Dinosaur Scare Video Writing Prompts

K-2: Your Pet Dinosaur
If you had a pet dinosaur, what would you name him? Draw your dinosaur pet and write his name under the picture. Bonus: describe in 1-2 sentences a dinosaur game the two of you would play together.

9-12: Learning Comes to Life
This dinosaur visit is a great way to get kids excited about learning about dinosaurs. What would make learning fun for you? Think about one of the subjects you're currently studying. Brainstorm 5 different projects, classroom activities or special guests that would make school come alive.

Watch the video and see all Dinosaur Scare Video Writing Prompts

5 Don'ts for Teacher Professional Development

A professional development session can leave a teacher feeling knowledgeable and excited, or feel like the session was a waste of their time.

I’ve had the benefit of working in three different districts; some were very laid back, and others were very uptight. I’ve seen both extremes as far as the PD spectrum goes; I’ve had great, and I’ve been subjected to bad, so I feel qualified to write on professional development.

When I came across the article 5 Ways to Fail at Design in the Harvard Business Review, I became inspired to relate it to teaching. I knew the points of design failure could aptly be used in the teaching profession, especially in regard to professional development failure.

Take these teachers' perspective tips on what to avoid when planning your next professional development.

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6 Common Teacher Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

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.

Read 6 Common Teacher Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Quick Guide to Singapore Math Modeling

How often do your students ask to do the word problems in the math assignment first?
How often do your students feel successful and confident with problem solving and computation?

If your answers are rarely or never, you’re not alone. Math is one of the most challenging subjects to inspire confidence and enthusiasm in your students. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Try this intro method to Singapore Math to see how it can change how you and your students think about math.

Read Quick Guide to Singapore Math Modeling

Top 12 Young Adult Books for Reluctant Readers

It is nearing the end of the 2010-2011 school year (how can that be???) and I have my list for the best read, most asked for, and favorite books from my class library.

The list includes books aimed for both guys and girls. This list is (most importantly) not up to me–all of these books were checked out most of the year because my students LOVE them.

Without further adieu, here are the top 12 young adult reads for your classroom library:

Read Top 12 Young Adult Books for Reluctant Readers

Fighting Childhood Hunger in Schools

Schools Fight Hunger is on a mission to bring America's schools and school families together in the effort to end childhood hunger.

Learn about the Schools Fight Hunger organization and find out how your school can participate in this exclusive TeachHUB interview.



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Teacher Tips for Dealing with Out of Control Parents

This amusing advice column helps teacher deal with difficult parents by learning from other dangerous predators: bears.

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Earth Day Project: Recycle with Students

Though it may not be a question on standardized tests, recycling, energy conservation and green living are crucial factors in our world. Establishing knowledge and good habits about conservation doesn’t have to be a hassle with these classroom tips.




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Earth Day Eco-Tips for Teachers

Happy Earth Week! To get you in the green spirit, here are some ways you can reduce, reuse, recycle and teach eco-friendly habits in your classroom!

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Top 10 eLearning Trends in K-12 Education

E-learning, like most aspects of the applied sciences and education, is a rapidly growing and changing field. New technologies are constantly being implemented that let students and teachers better interact both in the classroom and outside of it — not only at the college level, but in K-12 schools around the world.


If you’re an educator trying to keep up, here are some trends that are changing the face of 21st century learning.

Read Top 10 eLearning Trends in K-12 Education

How STEM School Will Change US Education

While some have argued that the recent surge of attention to Science Technology and Engineering (STEM) education is misguided, it's clear that Obama and Duncan have made this area a priority. One of the latest results of this new push can be seen in the form of new STEM-focused schools.

Here is a brief rundown of what these STEM schools are all about and how they represents the beginning of a change in the way that we educate our students.

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Soul Surfer Video Writing Prompts

K-2: Cheer on Bethany!
Make a sign or a card for Bethany to cheer her on for her next surfing competition!

9-12: Adjusting to Change
Bethany loves to spend her free time surfing. What physical activities do you like to do in your free time? Now, imagine you had an accident like Bethany and as a result had a physical disability. Would still be able to do these activities? Describe how that disability would change your day-to-day life.

See video and get all Soul Surfer Video Writing Prompts

How to Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools

Regardless of your school’s cell phone policy, the reality in most schools is that students have phones in their pockets, purses, or hoodies. Why not get these tools out in plain sight and use them for good and not evil?

Here are some easy to use strategies to use cell phones in the classrooms.

Why Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools
Cell phones are different from a computer lab filled with computers or a cart of netbooks because the cell phone is personal technology. Most students have invested a great deal of time learning about the features of the cell phone, how to navigate and the limitations of the phone. The other reason to really rethink the cell phone debate is because learning on the cell phone can extend beyond the walls of the school or the confines of a class period.

Read How to Use Cell Phones as Learning Tools

18 Inclusion Strategies for Student Success

If you are a teacher of students within an inclusion classroom, then you are probably a creative, caring, patient, innovative, resourceful, structured, and flexible person. Whew!

