Not long ago, "summer reading" meant settling under a shady tree with a hefty book. Shady trees are still around, but books with pages can seem as out-of-date as vinyl records to many kids, especially older ones. Today, they scroll through content online, swipe pages on tablets, and manage a near-constant stream of media. Teachers can take…

Despite the expansion of bully-proofing programs in recent years, many teachers feel they lack the training necessary to manage the complexities of friendship at work in the classroom and on the playground. Teachers want their students to be friends and to be kind to each other. The reality is, all children have moments in which they are unkind.…

Blaming teachers for all that is wrong with the American school system is very "en vogue." Teachers are blamed when test scores are down, when the latest silver-bullet solution fails, and when graduation rates fall to an all-time low. All of this blame, says the author, creates an environment where the work of teachers is not respected, making it…

Every teacher hits a patch where each day seems to bring the same struggles, sometimes with the same kids, sometimes with different ones. At these moments, teachers may feel like everything is about to derail. How they cope with these behavioral problems, especially at the start of the year, can set the tone for success or failure in the months…

Inquiry-based learning is about more than moving desks out of those neat rows and avoiding lecture and recitation, says the author in his newest book, "Engaging Readers & Writers With Inquiry". It is about turning the way teachers teach upside down and inside out by asking students the big questions and letting them find their own way to the…

Children have been taught since birth to believe they can do anything they choose, from starring in the school play to mastering long division. All that self-confidence, however, has not produced more capable students. The Brookings Institution 2006 Brown Center Report on Education finds that countries in which families and schools emphasize…

This article discusses the results of a survey of more than 1,300 new teachers regarding reasons for becoming teachers, beliefs about sex education, values education, and many other current issues. (MT)

Five examples are used to show how a teacher can help pupils recognize their own self worth. (MT)

Handling upset parents, unexpected kid behavior, and touchy school politics are some of the toughest parts of a teacher's job. As such, it never hurts to have an emergency plan or two tucked away and a few tried-and-true strategies one can count on. In this article, the author presents several sticky situations and corresponding solutions for…

Substitute teachers who perceive a school staff as supportive have greater confidence and are more effective. Tips to help both the substitute and the students have a pleasant and productive day are offered. (MT)

Briefly describes how one elementary school teacher handled the death of a pet. A short bibliography of children's books that deal with the subject of death is included. (JMB)

A systematic approach which clearly defines teacher, student, and parent roles in homework is described, including discussion of homework policies, homework returns, study areas, survival kits, and time management. (CB)

Suggestions are provided for promoting positive school and community relations, including establishing a public relations committee and program which informs the community of school achievements and activities. (CB)

Discusses what teachers must know to help children cope with loss (death, divorce, and moving), explaining that for most children, loss and fear go together, and noting that it is often the teacher who first identifies how difficult a loss is for a child. A sidebar presents tips on dealing with loss in the classroom (being attentive, sensitive,…

This article presents several punctuation activities that help students practice dialogue-writing skills. Teachers can help their students become intrepid reporters by providing them with story ideas or by inviting them to develop their own "scoops." In addition, comic strips can also be used for dialogue-writing practice.