Mr. Tu's Next Excellent Adventure Talent Search Requirements:
        · Math educator must teach in grades 5-9
        · Submit three student quotes explaining why your educator is cool
        · Submit two lesson plans created by the nominated teacher
        · Submit one page describing why this teacher should be the Next Excellent Example:

Complete an online questionnaire at www.bestquest.com/talentsearch
        · Submit one video of the teacher in action
        · He or she must embrace technology and love to be in the limelight
        · Must live within the continental United States
BestQuest Teaching Systems :is searching for the next excellent example
for Mr. Tu. A math teacher (male or female) who makes math COOL for
students.
Math instruction can be dry, but when a character like Mr. Tu is on
hand, it comes to life. BestQuest Teaching Systems, the developer of
interactive math content delivered to schools on DVD, is honoring
those teachers who take math to the next level for students and make
it a cool subject to study.
They are searching for someone who can take a regular group of
students and turn them into mathematically motivated learners
Deadline October 15, 2007
Funding level: open
http://www.bestquest.com/talentsearch/

Wild Ones funds programs that encourage students to understand the
effects of natural landscaping. Cash awards range from $100 to $500.
This grant is especially valuable for teachers wanting to step outside
the classroom. Funds may be used to purchase native plants and seeds
for a garden, trail, wetland, or research project.For more information
http://www.for-wild.org/sfecvr.html
Funding level $100 - $500
Deadline :  November, 15, 2007

 

Are You With It?

The best classroom mangers are teachers who are “withit” What is withitness? How can I be “withit” in order to effectively manage the classroom?  Withitness is the ability to be aware at all times of what is occurring in the classroom. “Withit” teachers stop problems before they occur. They also use cueing to direct behavior and manage the classroom environment.

Have you ever experienced a teacher like this?

I found this great website from Dr. Ken Shore on Education World:  Dr. Ken Shore's Classroom Problem Solver: The Aggressive Student;  The Angry Student, Part 1;  The Angry Student, Part 2;  The Annoyer; The Arguer; Asthma; The  Backtalker; The Chair Tipper; The Chatterer; The Chronic Complainer; The Class Clown; The Class Cry-er; The Disorganized Student; The ESL Student; The Forgetful Student:; The Gum Chewer The Hyperactive Student; The Messy Student; The "Noise Maker"; The Note Passer; The Student Who Cheats; The Student Who Falls Asleep; The Student Who Leaves; The Student Who Lies; The Student Who Steals; The Student Who Swears; The Student with Attention Deficit (Managing) ; The Student with Attention Deficit (Teaching) ; The Student with Low Self-Esteem; The Student with Math Anxiety; The Student With Poor Hygiene Habits; The Student with Poor Listening Skills; The Student with Special Needs; The Tardy Student; The Tease; The Unmotivated Student & The Whiner

The following PowerPoint as several key factors for classroom management: PowerPoint for Classroom Management.   11 Techniques for Better Classroom Management is also a quick reference guide. 

The following link from NEA can help you rate your disciplinary practices: Rate Your Classroom Disciplinary Practices.

Remember: If you are having problems, find someone to help or ask for assistance. Never ignore behaviors- address them!

  

My new year begins with new teachers, a new school year, and lots of new beginnings. Thirty fresh faces with varying skills and knowledge are preparing for a new career in teaching. ( see pictures below).  

We always start with a “Framework” to guide us. A framework for professional practice offers the profession a means of communicating about excellence.  I use Charlotte Danielson’s “ Enhancing Professional Practice, A Framework for Teaching”.

Danielson argues that excellence in teaching is organized around four domains: (1) Planning and Preparation, (2) the Classroom Environment, (3) Instruction, and (4) Professional Responsibilities.        

(1) Planning and Preparation: Teachers who want to excel design instruction that is coherent, include appropriate assessment techniques, and they gear instruction to the diversity of students who are in the class. The components of this domain define how a teacher organizes the content that
Demonstrating Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy
Demonstrating Knowledge of Students
Selecting Instructional Goals
Demonstrating Knowledge of Resources
Designing Coherent Instruction
Assessing Student Learning

(2) Classroom Environment: Teachers who want to excel in ths area consider each student individually--the student's own interests, concerns, and intellectual potential. The components in this domain consist of many of the non-instructional interactions that occur in the classroom such as:
Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
Establishing a Culture for Learning
Managing Classroom Procedures
Managing Student Behavior
Organizing Physical Space

(3) Instruction and Communication: Teachers who want their students to excel emphasize the importance of learning and the significance of the content. The components in this domain relate to the engagement of students with content such as: Communicating Clearly and Accurately
Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
Engaging Students in Learning
Providing Feedback to Students
Demonstrating Flexibility and Responsiveness
Teaching to the Curriculum Content Standards

(4) Professional Responsibilities: Teachers who excel in this domain serve students' interests in the larger community and are active in professional organizations, the school, the district, and the community. The components in this domain encompass the various roles a teacher assumes outside of, and in addition to, those in the classroom with students, such as: Reflecting on Teaching
Maintaining Accurate Records
Communicating with Families
Contributing to the School and District
Growing and Developing Professionally
Showing Professionalism

Danielson’s Framework represents all aspects of a teacher’s responsibilities that are reflected in their daily work. It is used for mentoring and/or supervision. It assists teachers in selection of improvement goals. Through self-reflection and analysis, a teacher can identify the components on which to concentrate. Danielson’s framework is grounded in a body of research that seeks to identify principles of effective practice and classroom management. These principles maximize student learning and promote student engagement. When it is combined with the INTASC Principles, it can assist new teachers in articulating knowledge, skills, dispositions, and roles to which they can aspire.

 

 I am thankful that I have touched, educated or informed so many.

 

 

 

 

I am on vacation this week.

Will be visiting an old army buddy in Huntsville Ala. (Redstone)

Will take lots of pictures

4th of July is a special holiday for me!!!!