The Many Facets of Inclusion Teaching

The many hats that you wear on any given day depend upon the students, subjects, and topics you teach. Schools and families collaborate to assist students of all ability levels to achieve many skills, while co-teachers and all staff collaborate together to teach and reach each student. Planning for successful inclusion includes allocating the time, resources, strategies, interventions, appropriate student supports, and of course, can do attitudes!

Read 18 Inclusion Strategies for Student Success

Cool Google Tools for Teachers

We all know Google will do searches, mail, calendars, images and tons more stuff, but I got really excited when I came across a list on Twitter with all the Google Tools and Apps, listed A-Z. There are so many great resources for educators and students.

Here are my favorite cool, lesser known Google tools that can play big roles in the classroom.

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99 Reasons Teacher Rock

The education community has been all gloom and doom recently, with Waiting for Superman, protests with bad press, and more standards on top of foolish mandates coming down from every which way.

At TeachHUB, we want to remind all you teachers that we know you rock. Here are 99 reasons to prove it!

99 Reasons Teachers Rocks

1. Teachers rock because they are able to make 60 decisions a minute, all while sipping cold coffee, helping children overcome problems in reading and subtraction with regrouping, and filling out about a million forms in triplicate. We rock! ~ Michelle Howell-Martin

2. "When asked what gift they would most like to receive from their students, nearly half of all teachers say a simple "thank you" will suffice, according to a recent National Education Association online poll."

3. Teachers can make you feel special, no matter what your age. Check out My Kindergarten Teacher, My Hero for one touching story.

4. Teachers rock because we have bladders of steel ~ Cheryl Bremson

5. Teachers are the kings and queens of acronyms – from RtI to DI to NCLB to AFT to NEA to SPED to AYP to the ABCs.

Read 99 Reasons Teachers Rock

Solving the Student Connection Crisis

After teaching lessons around the theme of identity for two weeks in a row, I gave students an article from a local teenage publication entitled “Where My Identity Comes From.” When I asked my students why they thought I was giving them this to read, I was met by only blank stares.

They neither told me it was because they were teens themselves nor because we had been discussing the idea of identity in art, poetry, short fiction and a novel for the past 10 days of school.

“Oh Lord (Byron),” I thought to myself, “they’re not connecting one day to the next.”

I began to ask my students if they remembered any of the other things we’d read about identity. Blank stares. “Any poems? Any stories?” Blank. Stares.

Read Solving the Student Connection Crisis

Creative Literature Projects Students Love

Sometimes it’s difficult to get students interested in literature, especially the classics. Spicing up lesson plans with some creative projects allows students who are not traditionally academically successful to show what they’ve learned in a slightly different way. The results can be refreshing and rewarding!

Here are ways you can spice up your lessons as well have examples of what I have done in my classroom.

Creating Themed Environments in Your Classroom
Creating a classroom party around a themed book topic can be fun and educational.

My Great Gatsby Party
This is the first year I’ve tried this project, but it was fun and really successful. I printed a simple backdrop from the Internet, a drawing that looked like Gatsby’s mansion. I posted a sign above it that read “Gatsby’s party.” As extra credit, I challenged students to find examples of 1920s fashion and create themselves in the likeness of a flapper or a bootlegger, somebody who would appear at Gatsby’s lavish soirees. It works best if students are given guidelines (size, type of paper). I asked for figures that were cut out, on cardstock or poster board, and six- to eight-inches tall.

Read about more Creative Literature Projects Students Love

Top 20 Teacher Jokes

To start April off right, I've compiled and concocted 20 side-splitting (and maybe a little corny) teacher jokes to laugh our way back around to the weekend.

*
What is a math teacher’s favorite sum?
Summer!

*
Why does the principal keep talking to me about having more “arty eye”? I teach reading, not art.

Read our Top 20 Teacher Jokes

Awesome Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers

Find and share your favorite Web 2.0 tools on the new TeachHUB Recommendations Share Wall!

This weekly feature will have a new theme for recommended resources every week. You can also tag for grade level and include links, pictures, videos and more.

Just roll your cursor over the blue box in the right hand corner to grab your Post-Its and add your favorite Web 2.0 tools to the bulletin board.

Find Awesome Web 2..0 Tools for Teachers

Spread the Science Bug: Kim Bent Interview

Kim Bent is the face of "Catch the Science Bug," whose local PBS program and education website make science an interactive experience for students and teachers alike.

Learn Kim's secrets to making science infectiously fun for you and your students in this exclusive TeachHUB interview.

Can you tell us a brief description of the “Catch the Science Bug” program and website?
Catch the Science Bug’s mission is to get children excited about and engaged in science! We teach different science enrichment programs in the schools, offer a free educational website, and produce a science series for Rhode Island PBS which will be available via video come September.

Read Spread the Science Bug: Kim Bent Interview

Last Weekend to Enter Classroom Comics Giveaway

This is the last weekend to enter the Classroom Comics Giveaway.

Deadline: Three winners will be chosen at random on Monday, April 4 at 12 p.m. CST

In honor of Women's History Month, TeachHUB wants to bring forceful females to your class!

We're giving away "Female Force" graphic novels to provide empowering, student-friendly reading materials to you & your students.

Enter the Classroom Comics Giveaway