Education

What Makes a Good Teacher

July 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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Every parent with a school-age child understands how much a good teacher can influence a child. For most kids, their motivation comes from wanting to please the teacher. It’s why they complete assignments and it’s why the student strives to do well on it. If the child doesn’t like the teacher, it may be very hard to motivate him or her to do well.

But there are other reasons why good teachers are important. Teachers who love their students can help boost their students’ self esteem and show them that they’re special. Teachers can also help their students gain a love for learning. For kids who don’t have the best home life, a good teacher can create an environment where these kids want to be — a haven that is safe and comfortable.

So what makes a good teacher? You’d think the most important thing would be a teacher who teaches well, but in reality, a good teacher is one that loves his or her students. It’s a teacher who loves teaching and wants all of the students to succeed.

Another important quality is understanding. There are many teachers who don’t get that sometimes no matter how hard students try, they aren’t able to get a concept or aren’t able to concentrate in class. This could be because of a learning disability such as dyslexia or because of having ADD.

Students need to know that they can approach their teacher and ask questions without being made to feel unimportant or stupid.

Filed Under: Education, Teacher Tips Tagged With: Education, Student, Teacher

Keeping Arts in the School

July 14, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

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Discussions crop up here and there about whether it’s worth funding the arts in schools. There is so much that needs to be paid for, is it worth providing art classes, music classes, and drama classes? The answer is a resounding yes! If anything, the arts are currently underfunded.

So why do we need the arts? Too many of our students today lack in using creativity. Instead of learning how to creatively solve problems, they are instead given problems to solve that don’t require much thought. When outside of school, they are entertained by video games, movies, TV shows, and computers.

But creativity is essential to success. Even those students who don’t end up as artists or musicians still need creativity. You’ll find that the most amazing business leaders are ones that are able to look at a problem that seems unsolvable and figure out a solution that benefits all those who are involved. Creativity is used in every aspect of our lives. Even parents need creativity in thinking up fun activities for their children to do or creative ways to teach children what behavior is expected of them.

And the arts can lay a foundation for other learning. Did you ever think about how much math is needed for music? At the beginning of each song is a fraction that is used to determine which notes get the beat and how many notes are in each measure. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much benefit to having arts included in the curriculum.

Filed Under: Learning Activities & Games, Uncategorized Tagged With: Art, Education, Mixed media

Advantages of Private School Education

March 28, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Private schools are thought by many to provide a more quality education to students. While it can be costly, many parents might not mind paying for it, since the value of learning has no price tag. Each generation of young people become the next generation of adults and experiences within the classroom can offer a percentage of who they become.

Some people consider private education to be a monetary privilege rather than an academic right. Since parents are paying for their children’s experience, they can have the opportunity to intervene in how they learn and are disciplined. In many cases the teachers and students are aware of appropriate protocol. Poor behavior is typically handled with individual students immediately. Expulsion is often a final consequence of ongoing misbehavior, making behavioral problems in general less likely.

It’s not uncommon for children within the private school settings to surpass their peers who attend public school because students are expected to be more responsible for their own academic success. The tuition which parents pay covers the cost of many textbooks and the curriculum offered can allow students to achieve greater educational success. Some college-level coursework is offered in many private high schools, while public school honors programs can be less advanced in some cases.

Since the class sizes are typically smaller in private schools. There may be more opportunities for students to get to know their peers and their teachers better. With this in mind, teachers can help to refine and build a curriculum geared for a student’s individual needs. The private school learning environment is still competitive, but more on the premise of academic achievement. Popularity and fashion are thought by some not to be an issue (at least not during school hours).

Although many students can thrive within various academic settings, they may receive higher testing results and may choose to drop out less often. Whether we choose private schools or not, it’s worth looking into.

Filed Under: Education, Students Tagged With: Education, Private school, State school

Grammar School Children and Homeschooling

March 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Many parents opt for homeschooling their children from grammar school age and up because they’d like to spend more time with them while having an active role in their learning. For some parents, putting the children in school offers a minor sense of relief and a much needed break when life becomes busier. While there are many good schools nationwide, it might not seem as safe to some of us.

If you’re interested in homeschooling your child, it can be a challenge with many rewards that can last for both yours and their lifetime. Please be sure to research homeschooling carefully, as each state and territory will have its own set of laws pertaining to education.

One of the first places to investigate might be online support groups that specialize in homeschooling within your area. You might even want to use your library card that’s been collecting dust in your junk drawer, since many books can be found on the subject. Certification may be necessary before getting started.

