Prevent Cheating in Your Classroom

No teacher wants to believe her students are cheating, but they probably are. And if the kids put half the time into studying that they put into figuring out how to cheat, there’d be a lot more “A” students in the world.

So take time today to implement a few simple changes to address the cheating crisis.

Stop It Before It Starts

Establish a Clear Policy of Rules and Repercussions
Establish a clear policy and tell students in advance – points off the test, a zero, a letter home. Make sure it’s in line with any school or district policies, but make sure it has “teeth.” A gentle reminder about the policy during a test may be all you need to persuade a potential cheater to keep her eyes on her own paper.

Read More

Bringing Red Pens Beachside?

I don't know about you, but I'll be bringing my red pen beachside this spring break.

As I was leaving work on Friday for NYC schools spring break, I overheard a phrase which is not uncommon right before vacations – “I’m not touching a thing this week.” By “a thing,” he was referring to work. Teacher work. He’s a teacher and he’s not doing an ounce of teacher work all week.

Before I get myself in trouble, I’m well aware that teachers work very hard and that everyone deserves a vacation away from the daily grind. I’m also aware of the argument that says if you don’t take care of yourself personally, you won’t be successful professionally. But let’s think of some professionals... read more

Teaching & Tea with Tony Mullen, 2009 Teacher of the Year

Tony Mullen has had a long road to the White House to become the 2009 National Teacher of the Year.

For 20 years, Mullen worked as a New York City police officer. He remained dedicated to his education during that time, completing his bachelors degree and eventually attaining his teaching license. During his time with the NYPD, Mullen worked with many troubled teens. He continues that work now as a teacher to students with severe emotional and behavior problems.

Tony shares his experience and expertise with a TeachHUB interview. read more

Vote for the School Spirit Contest

The six finalists have been chosen for the School Spirit Contest and it's time to GET OUT THE VOTE!!!

Check out the Top 6:

- Roof Campers

- Together Music Video

- Santa's Charity Workshop

- Swimming with Spirit

- Helping Hands Club

- Academic Super Bowl

And vote for your favorite to win $100 donation to the extracurricular of their choosing.

Vote Now!

We could also use some help getting out the work, so please blog, facebook, tweet and spread the word any way you can. Thanks!

Glossopedia: Safe Online Research for Students

In this digital age, kids are getting on the computers to play and learn every day. Teachers can tap into this online interest as a teaching tool to jumpstart research skills at a young age with the help of Globio's Glossopedia!

This site is designed especially with the young learner in mind with its age-appropriate content and emphasis on visual and auditory learning.

read more

Teacher Spring Cleaning Guide

While “education” and “reform” may have become dirty words, you can reform your classroom into a sparkling, spic-and-span wonderland with a little spring cleaning.

Spring cleaning can encompass many things, including:

• literally cleaning out the dirt and clutter that has accumulated over the school year
• welcoming in the new season indoors, outdoors and in your lessons
• remembering and rethinking goals for the year that get lost in the day to day

Read the Teacher Spring Cleaning Guide

Fighting Childhood Obesity in Your Classroom

The childhood obesity epidemic pops up regularly on the evening news; First Lady Michelle Obama has made it a central focus of her time in the White House with her "Let's Move" campaign. But did you know that there are simple things you can do in your classroom to encourage your students to be healthier? Even if you’re not a science or P.E. teacher, you can make a difference.

Here are some easy ways to fight obesity in your classroom.

Read more

Top 12 Free Ways Teachers Can Rock Spring Break

Let’s admit it, we’d all like to spend our spring breaks relaxing on a beach or on some once-in-a-lifetime trip, but that’s not always in the budget. That doesn’t mean you can’t avoid the everyday routines of home and truly enjoy your vacation!

Here are 12 ways to make the most of your spring break without spending any cash. read more

From Hard Knocks to Honor Rolls

Interview with Crossnore Academy CEO Phyllis Crain

Thanks to Crossnore School, North Carolina kids are getting out of a broken system and into a safe, supportive community.

The Crossnore School was founded by Mary Martin Sloop, M.D. in 1913 for Blue Ridge Mountain children living in poverty and/or from families ravaged by moonshining. Dr. Sloop believed that “the best way to help a child rise above their circumstances is to provide them access to a fine education.”... read more

Last Week to Enter School Spirit Contest

Last weekend to enter the School Spirit Giveaway!

Entries MUST be in by Monday, March 22 when the finalists will be chosen.

In just a few minutes, you can enter to win $100 for one of your school's extracurricular activities. Just email a photo or short story that show off your school spirit.

So far, we have photos of class-made school mascots, teachers playing pep squad, a story describing the charity efforts of one community-minded 8th grade class and more.

We'd love to hear your story or see your photos of classroom projects, school clubs, or any other demonstration of how you and your students go above and beyond.

