Monthly Archives: February 2012
Volume 13, Issue 9 – Constructivist Book by Jim Pelech
There is a book by Jim Pelech of Benedictine University that you ought to read if you are looking for practical strategies to use in the classroom that reflect constructivist theory. Because Jim is a professor of mathematics there are excellent examples in math; however, Jim’s examples cut a wide swath across many disciplines. The [...]
Teaching Strategy of the Day 2-29-12
A carousel is a wonderful activity because it enables students to work in the area of their strongest intelligence (think Howard Gardner) while participating in the same activity. Carousels can be used in any discipline and at any grade level. A well planned carousel can enable students to use almost all of the eight Multiple [...]
Teaching Strategy of the Day 2-28-12
Here’s a line from a long ago Tony Bennett hit song that can be used to challenge students to interpret its meaning: “Children everywhere, when you shoot at bad men, shoot at me; take me to that strange enchanted land grown ups seldom understand.” Students often give a very literal interpretation to poetry. This can [...]
Volume 13, Issue 8 – How Teachers Differentiate Instruction, Part III
In the conclusion of this three part series on differentiated instruction, you will find: A response to the question “Why should we?” A summary of tips for effective differentiation of instruction An example of how Mickey Mantle, or a celebrity more of your students’ generation, can be utilized to motivate students to learn what you [...]
Teaching Strategy of the Day 2-27-12
Students often mistakenly think they know what you have assigned, whether for a group activity, an individual task or for homework. Sometimes they know they don’t understand, but are shy about asking for clarification. After you have given what you think are clear instructions, say to a student “Please share with all of us what [...]
Teaching Strategy of the Day 2-23-12
One definition of an “authentic task” offered by Fred Newman of the University of Wisconsin is a task that has an audience beyond the teacher for a grade. Try to design projects which have a product students will be proud to display, whether at home, in the classroom or elsewhere. Think of people you can [...]
Teaching Strategy of the Day 2-22-12
End a class, just before your closure (or ticket out the door activity) while students are engaged in something that needs to be completed. Instruct students to begin their work as soon as class begins the next day and not to wait for you to start class. As students enter the room the next day, [...]
Teaching Strategy of the Day 2-21-12
During an activity or while students are working on a project, ask them three questions: What are you doing? Why are you doing it? What will be your next steps? It should be the goal of a teacher to reach a point where students can respond correctly to each of these three questions. This is [...]
Teaching Strategy of the Day 2-20-12
Administrators: do you agree, as most of us do, that people copy what we do much more than listen to what we say? If this is true, then your actions have a much greater impact on your teaching staff than anything you speak to them about. Ask yourself one question: “Does the way you conduct [...]