Contrary to some beliefs, homeschooling doesn’t cause our children to be any more or less sheltered than their peers. Quite a few students seem to enjoy it since homeschooling can provide more flexibility and less pressure overall. While each school subject is important, it isn’t necessary for all grammar school-age students to perfect all of their math skills. Parents who want to teach don’t have to master every topic and it is possible for their children to enroll in classes for the subjects that seem uncomfortable.

If parents lack the time to teach, some children enjoy learning solely from schools online. Additionally, many parents like teaching some of the course work and they divide the time with e-learning classes.

Parents can integrate education and socialization by taking field trips in the same manner as public and private school settings. Whenever you do, remember to keep a balance between learning and free time. Offer rewards for good work.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Child, Education, homeschool, Parent

Sex Education: Where do we Begin?

March 16, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

The letter “e,” sandwiched by “s” and “x” may be scary for us when our children begin asking questions. Many parents are often left with a void of what to say in their responses and the concept of sex education provided by the school system may be missing some imperative knowledge. This of course depends on who’s teaching the school’s health curriculum and how precisely the information is presented to students.

Ideally educators should provide sex education at the dawn of puberty, which for girls this can begin between the ages 9 and 13. Boys can enter puberty between ages 10 and 12. While it’s true that students may giggle, it’s important information for them to be aware of. When students are still in elementary school girls and boys health classes are typically separated and the nature of instruction has to do with bodily changes that will occur with each gender.

For parents the task of introducing the birds, bees or life’s continuation can be daunting, but it’s necessary to provide the facts regardless of age. Many of us shudder to think of what can result when we have a talk with our children about this very topic. Many more of us worry what will happen if our children are not properly informed on the subject. It’s been a debate for many decades, but we should be open to any questions and remember to answer them honestly and clearly to ensure were understood. The stork species is still in existence, but we’re all aware that they have nothing to do with dropping babies off on the doorstep or through the fireplace.

Curiosity makes us human, but many believe that certain television programs and magazine advertisements peak interest. As parents and educators we should consider encouraging knowledge, but through accredited sources since certain TV shows and magazines can instigate mythical beliefs. Children need reliable sources to go to with their questions. Being uncomfortable doesn’t matter here.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Education, Parent, Sex education

Self-Esteem Education for Children

March 9, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Although many people believe that self-esteem is something we’re born with rather than taught many others feel that parents and teachers can intervene at an early age. When it comes to teaching children the skills to improve or increase self-esteem, education can be last for a lifetime if it’s done properly.

Parents can let their children know (at a young age) that all of us have more than one important role in our lives. We can be someone’s brother or sister while also being someone’s friend, cousin and hero. Additionally, we can be talented in more than one area. Some of us are good teachers and writers. Others have an eye for every detail and make good party planners, cooks, and interior decorators. Most young people don’t require complicated explanations and usually just want to know the facts.

With many of the nation’s children being in the care of school settings for much of the time during the week, many parents seek the assistance of teachers. Activities that encourage self-esteem are offered within many classrooms. Some instructors like to give their students a written assignment at the beginning of the year and they discuss what they like about themselves. Nothing negative is included and upon completion of this assignment, teachers will keep students papers until later in the second semester of school. Ideally, this kind of activity should occur during elementary school. This gives an opportunity for reflection and personal growth.

Interviews shouldn’t just be left to career-hopefuls or post-graduate students. Many have suggested the interviewing process as a means of getting to know others of all ages in just a few short minutes. We all have different personalities and unique quirks that set us apart from others. This means that not everyone will get along and interviews can offer more education about someone else. We may not acquire a best friend by interviewing each other, but we can teach tolerance and self-esteem.

Filed Under: Learning Theories & Development Tagged With: Education, Parent, Self-esteem, Teacher

Teaching Basic Math Skills

February 23, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Do you think you are not educated enough to teach your child basic mathematics? Basically to teach your child mathematics you do not need to be college educated. You just need to find out how you can start the lessons.

Using math, out loud, in every day situations is a great start. Suppose you are cooking in the kitchen and your child is playing next to you. Have your child help you measure. You can multiply a recipe and ask for their help. You can talk about ratios, fractions, and many other math related ideas just while making dinner.

Also, have a coin bank for your child. When your child asks to buy something at a store, instead of buying it immediately you can ask them to note down the amount. Make deals for them at home so that you can start paying them in change and ask them to save it inside their bank. Ask them to keep on counting as the money grows up inside the bank until it reaches the price of the game or toy that they wish to have. You can use almost any type of coin bank for this, but the best ones can be seen through, so a jar may work better than a piggy bank. This not only teaches them patience and basic math skills, it also teaches them how to save and budget money.

