Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 7/21/2023

Here are some interesting sites that I’ve found this week, thanks to my PLN. As a teacher, I feel we have to keep up to date concerning research in our field and current issues in the education system. I hope some of these inspire you, inform you, and even have you asking questions. Thank you for coming by and visiting!

Note: Each resource is labeled with a level and subject area to make it easier to use.

Levels: E: Elementary; M: Middle; H: High; G: General, all levels; SN: Special Needs; T: Teachers

Subject Areas: LA: Language Arts, English, Reading, Writing; M: Math; S: Science; Health; SS: Social Studies, Current Events; FA: Fine Arts; Music, Art, Drama; FL: Foreign Language; PE: Physical Ed; C: Career; A: All

Return of the Cat Mummy - “Return to life as a cat mummy & help save the pharaoh's journey of eternity” (L:E; SA: LA.SS)

Fact Check Explorer - “The Fact Check Tools consist of two tools: Fact Check Explorer and Fact Check Markup Tool. Both tools aim to facilitate the work of fact checkers, journalists and researchers. Google does not endorse or create any of these fact checks. If you disagree with one, please contact the website owner that published it.”(L:G; SA:A)

Some Like It Hot - “Learn about the science of hot wings—from the Scoville Scale to capsaicin we zero in on how our bodies react and process sensory information. Then, students test their sensory perception of temperature.” (L:G; SA:S)

Build a Solar Oven - “An engineering Design Challenge to design and build a solar box cooker, and test it out to see if it works well enough to make S ‘mores.” (L:M,H; SA:S)

Make Your Own Sundial - “Squeaks broke his watch! Luckily Jessi knows of a handy way to tell time, with a sundial!” (L:E; SA:S)

Original photo by Pat Hensley

Mentoring for Teachers

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

Mentoring is a powerful tool for supporting and developing teachers. It can help new teachers transition into the profession, improve their teaching practice, and build a strong professional network. I think it would go a long way to helping teacher retention also.

Here are some of the benefits of mentoring for teachers:

• Support and guidance: Mentors can provide new teachers with support and guidance as they navigate the challenges of the profession. They can offer advice on classroom management, lesson planning, and assessment. They can also help new teachers develop their own teaching philosophy and style.
• Professional development: Mentors can help new teachers stay up-to-date on the latest teaching practices and research. They can also provide opportunities for new teachers to learn from other experienced educators.
• Collaboration: Mentoring can help new teachers build a strong professional network. They can collaborate with their mentors on lesson planning, assessment, and other teaching tasks. They can also learn from other teachers in the school or district.
• Retention: Mentoring can help new teachers stay in the profession. When new teachers feel supported and well-prepared, they are more likely to stay in the classroom.

If you are a teacher who is interested in mentoring, there are a few things you can do to prepare:

• Become familiar with the school's mentoring program: If your school has a mentoring program, take some time to learn about it. This will help you understand the program's goals and objectives, as well as the expectations for mentors.
• Reflect on your own teaching practice: Before you start mentoring, take some time to reflect on your own teaching practice. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher? What are your areas of expertise? What are you passionate about? This reflection will help you identify the areas where you can be most helpful to a mentee.
• Be patient and supportive: Mentoring is a process. It takes time for a mentor-mentee relationship to develop. Be patient with your mentee and offer them your support throughout the process.

If you are a new teacher who is interested in being mentored, there are a few things you can do to find a mentor:

• Talk to your principal or other school leaders: They may be able to match you with a mentor who is a good fit for you.
• Ask other teachers in your school or district if they would be willing to mentor you.
• Look for mentoring programs in your area: There are many mentoring programs available for new teachers. These programs can connect you with a mentor who is experienced in your subject area or grade level.

Mentoring is a valuable resource for teachers of all levels of experience. If you are interested in mentoring or being mentored, I encourage you to reach out to your school or district to learn more about the opportunities available. Mentoring can help new and struggling teachers be more successful.

Learning Styles

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

I really believe that focusing on my students’ learning styles is important to teaching effectively. If I don’t understand what their style of learning is, then I’m wasting valuable time and they will be struggling to understand what I’m teaching.

There are many different learning styles that have been identified, but some of the most common include:

• Visual learners learn best by seeing the information. They may prefer to read textbooks, watch videos, or use graphic organizers to help them understand new concepts.
• Auditory learners learn best by hearing information. They may prefer to listen to lectures, participate in discussions, or record themselves reading so they can listen to the material again later.
• Reading/writing learners learn best by reading and writing. They may prefer to take notes, write essays, or create stories to help them understand new concepts.
• Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing. They may prefer to participate in hands-on activities, experiments, or role-playing to help them understand new concepts.

It is important to note that most people do not have a single learning style. Instead, they may have a combination of learning styles. For example, someone might be a visual and auditory learner, or a kinesthetic and reading/writing learner.

