Scholastic Instructor: Spring 2012

My Spring 2012 edition of the Scholastic Instructor magazine showed up yesterday in my mailbox.  (Yes, I still receive stuff via snail-mail ...LOL) 

Normally I find most educational magazines contain, on average, two really good articles and then a couple that are interesting.  This edition?  Wow!  I found so many GREAT things in it! 

First, SCIENCE TEACHERS ... go to scholastic.com/instructor and download free copies of the Scientific Method Posters.  Colorful!  Simple! AND FREE!!

Next, Scholastic Instructor is hosting a poetry contest for grades 4-8!  Information and rules can be found at scholastic.com/instructorpoetrycontest!

Some really intriguing ideas regarding STEM (written for younger grades, but could definitely be adapted for middle school) such as having kids design a knee brace or working together to determine what materials create the best membrane. 

And finally, a controversial article (in my mind at least) on how texting improves spelling.

The Spring 2012 edition isn't available yet on-line, but it should be soon!  In the meantime, feel free to borrow my copy!

Primary Sources = FREE workshop

UNC is offering its Essential Exploration workshop this April!  This FREE workshop introduces you to the variety of primary sources available via the Library of Congress website AND offers ideas on how to incorporate these valuable resources in to your lessons.

Sign up today!! 

Quantum Teaching

Looking for a good read?  Something that will reinspire you as a classroom teacher?  Something that will allow you to continue strenghtening your teacher skills?

Quantum Teaching has some great ideas!  AND I have my notes from the specialized training session given in conjunction with the book.  Stop by to talk and I'll be more than happy to let you borrow my notes AND my copy of the book!

Did you know???

Studies completed by the Learning Forum in California recommend using posters to "time frame" your classroom!

Place posters in the front that are current (present day)
Place posters on the left that are from previous days (the past)
Place posters on the right that are for future days

Pictures/posters that are placed "ABOVE" eye level help students "look up" and create visual pictures for future memory.

Affirmation pictures (words/thoughts) should be set in the room at ear level.  The most important word you want them to say is the "brightest/boldest" word on the page.