To Enter: Email the photo, story, or video that shows off just how much spirit you’ve got! You can show off your solo-spirit or involve your fellow teachers, your team or club, or your entire school.

Email entries along with name, school, address and phone number to acondron@teachhub.com by Monday, March 22, 2010.

Using TeachHUB’s patented spirit meter, five finalists will be chosen. Based on creativity and overall spiritude, TeachHUB visitors will have two weeks to vote on a winner. The winner will be announced Monday, April 5.

Prizes: All entrants will receive a prize, one per entry. In addition to bragging rights, the winner of TeachHUB’s School Spirit Contest will receive $100 donation to the school extra-curricular program of their choosing.

For full information, visit the TeachHUB Contests & Giveaways page.

Standardized Test Prep & Recovery

Three cheers for ISATs (Illinois Standards Achievement Test) wrapping up and spring break on the horizon!

Getting the test off your back and out of test tunnel vision is a huge relief for teachers and students all over the state and around the country.

In the post-testing elation, it can be easy to move on to other stress-inducing thoughts without assessing this year's test prep. Let's help ourselves and help each other by sharing quick evaluates of the successful and not-so-successful approaches to test prep.

You've certainly got your curriculum covered, so let's consider some of the non-lesson-focused ways to make testing successful.

Read more

Absences: Preparing for the Inevitable

Student absences drive teachers crazy – not just the loss of instructional time, which many kids can’t afford, but the make-up assignments and the sneaking suspicion that the student is probably doing more copying than learning.

Teacher absences are just as bad – maybe worse. You know you should stay home, but the thought of coming up with sub plans is enough to drag you out of bed.

Read more

Science Ed Soundtrack

Being a scientist-turned-educator and techie, it’s hard to avoid my inner geek. Not only can I not avoid it, but now I've found the soundtrack for my inner geek life: Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants!

I enjoy a lot of the typical nerd-core genres, like Star Wars, Lego, and Joss Whedon’s TV shows. When it comes to music, I usually listen to mainstream stuff (with some ska and Dave Matthews Band mixed in). Recently, however, my love for the band They Might Be Giants collided with my science-geek nature.

Read more

Pros & Cons of Online Professional Development for Teachers

Is there any better way to get your PD requirements done than at home in your pajamas? Let's weigh the pros & cons to find out.

In the world of 21st-Century educators, there are tons of online opportunities for professional development (PD). The cost and programming may vary, but the online professional development option deserves the consideration of busy teachers.

Read more

Top 12 Pioneers in Education

You don't need to venture into the Old West or shutte into space to be a pioneer. These Top 12 pioneers in education have explored much rougher terrain to shape modern learning.

Horace Mann (1796-1859) Pioneer of American Public School Education

Horace Mann grew up in a time when education was not easily obtained for those that lived in the poor rural areas of America. Though his own early education was limited, he attended Browns University, studied law, and later enjoyed a highly successful political career. It was during his time serving as a representative and senator in the legislature of Massachusetts and lastly Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education that he used his influence to advance change in the American educational system. We can thank Horace Mann for teacher training colleges, free libraries, and free public education to all children through taxation.

Read more

Sift for Knowledge with Word Clouds

Word clouds are taking over the web, helping teachers rain knowledge down on students!

Wordle may have blazed the way for work clouds in the classroom, but Standford's Word Sift brings visual learning to the next level with the additional customization options, drag-and-drog images, and much more.

This free Web 2.0 tool is perfect for your literacy center, brainstorming center, or comprehension center activity to summarize a reading passage! You control the content and the outcome.

Read more

Rage Against Teachers as Ed Reform Scapegoats

An Open Letter To Anyone Who Will Listen and Has the Power To Do Something:

My heart is breaking. Literally breaking. I have a mountain of data to analyze and write about, a website to develop content for and an article to write this morning and all I can think about is this whole Let's Fire The Teachers and Only the Teachers business.

Is this really what education has come to?

Read more

The Feng Shui Classroom

These days stress is the number one killer of relationships and productivity. Stress is everywhere. Even small kids get stressed fast due to peer pressure, pressures from class and the amount of homework that is placed upon them. Many people have started turning to the ancient art of Feng Shui to make their home and office clutter free and pleasant.

These day’s even classrooms are aligned as advised by Fengshui so that the kids can have maximum productivity. Let’s examine the ways in which we can achieve a feng shui classroom:

Read more

Teacher Apologies: Never Too Tenured to Say You're Sorry

As hard as it may be for us to admit sometimes, teachers make mistakes. We make less as we get better, but we’ll always make them.

Sometimes, I forget to enter a grade where there needs to be one. At the beginning of the year, I tell all my students that one unfortunate soul will have their essay lost among a stack of my papers and it won’t be found for two years if ever. (I’ve already hit my lost essay quota this year, Vanessa’s defense of Hamlet’s behavior, and my guilt has made me super anal retentive since.)