There are many ways that teachers can accommodate different learning styles in the classroom. Here are a few ideas:

• Use a variety of teaching methods. This could include lectures, discussions, hands-on activities, and group work.
• Provide visual aids. This could include charts, graphs, diagrams, and pictures.
• Use audio recordings. This could include lectures, discussions, or stories.
• Encourage students to take notes. This will help them to process the information and make it more memorable.
• Provide opportunities for students to practice what they have learned. This could include hands-on activities, role-playing, or writing assignments.

By understanding different learning styles and using a variety of teaching methods, teachers can help all students to learn effectively.

Here are some additional tips for teaching to different learning styles:

• Be aware of your own learning style. This will help you to understand how you learn best and how you can adapt your teaching to reach different learners.
• Get to know your students' learning styles. You can do this by asking them to complete a learning style assessment or by observing them in the classroom.
• Use a variety of learning activities. This will help to ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn in a way that is comfortable for them.
• Provide clear and concise instructions. This will help all students to understand what they are supposed to do.
• Provide opportunities for feedback. This will help students to track their progress and identify areas where they need additional support.

By following these tips, teachers can create a classroom environment where all students can learn effectively. Students will be more successful in the classroom.

How do you find out your students' learning styles? Please share. 

Teaching Kindness

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

I don’t believe that students automatically know how to be kind to others. They have to learn this and over time, it will become a habit.

Here are some tips on how to teach students to be kind:

• Model kindness yourself. This is the most important thing you can do to teach kindness to your students. Be sure to use kind words and actions in your interactions with them, as well as with other adults and children.
• Talk about kindness. Have conversations with your students about what kindness means, why it's important, and how they can show kindness in their own lives. Use books, videos, and other resources to help them learn about kindness.
• Create opportunities for kindness. Plan activities and projects that give your students a chance to practice kindness. This could involve working together on a group project, helping out a classmate who's struggling, or doing a random act of kindness for someone in the community.
• Reward kindness. When you see your students being kind, be sure to praise them for their actions. This will help them understand that kindness is valued and appreciated.
• Celebrate kindness. Take time to celebrate the acts of kindness that happen in your classroom or school. This could involve creating a kindness wall, giving out kindness awards, or simply acknowledging kind acts during class meetings.

Here are some specific activities you can do to teach kindness in the classroom:

• Have students create a kindness contract. This could involve listing specific acts of kindness that students will commit to doing each day or week.
• Play kindness games. There are many different kindness games that you can play in the classroom. These games can help students learn about kindness and practice being kind to each other.
• Read books about kindness. There are many great books about kindness that you can read to your students. These books can help them learn about the importance of kindness and see how it can make a difference in the world.
• Start a kindness club. This is a great way to get students involved in promoting kindness in your school. The kindness club could plan activities, create projects, and spread kindness throughout the school community.

Teaching kindness to students is an important part of creating a positive and supportive learning environment. By following these tips, you can help your students learn the importance of kindness and how to show kindness in their own lives. This is a skill that will help them be more successful in the classroom and in life. 

Do you teach Kindness? If so, please share. 

Journaling for Educators

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. It can be especially beneficial for educators, who often face high levels of stress and burnout. I have been journaling for years and it really helps me clarify my thoughts and develop a teaching philosophy. Journaling can help teachers to:

• Process their thoughts and feelings: Journaling can be a safe and confidential space for teachers to express their thoughts and feelings about their work, their students, and their personal lives. This can help them to better understand their own emotions and to develop more effective coping mechanisms.
• Reflect on their practice: Journaling can help teachers to reflect on their teaching practices and to identify areas for improvement. This can lead to more effective teaching and learning for their students.
• Set goals and track their progress: Journaling can be a helpful tool for setting goals and tracking progress. This can help teachers to stay motivated and to achieve their professional goals.
• Glean insights and inspiration: Journaling can help teachers to gain insights into their own teaching and to find inspiration for new ideas. This can lead to more engaging and effective lessons for their students.

If you are an educator, I encourage you to give journaling a try. It is a simple and effective way to improve your professional and personal well-being.

Here are some tips for journaling as an educator:

• Find a quiet time and place to journal. You will need to find a time and place where you will not be interrupted. This could be first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed.
• Set aside some time each day to journal. Even if it is just for 10 minutes, try to journal on a regular basis. This will help you to develop a habit and to see the benefits of journaling over time.
• Be honest with yourself in your journal. Journaling is a safe place to express your true thoughts and feelings. Don't be afraid to be honest with yourself, even if it is difficult.
• Don't worry about grammar or spelling. The most important thing is to get your thoughts and feelings down on paper. Don't worry about grammar or spelling.
• Experiment with different types of journaling. There are many different ways to journal. You can write in a traditional journal, or you can try other forms of journaling, such as freewriting, brainstorming, or drawing.
• Have fun with journaling! Journaling should be enjoyable. If you are not having fun, you are less likely to stick with it. So, find a way to make journaling fun for you.

I hope these tips help you to get started with journaling as an educator. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Do you journal? Please share your web address so I can follow you.