Classroom Toolkit Newsletter - Featured Article

Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Word Walls: a No-Brainer Choice for a Higher-Order Thinking Focus

Word Walls became a fad, and once they became ubiquitous, "faded into the wood work" as far as students' attention was concerned.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Recess: Academic Time-Waster, NOT!

Recess may become a casualty of "teach to the test" initiatives in some schools, and a casualty of buget-cramped four-day school weeks in other districts.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Total Physical Response - Story: Integrating Storytelling into Instruction

The Total Physical Response - Story (TPR-S) strategy provides teachers with extraordinary tools for integrating storytelling into all aspects of instruction.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Total Physical Response: Building "Verbal-Physical" Connections that take Hands-On Learning to a New Level

Total Physical Response (TPR) is a strategy that was "borrowed" from Speech Therapy, Special Education and Foreign Language Instruction. These folks use the technique on "harder-to-teach-than-ordinary" student populations because the technique is effective.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

The Case against Open Source

The Case against Open Source is really a case against the "Free and Cheap" mantra that some Open Source Advocates chant when they solicit action (and wrong-headed decisions) from school district leaders. This is a case against folks (who know little about instruction and even less about the needs of teachers); who, despite their lack of knowledge, pitch this "save-money fantasy (delusional) strategy" to school district executives (who should know better than to listen, but don't).

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Sat, 31 May 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Newbie Teacher Bailout: Stopping the School District Talent Leak

As school winds down, many teachers contemplate…consider, anguish about, worry over…changing jobs or "jumping ship" from the teaching profession.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Delivering Lessons that get Heard, get Remembered, and get Acted Upon

You already know that serving up memorable lessons is in your job description. So, delivering lessons that are heard and remembered is your target.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Transforming the Grading System into a "Motivational System"

Assigning grades and wading through the mire of a grading system are odious tasks that plague teachers.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Unlearn what you Learned in College: A Quick Way to Improve Teaching Effectiveness

You spend four years or more in college so that you can become certified to teach in your state.

These years are well spent, since you learn the jargon that is required for participating in the educational bureaucracy that employs you.

But do you learn the skills that keep your professional development on track to become a Master teacher in three years of real-world, on-the-job learning?

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Do you Really Expect your Students to be "Motivated to Learn if you Fail to Market your Course-of-Study?"

Did you ever hear this kind of teacher lounge chatter?

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:00:00 -0700

"Fair Use" = Source of Unlimited Free Content: What's the Catch?

"Content is King" on the Internet, and content drives instruction in face-to-face classroom teaching.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Planning Backwards: The Quickest Way to "Full Steam Ahead"

Planning is paradoxical.

So, is classroom planning.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Answer: Self-Esteem and Self-Concept -- Question: What are Pass-Along Strategies?

What do we mean by "Pass-Along" Self-Esteem and Self-Concept Strategies?

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 09:00:00 -0700

First Day Confidential: Time to Gear up for your Observations and the Dreaded High-Stakes Test

The First Day of School

It's the first day of school, and you must launch some high-priority initiatives. You're already behind.

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Feature Article

joseph@classroomtoolkit.net (Classroom Toolkit Newsletter) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 09:00:00 -0700

The Power of "Shared Thinking" for a Learning Community

Shared Thinking is the power behind a learning community.

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