Quiz: Is teaching the right career for you?

Is teaching the right career for you?

A flood of wannabe teachers are rushing to the Ed-arena now that the business world is in the gutter. Do you/they have what it takes? Take the TeachHUB quiz and find out.

If you answer yes to these questions, teaching may be the career for you: Take the quiz

School Separates Boys and Girls

The debate continues at TeachHUB with the Hot Topic article:

Single-Sex Schools: A Return to Sex Segregation?

Lessons for a Snowy Day

We had our first Chicago snow storm last night which meant digging out my car, an unpleasant drive to work and basically feeling soggy all morning. But I am determined to maintain a romanticized winter wonderland mentality this year. To stay optimistic, I'm focusing on the upside of snow.

1. It's pretty (esp. through the window while you're warm and cozy next to a fire drinking cocoa).

2. Snowball fights and snowman building

3. Shoveling is great cardio.

4. Snow days!!!!

5. And, finally, seasonally sensational learning opportunities.

Here are a few of my favorite snowy school day activities

Brain-Based Learning Strategies: Get Students’ Attention With a Radish

Before students can make memories or learn, you must capture their attention.

Based on my background as a neurologist and my experience as a classroom teacher, I’ve created this list of tips for any teacher to integrate brain-based, neuro-logical learning strategies to grab and hold students’ attention.

Read the Radish Trick and Other Brain Learning Strategies

Tapping into Students' Talents

Are essays really the only way?

It hits me about once a year that writing literary analysis essays about whether or not Piggy in The Lord of the Flies is a round or flat character, may not be an essential skill to get a young person through life.

What am I doing? Why must I torture Marquis who fell out of his desk last week when I announced the latest writing assignment?

The simple answer: it’s on the test. read more

Top 12 Holiday Gifts from Students

As I learned on the blog last year, teacher gifts can be as surprising as a calm, quiet classroom the friday afternoon before a vacation. Some gifts you just could never see coming.

Some of my best and worst "teacher gift stories" include:

"I got half a bottle of Lady Stetson one year from a kid who stole it from him Mom. I talked to his Mom and she was really filled up though, that her kid wanted to give me something and wasn't mad that he took the cologne."
Read more

Holiday Spirit Poll

Will you decorate your classroom for the holidays?

Already twinkling!
Yes, with jingle bells on
If we get around to it
Bah, humbug

Vote here!