At times like these, I’ve found that it doesn’t hurt to say “I’m sorry. I made a mistake,” and not to follow it with, “I work 60-75 hours a week, I deserve one.” read more

The Bully-Free Classroom

Anti-bullying activist Jodee Blanco shares her 10-step guide for teachers to create a bully-free classroom today!

What Not to Say
Never say to a bullied child: “Ignore the bully and walk away; they’re just jealous; twenty years from now those bullies will probably be in jail and you’ll be successful; I know how you feel; or be patient.”

Read more

Top 12 Ways to Snap Out of a Teaching Slump

It’s that time of year again. The months between winter break and spring break can feel like the longest days of a teacher’s life. But don’t despair!

Here are some ways to snap yourself – or your students – out of that slump.



Read Top 12 Ways to Snap Out of a Teaching Slump

Oscar Movies Video Writing Prompts

Oscar Movies Writing Prompt

3-5: Movie Rules Think about your favorite movies. What do you like about them? Based on that, write 5 rules to make a great movie.

Find activities for K-12 and more Video Writing Prompts on the Teacher Tips page!

Teaching Around the World with Kim Cofino

For the last 10 years, Kim Cofino has taken her tech teaching experience on the road, from Germany to Malaysia to Thailand, with Japan next on the list.

Kim teaches at international schools around the world. She shares her teaching adventures and philosphy in this TeachHUB interview.

Read more

A Magical Teaching Moment

Wow. With the mass firings in Rhode Island, it has been a rough week in the world of education, but I’d like to share my magical teaching moment that makes it all worth it.

Despite how heavy my heart is as I write this, I will swallow my sadness and tell you a story that might help to keep you motivated despite all this insanity raging on outside of our classrooms.

Read more

Ridiculous Student Excuses

When students start spouting excuses, I like to share the story of the time my dog actually ate my homework.

Seriously, my first real essay in 5th grade was written out on looseleaf paper sitting on a high counter seeming relatively safe until my nutso dog (f.y.i. part-poodle equals part-crazy) scaled a Mr. Ed-style half-door into the room and tore it to shreds. This, of course, turned me into a hysterical, sobbing mess. After I got my act together, my mom and I taped it back together, I typed it up and saved it as many ways as possible.

Moral of the story - suck it up and get it done!

Just because you don't take excuses doesn't mean students won't make them, though. Here are a few great ones from students and parents I've come across: Read More

6 Common Teacher Interview Questions & How to Answer Them

When you get a call from a school administrator inviting you to interview for a teaching job, how do you feel? Happy? Elated? Excited? Nervous? Scared stiff?

You don't need to worry about the interview if you're a well-prepared, qualified candidate. Preparing for a teaching interview is a lot like studying for a test. You can review commonly asked questions, think about what you'll say beforehand, and go in to do your best. If you prepare beforehand, the interview questions will seem routine and familiar. You'll have answers on the tip of your tongue, ready-to-go.

Below is a list of six commonly asked teacher interview questions from my eBook, Guide to Getting the Teaching Job of Your Dreams. How would you answer each question?

Read more

Professional Learning Communities: Becoming Better Teachers Together

Close your eyes. Wait. Open them. I hope you’ve opened them. Maybe just squint a little and imagine a work place where everyday, every individual comes to learn something. That’s EVERYONE’s goal. People come to this place because they recognize that learning is valuable, perhaps the most valuable thing a person can do with her life.

Okay. You can stop squinting. Wait for the slight headache to fade and ask yourself if your school was the place you imagined. If you did, you’re fortunate enough to belong to a professional learning community.

Read more

Politics with Dr. Seuss

There really is a Seuss for all ages...

I just learned that Dr. Seuss was a major political cartoonist during World War II. He also did animation for the Army... who knew the army had an animation/film department (I have a feeling this might get trimmed during Obama's budget audit)?

Since today is Dr. Seuss' birthday, it is the perfect opportunity to bring Suess back into the middle and high school classrooms. You can learn about political cartooning and World War II with a familiarity and playfulness that all kids recognize as Suessical.

Check out this video compiling his cartoons or visit PBS's The Political Dr. Seuss page for stills and explanations OR ready-made lesson plans.


What's your favorite Dr. Seuss work? Share in the comments section!

Grading Overload: 12 Time-Saving Assessment Strategies

There’s a faculty meeting tomorrow, a parent-teacher conference the next day, you have to prep your materials for that project next week, and – almost forgot – you still haven’t graded the assignments from two weeks ago, plus a new stack of papers walks in with today’s students. And somewhere in all of this you might actually want to see your family or catch a movie while it’s still in the theater.

Sound familiar? Don’t despair – try these tips to avoid grading overload: Read more

Chile Earthquake Writing Prompts

Your First Call - If you lived through a huge disaster like this, who would be the first person you'd call? What would you say?

Watch the video and & K-12 Chile Earthquake Writing Prompts on the Teacher Tips page!