN. 2 ASK GROWN-UPS TO STAY IN THE KITCHEN WHEN COOKING ON THE STOVETOP. 3 REMIND GROWN-UPS NEVER TO LEAVE LIT CANDLES UNATTENDED. 4 DON'T PUT TOO MANY PLUGS INTO AN OUTLET. ...

Meet Sparky the fire dog.(CAMPAIGN '08 PREVENT HOME FIRES)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Current Job: For more than 50 years, I have taught families across America how to protect themselves and their homes from fire. It is an important job that saves lives. Platform: This election year, I am starting a nationwide campaign to...

Take action.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Use these simple ideas to help bring fire-safety awareness to your class, your school, and your community. Classroom * Display the Classroom Poster (the reverse of this guide) in an easy-to-see location. * Use the lessons and...

Meet national standards.(Table)
September 1, 2008... These materials are easily integrated into your language arts, social studies, and science curriculum. Health Lesson Lesson Lesson 1 2 3...

Read the passage about fires at the White House. Then answer the questions.(NAME)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The White House is the official home and workplace of the president. It has 28 fireplaces, thousands of employees, and a maintenance staff that constantly paints, repairs, and renovates. All this activity leaves the White House at risk for fire...

Fire-safety tips: use the helpful tips and crossword puzzle to continue fire-safety learning at home.(DEAR FAMILY)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... (1) Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (2) Keep space heaters three feet from anything that can burn. (3) Turn space heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed. ...

Crossword puzzle.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... ACROSS: 1. Keep space_away from things that can burn. 4. Practice your home fire-escape_. 5. Make sure your home has_alarms. DOWN: 1. Stay three feet from anything that gets_. 2. Remind grown-ups to blow out lit_when...

3 Must-read fantasies.(teachers' picks [BOOKS])(Brief article)(Recommended readings)
September 1, 2008... Publishers have weighed down shelves with thick fantasy tomes ever since Harry Potter. Here's what's worth reading this season. The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman. $17.99. In Gaiman's first novel for middle-grade readers since Coraline,...

5 Seasonal delights: from hibernation to Halloween, here are five new stories to celebrate the season of autumn.(teachers' picks [BOOKS])(Brief article)(Recommended readings)
September 1, 2008... Old Bear By Kevin Henkes. $17.99. In the same illustration style as last year's A Good Day, Henkes tells the sweet story of a wizened bear finding a place to curl up for the winter--and dreaming of his cub days. A great read aloud for a...

4 Amazing pop-ups: the engineering is getting more and more intricate--and the text isn't being forgotten, either--in these paper wonders.(teachers' picks [BOOKS])(Brief article)(Recommended readings)
September 1, 2008... Brava, Strega Nona! By Tomie dePaola, paper engineering by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart. $29.99. The legendary dePaola has teamed up with pop-up masters Sabuda and Reinhart to create a book of wisdom from one of dePaola's most...

3 Classics to rediscover: these editions bring new life to favorite tales--and will be the ones young readers remember for years to come.(teachers' picks [BOOKS])(Brief article)(Recommended readings)
September 1, 2008... The Gift of the Magi By O. Henry, illustrated by P.J. Lynch. $15.99. In this picture book version of Henry's holiday tale, Jim and Della's modest apartment and huge sacrifices for one another are portrayed with gentle beauty--Lynch's soft...

Best for multiplication.(teachers' picks)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Digitz features include five multiplication skill games, multiples, memorization, finding factors, factor pairs, and sequencing. Students enter answers to problems. www.edin.com; $49.99; Product No. 74* [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Best...

Best for bingo lovers.(teachers' picks)(Carson-Dellosa's Math Bingo Games)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Carson-Dellosa's Math Bingo Games support NCTM standards and are perfect for small groups or the entire class. They include 100 double-sided calling cards, 36 game cards, six sheets of bingo tokens, and answer mats. $14.99;...

Best new math reads.(teachers' picks)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Sylvan Dell Publishing has beautifully illustrated math and science picture books in hard cover, and as e-books with Flipviewer technology for computers. $16.95 each; www.sylvandellpublishing.com; Product No. 78* [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Best classroom chart.(teachers' picks)
September 1, 2008... Lakeshore's Measurement Chart has vocabulary cards, rulers, and length, mass, and capacity equivalencies. www.lakeshorelearning.com; $39.95; Product No. 75* [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Best for math strugglers.(teachers' picks)(Scholastic's Do The Math)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Scholastic's Do The Math is a new Marilyn Burns product specifically created for students struggling with math. It focuses on basic arithmetic--computation, number sense, and problem solving. http://teacher .scholastic.com/products/dothemath;...