You might not have thought about these small things before, but everything in this world can be related to mathematics. There are many ways through which you can help your kid to learn math and get good grades in school. Parents just need to find the proper trigger inside them to make the child want to explore math. Once they start learning this subject using real-world scenarios, they will begin to grasp it much better.

Filed Under: Tutoring Tagged With: Education, Mathematics

Great Gifts for School Teachers

February 8, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Teachers make a great impact on the life of their students. They can be compared to a potter who moulds beautiful pottery. They initiate children into the world of words. They build the future hence when it comes to gifts for them it too has to be special. What could we possibly give a teacher to show our appreciation?

In the Indian tradition the teacher is considered as a god. When I think of a special gift for a teacher the first thing would be giving the respect and reverence he or she well deserves all the other gifts come secondary. But when presenting something as a token of appreciation there are many things that can show your love to your teacher.

A copy of his or her favorite book, or a DVD that contains your teacher’s favorite songs or movies. But there is nothing more special to a teacher than something that has a personal touch to it. If you have good writing skills, put pen to paper and gift a poem or a short story describing your teacher and what he or she means to you.

Make a PowerPoint presentation as a class letting your teacher know how she has influenced and inspired you. You could also borrow a DVD of a classic like “To Sir with Love” and watch it along with your teacher. Make a card with each student writing a few words of gratitude. Bring out the best in you to give the best to your teacher. There is nothing more dear to a teacher than the love and affection of his or her students it’s something they look forward to and cherish. Let the teacher know that his or her efforts are acknowledged, appreciated and valued by you as a student and/or parent.

If you do not know the teacher well, consider giving classroom supplies. Your child’s teacher likely has to buy many of the items that are in his or her classroom. Some sets of markers or a case of glue sticks could be very beneficial.

Filed Under: Teacher Tips Tagged With: Education, Student, Teacher

Cold Weather Classroom Strategies

February 1, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

When it is too cold to take the kids outside for recess, the air in the classroom seems almost electrically charged for most of the day. Everyone talks a little louder. Everyone play a little more roughly. Everybody makes you repeat what you said just one time more than usual.

As crazy as everything is, the school day must go on. Cold temperatures may last for days, and the class can’t go long without getting back to the work that needs to be done. How do you keep little minds focused on work and make the room a calming environment?

First, get some energy out. Find out if the gym is open for your class to do some running. Spend a few minutes playing games that involve jumping jacks and It may be a good idea to collaborate with teachers in nearby classrooms so that the excessive noise doesn’t bother their classrooms or interrupt them taking a test.

Second, try a few yoga poses or quiet stretches with the students. Also, try playing soothing music during quiet times. Soothing music not only quiets the class, but it relaxes them as well. Not only does this work while you are getting kids acclimated, but it also works throughout the day to help you keep them focused.

A snack can be a great bribe for good behavior, but it can also be disruptive as well. If you are making a snack for your class, try something natural and healthy, like half an apple. The less additives and sugar that are in the better you students will act afterwards.

Most importantly, be flexible. If your class is obviously not getting anything out of a lesson, take a break and come back to it later. Turn the spelling lesson into a spelling game. Change the math lesson into a game of whispering “Around the World” where the winner only gets to move on if they whispered the answer.

When you feel you are at your wit’s end, remember that spring comes every year! So does the warmer weather. Hang in there!

Filed Under: Learning Theories & Development Tagged With: Classroom, Education, Student

Reading Expectations When Entering Elementary School

December 27, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

One of the many parents worry about as their children are about to graduate from the Kindergarten level of education to grade school is what their child should know once they hit first grade and what they will learn over the course of the year. This can be a trying time in parents, especially new parents lives simply because they do not want to think that their children are somehow underprepared or behind the rest of their kids’ class. What most people don’t realize is that for the most part if the parents are spending time with the kid, reading to him or her and with him or her then their child is pretty much ready for first grade.

During first grade, one of the most important aspects of the child’s education will be determining sight words. Sight words are words that a child recognizes right away and can basically actually read. Sight words can be learned fairly easily as long as they spend kindergarten engaged and they are also practicing reading at home. Of course a first grader, especially when they first enter the grade will not be expected to recognize every word in the dictionary but they should also be able to do what is called decoding. Decoding basically means that the child is able to figure out a word they have never seen before based on familiar looks and sounds.

Again, decoding is a skill that can be learned as long as the parents are taking a concerted effort towards making sure the child is getting plenty of reading done while they are at home. Parents who work with the schools to help their kids get the best educations, parents who do not lean on the schools to be the only providers of education will see children who learn faster and more effectively.

Filed Under: Students, Teacher Tips Tagged With: Child, Education, Elementary school