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February 2009
Vol 6 No 2
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Teachers.Net Gazette Vol.6 No.2 February 2009

Cover Story by Alfie Kohn
Why Self-Discipline Is Overrated: The (Troubling) Theory and Practice of Control from Within
To inquire into what underlies the idea of self-discipline is to uncover serious misconceptions about motivation and personality, controversial assumptions about human nature, and disturbing implications regarding how things are arranged in a classroom or a society.


Harry & Rosemary Wong: Effective Teaching
To Be an Effective Teacher
Simply Copy and Paste

Columns
»Do You Have a Student Teacher?Hal Portner
»Test-taking Skills Made EasySue Gruber
»Teaching Children Refusal SkillsLeah Davies
»How to Be ConsistentMarvin Marshall
»The Busy Educator's Monthly FiveMarjan Glavac
»Dear Barbara - Advice for SubsBarbara Pressman
»What Side of the Box are YOU On?Kioni Carter
»Global Travel GuruJosette Bonafino

Articles
»Teacher Study Groups: Taking the “Risk” out of “At-Risk”Bill Page
»Can Anyone Learn to Draw?Tim Newlin
»The Heart of Mathematical ThinkingLaura Candler
»Finding Free Art Materials in Your CommunityMarilyn J. Brackney
»The Downside of Good Test ScoresAlan Haskvitz
»February 2009 Writing PromptsJames Wayne
»In The Middle School (poem)James Wayne
»Using Photographs To Inspire Writing IVHank Kellner
»Teacher Performance AssessmentPanamalai R. Guruprasad
»How To Help Victims Of Bullying: Advice For Parents & EducatorsKathy Noll
»Unwilling Student Meets Unwavering Teacher Lauren Romano
»Notes from The JungleJohn Price
»Lead the Class - Teachers as Leaders John Sweeting
»Opposing Views of a Post-Racial SocietyRoland Laird
»Who Really Needs Four Years of Math and Science? Steve A. Davidson

Features
»Apple Seeds: Inspiring QuotesBarb Stutesman
»Today Is... Daily CommemorationRon Victoria
»The Lighter Side of Teaching
»Teacher Blogs Showcase
»Carol Goodrow’s “Healthy-Ever-After” Children’s Books
»Printable Worksheets & Teaching Aids
»Memo to the New Secretary of Education and
John Stossel: American students are NOT stupid
»Lessons, Resources and Theme Activities: February 2009
»All of the Presidents in Under 2 Minutes!, Needle Sized Art, I Am a Teacher!, How It’s Made: Copy paper, and If My Nose Was Runnin’ Money
»Live on Teachers.Net: February 2009
»T-Netters Share Favorite Recipes
»Technology in the Art Classroom
»Newsdesk: Events & Opportunities for Teachers


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Cover Story by Alfie Kohn

Effective Teaching by Harry & Rosemary Wong

Contributors this month: Alfie Kohn, Sue Gruber, Kioni Carter, Marvin Marshall, , Marjan Glavac, , Hal Portner, Leah Davies, Barbara Pressman, Tim Newlin, Bill Page, James Wayne, Hank Kellner, Josette Bonafino, Marilyn J. Brackney, Barb Stutesman, Ron Victoria, Panamalai R. Guruprasad, Alan Haskvitz, Kathy Noll, Lauren Romano, John Price, John Sweeting, Laura Candler, Roland Laird, Steve A. Davidson, and YENDOR.

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Josette Bonafino

Global Travel Guru
Archive | Biography | Resources | Discussion

Pre-Trip Planning Tips and Traveling to Iceland

Our Global Guru educational travel expert lists important pre-trip planning tips and endorses a plan to experience Iceland – The Land of Fire and Ice - for its unique linguistics and spectacular landscape.
by Josette Bonafino
Regular contributor to the Gazette
February 1, 2009

Dear Global Guru,
I am a 10th grade Spanish teacher leading my first international trip this spring, with 45 students no less. I’m a little nervous. What pre-planning can I do to avoid major Snafus?

Sarah Birch
Terre Haute, Indiana

Dear Sarah,
Good thing you realized there’s more to prepping for a student trip abroad than reading “1000 Places to See Before You Die.” Many inexperienced teachers don’t, and BINGO, trouble strikes. You need to consider packing protocol, safety issues and general logistics before you and your students set off to see the world.

First things first - make sure your students apply for their passports well in advance of your departure date since they may take six weeks or longer to process. The U.S. Department of State's travel site has complete info on passport acceptance facilities, fees and the required documentation.

If your travel group includes foreign exchange students or parents who are not U.S. citizens, be aware of visas they may need. A teacher friend of mine got stuck at the German border with a Bermudian student who did not have the visa necessary for him to enter the Czech Republic. Not fun. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of ALL the countries on your itinerary for specific entry requirements.

Now on to luggage. With ever-rising fuel costs and ever-changing security measures, the rules regarding “what can I bring” and “how much” are changing practically every day. Visit www.tsa.gov for the latest check-in and carry-on restrictions, and be sure to check your airline’s web site for its specific luggage weight restrictions. Stress to students that when it comes to packing, less is definitely more.

Here are a few more words of wisdom:

Establish a code of conduct, and let your students know exactly what kind of behavior – like drinking alcohol or blowing curfew - will get them kicked off the trip.

Collect each student’s tip money before you depart so it doesn’t “accidentally” get spent on souvenirs. After you arrive, collect everyone’s passport and airline ticket, and lock these documents in the hotel safe.

Make a master list of each student’s emergency contacts, prescription medications, allergies, dietary restrictions and other special needs. Make your students carry a list of your hotels in case they get lost.

Last but not least, make your group’s luggage easily identifiable to expedite collection at the airport. As Tony Orlando once sang, “Tie a yellow ribbon round that old suitcase.” Isn’t that how the tune went?

Global Guru

Article continued on next page


» More Gazette articles...




About Josette Bonafino...

The Global Travel Guru, courtesy of Josette Bonafino, also appears in Language Magazine.

Josette is the founder and Director of Culture Quest Tours, an educational tour company that specializes in custom-tailored travel programs. Since 1993, Culture Quest has worked with hundreds of American high school and college groups traveling to Europe, Latin American and beyond.

Josette is also the founder and Executive Director of MYX: Multicultural Youth eXchange, a nonprofit organization that works to increase tolerance among young people worldwide by using art-based projects to explore diverse cultures and social issues relevant to all youth.

A native Philadelphian and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Josette is an avid traveler and frequently spends time in Iceland and Montserrat where she and her husband own homes.

The Global Travel Guru welcomes all travel questions at josette@cqtours.com


Josette Bonafino Articles on Teachers.Net...
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