Best math hands-on calendar.(teachers' picks)(Lakeshore Math Center)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The Lakeshore Math Center customizable calendar includes a write-and-wipe number sentence board and hundreds chart, and double-sided problem cards. An activity guide is included. www.lakeshorelearning.com; $79.50; Product No. 79* ...

Best how-to guides.(teachers' picks)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... BEST HOW-TO GUIDES Trevor Romain DVDs give strategies for dealing with life as a kid. Topics include bullies, facing fear, understanding cliques, and coping when someone dies. Spanish editions and ELL workbooks are available....

Best vocabulary in a box.(teacher's picks)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... BEST VOCABULARY IN A BOX Lakeshore's six thematic photo libraries help students build vocabulary one word at a time in English and 13 other languages, including Spanish and Vietnamese. Each theme contains 50 cards. swww.lakeshorelearning.com;...

Best early childhood game.(teacher's picks)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... BEST EARLY CHILDHOOD GAME Carson-Dellosa's Where Do I Live? game requires no reading. It's perfect for ELL and ESL learners, because it strengthens classification, visual discrimination, and visual recall skills. www.carsondellosa.com; $14.99;...

Best for evaluating readers.(teacher's picks)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... BEST FOR EVALUATING READERS Scholastic's WiggleWorks has 84 interactive e-books, with 24 Spanish-language titles, 12 for each edition. Kids read them on the computer--or aloud and record themselves....

Best ell gadget.(teacher's picks)(Smart Talk Espanol Station)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... BEST ELL GADGET Smart Talk Espanol Station teaches beginning language learners Spanish vocabulary words by using photo-vocabulary cards on an interactive device, which has three modes--Word, Learn, and Quiz. Three card sets are available--Home...

Election 2008 Classroom kit: the presidential election is an exciting time that brings American History to Life for Students. Get everyone involved with these engaging activities across the curriculum.
September 1, 2008... No Time to Spare? Five 15-Minute Election Activities CANDIDATE TRACKERS In order to get out their message, candidates travel all over the country giving speeches and meeting voters. Using a U.S. map, have students mark a recent...

How to explain the Electoral College.(election 2008)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... (At Every Grade Level) GRADES PREK-2 Electors in the Electoral College are given to each state according to the number of people it has in Congress (each state has two senators, plus a number of representatives based on population)....

The art of the campaign: three crafty election ideas.(election 2008)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... INSPIRE A VOTER Even though kids can't cast a ballot themselves, they can still play a meaningful role in the political process by encouraging more adults in their community to go to the polls. Using circles of cardboard, tape, and a...

Getting at the issues: the five best websites for kids to research politics.(election 2008)(Website list)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... ELECTION HEADQUARTERS Visit Scholastic's election central for exclusive kid reporter interviews, quizzes, and games, including "You're the Candidate," a campaign strategy game, and "Create a Campaign Poster." Students can also cast their...

No mudslinging allowed: how to talk about politics in the classroom.(election 2008)
September 1, 2008... Discussing politics and current issues in the classroom is a great way to get students involved in civics and develop critical thinking skills. Here are a few tips to help keep the classroom a safe and open place for discussion (and keep...

The right to vote: two activities to teach about suffrage.(election 2008)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Before the passage of the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 29th amendments to the Constitution, only 4 percent of Americans were allowed to vote. The struggle to gain the right to vote is an important topic in any election curriculum, as it emphasizes the...

Extra! read all about it! Great books about politics in America.(election 2008)(Brief article)(Recommended readings)
September 1, 2008... SEE HOW THEY RUN: CAMPAIGN DREAMS, ELECTION SCHEMES, AND THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE By Susan E. Goodman AND THEY'RE OFF: Featuring clear explanations, witty anecdotes, and lively illustrations, this up-to-date book features...

Boy trouble: in classrooms from Prek to college, boys are falling behind. What can teachers do?
September 1, 2008... Back in 2006, Glenn "Max" McGee, the head of the Wilmette, Illinois, elementary and middle schools, walked through the clean, well-lit hallways of his school buildings and suspected he had a problem. A casual observer wouldn't know that...

Growing boy readers.(Recommended readings)
September 1, 2008... Boys aren't reading as much as they once did. But we're not sharing the right books with them, either--while boys often prefer nonfiction, the majority of teachers assign fiction time and time again. The good news is that publishers and...

