As teachers, we often spend countless hours grading papers and writing comments in margins, only to have our students look at the grade and then toss the paper in the wastebasket. While we must evaluate our students’ work, we also need to develop opportunities for our students to think about their work and use our corrective feedback to develop next steps for meeting the learning targets we have set. read more
As teachers, we are always in a race to cover required content, but is winning that race really teaching our students the skills they need?Mr. Scott Bolden
Eagleville School
Eagleville, Tennessee
How did you know you wanted to be a teacher?
It started when I was in the first grade. My parents tell me that I came home from school during just the second week of first grade and told them I wanted to be a first grade teacher just like Miss Peggy. I always wanted to help students learn to read and find a love for learning just like she had done for myself and so many other lives she touched. I actually got to fulfill that dream. I am know teaching first grade at Eagleville School where Miss Peggy taught me.
Here grade-specific samples of this week's video writing prompts based on a clip from Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
Last week, my excitement hit a fever pitch for the long-awaited release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I! I lined up at midnight with all the Pottermaniacs (those enlightened enough to recognize the genius behind J.K. Rowling’s creation) and it didn't disappoint. To tide myself and the rest of you fans over until the final film is released, here are some Harry Potter themed lesson ideas.
To kick off this holiday week, we want to spread a little Thanksgiving joy with our Top 12 Thanksgiving jokes, fun facts and games fun for you and students of all ages.
K-2: My Super Powers
There is only so much a teacher can do with their few hours of instructional time each week. More than ever, we need to encourage students to learn outside the classroom. Luckily, learning opportunities are everywhere, especially in science! read more
Say good bye to hugs, high fives and touching in school. (Reminder: a wave or text will suffice as a parting exchange unless you want detention). Schools, like the Portland middle school noted in this ABC News video, are banning hugs and other physical contact because it is interfering with students’ educational experience.
Fed up with building pilgrim hats out of paper bags? Feeling frustrated in the classroom and counting down the days til your next break?
Take comfort in knowing you're not alone with a poem by Roxanne Elden, author of See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers by Teachers. She captures the do or die attitude of teachers struggling in their first year.
I learned a valuable lesson about education from the unlikeliest of places: a donut cart.Over time, teaching has transformed into a craft that involves creativity, individuality, and passion. However, these necessities can be easily lost in today's classrooms. With jam packed classes and the standard curriculum set, is teaching no longer an art?
As a teacher, you are to bound to eventually face confrontational situations with infuriated parents.Veteran's Day has always been one of those days I never got off school, so I never paid much attention. I'm guessing even those who do get the day off don't give it the attention it deserves. One of my coworkers just told me a story about his daughter:
Daughter: Woohoo, we have the day off!
Dad: What for?
Daughter: Veteran's Day
Dad: Do you know what a veteran is?
Daughter: No
Dad: Brief definition of veterans, and tells her that grandpa is one.
Daughter: Ok, can I put the radio back on?
Rather than let another Veterans day go by unnoticed, let's this opportunity to inform kids about the sacrifices and patriotism of soldiers and veterans. read more
The world of search is changing. Google , the leader, is being challenged by Microsoft and it's new search engine, Bing. In order to stay ahead Google is constantly working on new and innovative products to stay #1. Google Squared has been around for a while now but still has not caught on, and I can't really figure out why. For students, Google Squared so good and I really do think it will change the way students conduct research online.
read more
6-8 Role Model Responsibilities
With the recent ruling that teachers have no free speech rights in the classroom, it’s got me wondering what this means for teachers: 
I know some teachers are doing great things with technology, but I just don’t have the time to figure out what stuff to try! If this sounds like you, don’t worry! These 13 time-saving sites will save time organizing, preparing for lessons and projects, not to mention looking for online resources. Check out these classroom-tested, free tech tools. read more
