Primary Presenter(s): Todd Whitaker: Consultant, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Indiana Annette Breaux: Consultant Who says faculty meetings have to last an hour? In this session, administrators and staff developers will learn how to improve teaching and learning through quick, … Continue reading
Last week’s article provided several ideas to assist you with your planning and preparation as you embark upon a new school year. In the Danielson model for teacher evaluation – that many school districts in New Jersey have adopted – … Continue reading
If you asked your students a simple question, such as, “Who wrote Maniac Magee?” you would probably be met with a simple response. In other words, the student who answers the question correctly would say, “Jerry Spinelli.” And while that … Continue reading
It’s hard to believe, but the summer is halfway over, and unless you teach year-round, the summer break is the largest block of time all year that you have to yourself. If you’re like most teachers, you approach summer with anticipation, planning activities and excursions that you might not have time for from September to June.
Take a few moments today to reflect on your summer thus far, and use that information to ensure that you spend the next several weeks following through with your plans – so you return to the classroom this fall refreshed and invigorated!
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With August just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how well you’ve managed your schedule so far during the summer. Last week we provided you with several ideas to make the most of your time, including: making staffing decisions early, revising safety procedures if necessary, networking with colleagues, using technology to your advantage, and taking staff input into account.
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In all walks of life, we are susceptible to pressure and stress – resulting in negative side effects that range from health complications, to constant worry, to a feeling of general anxiety or unhappiness. Students and teachers are no different, and as the NJ ASK quickly approaches, classroom stress begins to peak. Teachers worry about how their students will do and if they’ve adequately prepared their young test-takers, while students have their own set of worries about their ability to perform with proficiency and to endure the lengthy test sessions. The following tips will help you, as a teacher or student, to both manage stress and prepare for the NJ ASK – without sacrificing your health, mood, or well-being:
Student Growth Objectives, otherwise known as SGO’s, are on the minds of many Educators this month, as the November 15 deadline for approval grows closer. For those of you who are still a bit unclear on the particulars, below is a brief Description of SGO’s – what they are, how to create them, and what this all means to You as a teacher.
According to AchieveNJ, a “Student Growth Objective is a long-term academic goal that teachers set for groups of students” (from AchieveNJ’s SGO Guidebook)… Continue reading
Change. The word strikes fear into some educators, while others view it as a welcome breath of fresh air. Teachers are sometimes accused of resisting change, and while that may be true to a certain extent for some, I believe that much of that anxiety results from a fear of the unknown. While it’s true that change takes time and patience, it is important to note that the change we are currently involved in – making the transition to the Common Core – still finds parallels between previous state standards and the new standards.
As a 6th grade teacher in New Jersey, there are definite similarities between the former New Jersey State Standards and the Common Core. Along with those similarities, there are also some differences – especially with respect to the organization of the standards and the level of specificity. Let’s take a closer look at the areas of Reading, Writing, and Language at the sixth grade level… Continue reading
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