20 Rules for great parent-teacher conferences.(tough topic)
September 1, 2008... These days, parents can shoot you a quick e-mail, leave a comment on your classroom blog, or log on to a school-wide communication platform. So why is communicating with parents still one of the most challenging parts of teaching? On one hand,...

When a student has Asperger's: integrating a child with Asperger's means expecting the unexpected.
September 1, 2008... Imagine this: It's time for math, but your students sit at tables covered with watermelons and napkins. Today is a hands-on day, and they get to estimate the number of seeds in each piece of melon before counting them. Then you hear it: Caleb...

How can I help my English learners? Two experts tackle your toughest ELL questions.(best practice)
September 1, 2008... Working with English language learners (ELLs) can be one of the most rewarding experiences in teaching. It's a unique opportunity to view how different people think, communicate, and learn, and often provides a firsthand view into another...

Centers fall into math: autumn is here and chances are your math lessons are in full swing. Here are seven seasonal ideas to freshen up your math curriculum.(quickideas preK-K)
September 1, 2008... 1 PAINT WITH APPLES Use apples cut into halves and quarters as paint stamps. Fill shallow containers with paint, and let children dip the apples in paint and stamp them onto paper. Encourage them to make patterns of different sizes and...

Mind your manners: motivate children to learn and use basic manners with these fun ideas.(quickideas perK-K)
September 1, 2008... MAKE "POLITE WORDS" POSTERS Work with children to brainstorm a list of polite expressions, such as please, thank you, excuse me, I'm sorry, and so on. Discuss each response and talk about appropriate situations to use polite words....

Trouble keeping kids on task? How do you keep the rest of the class busy while you're working with children one at a time? These hush-hush activities will keep everyone engaged.(quickideas grades 1-2)
September 1, 2008... IF YOU NEED 5 MINUTES... GIVE EACH CHILD A PAIR OF FOAM DICE, or regular dice and a noise-absorbing surface, such as foam placemats or squares of fleece cloth. For children who can add, have them roll the dice and write the sum of the two...

A year of family activities: bored with math pages? Tired of spelling words? Liven up homework assignments with fun family projects all year long.(grades 1-2)
September 1, 2008... SEPTEMBER: FAMILY BANNERS SEND CHILDREN HOME with a large piece of construction paper, as well as two smaller pieces in assorted colors. Ask families to use the paper to create a special "Family Banner" that shows family hobbies,...

Reach for the Stars.(Teaching Astronomy)
September 1, 2008... You don't need NASA's budget to give kids a peek at the universe. Try one of these wallet-friendly ideas instead. 1. MAKE A CONSTELLATION WHAT YOU NEED: Copies for each student of the five star patterns for Orion, Leo, Scorpius,...

Best-ever project ideas: so long, dioramas and posterboards--add these fresh ideas to your repertoire to help kids remember all the amazing things they've learned.(grades 3-5)
September 1, 2008... 1. WONDERBALLS Create a circular pattern using a coffee can. Have students cut out three or four paper circles each. Fold each circle in half, open, and hold so the crease is vertical. Then invite students to research, illustrate, and...

"Help! My Locker Is a Black Hole.": sound familiar? Here's how to deal with the top-five organizational potholes for middle schoolers.(Life Skills)
September 1, 2008... LONG-TERM PROJECTS ORGANIZATIONAL OBSTACLE: Your kids pull all-nighters to finish a project they should have started four weeks ago. NOW: Create deadlines for different parts of the project, have students write them down, and spend at...

Let's write together: take a break from your humdrum, work-quietly-in-your-journals routine and invite students to try one of these group writing projects.(Writing Workshop)(Recommended readings)
September 1, 2008... 1 MY LIFE AS A GOALIE WHAT IT TEACHES: Writing for an oral presentation. WHAT TO DO: Have each group write a series of monologues about a sports team. This could be football, soccer, lacrosse, swimming, gymnastics--any sport is fine....

Standards.(List)
September 1, 2008... Use this index to match the ideas in this issue to national standards. READING AND WRITING Gr. PreK-8 Teachers' Picks: Books (Page 20) Uses reading skills to understand a variety of literary and informational texts Gr. K-5...

Queen Latifah: the multitalented role model believes in giving back.(pop quiz)(Interview)
September 1, 2008... Queen Latifah does it all: She's a musician, film and television actress, writer, philanthropist, activist, and CoverGirl spokeswoman. After 20 years of royal successes, she's still on top of her game. Author of a book on self-esteem titled...