Teachers.Net Gazette: April 2002, Volume 3 Number 4

TEACHERS.NET GAZETTE

Volume 3 Number 4

COVER STORY
Harry & Rosemary Wong remind us, "Leaders lead and they lead by caring enough about the success of their teachers that they will roll up their sleeves and model instructional leadership."...

COLUMNS

Effective Teaching by Harry & Rosemary Wong

Promoting Learning by Marv Marshall

4 Blocks by Cheryl Sigmon

Ask the School Psychologist by Beth Bruno

Online Classrooms by Leslie Bowman

The Eclectic Teacher by Ginny Hoover

The Busy Educator's Monthly Five (5 Sites for Busy Educators) by Marjan Glavac

Ask the Literacy Teacher by Leigh Hall

Visual Impairments by Dave Melanson

Instant Ideas for Busy Teachers by Barbara Gruber and Sue Gruber

ARTICLES

Reflecting Upon Read Across America

Earth Day Compilation

The World in Lights

Take a Seat at the Bottom of the Class

Starting Children on Science

Tips for teachers being bullied!

Mr. Choose-A-Chart

Teaching Perseverance Through Adversity-A History Lesson

It's An Early Spring!

Memo to Staff: Our Computer System Crashed-We Have No 'Backups'-You're Not Getting Paid for a Month!

Keep Your Online Community Alive!

Curricular Science the 'Curry' way!

Geography Awareness

Principal of the Year Ray Mellberg

eBook Technology

Respect Means...

Creative Uses for Digital Cameras in the Classroom

Teaching Gayle to Read (Part 4)

Young Lawyers Ementoring Magnet Students

The Welcome Mat of a High School On-Line Community

Plato Lives...

The Asphalt Classroom

26 Teaching Tips for the Dog Days

Using Storytelling in the Classroom

Recapturing the Courage to Teach

To Leave No Child Behind

TEACHER INSPIRATION

If you say you CAN'T, it means you WON'T

Something Nice a Student Did Yesterday...

ON-SITE INSIGHTS

When Your Child Comes Home Messy

Praise vs. Encouragement

People Don't Play...

REGULAR FEATURES

Apple Seeds

Special Days This Month

Poem - Song of a Second April

The Lighter Side of Teaching

YENDOR'S Top Ten

Culprit Management

Schoolies

Woodhead

Handy Teacher Recipes

Classroom Crafts

Help Wanted - Teaching Jobs

"Why Do We Have Night" from the Lesson Bank

Upcoming Ed Conferences

Letters to the Editor

FYI

The School Web Page: A Vehicle for Innovation

Eighth Emerson Prizes Awarded in Boston

Student Nanoexperiments Will Help Future Astronauts on Mars

The 11^th Annual National Institute for Early Childhood Professional

International Conference on Computers in Education

SESSIONS ANNOUNCED: Congress in the Classroom 2002

Teacher Network United States Mint

DEADLINE: Civic Education Grants

Gazette Home Delivery:

Earth Day Compilation
compiled by Kathleen Carpenter, Editor in Chief
Earth Day is on April 22.

Click for
Full story

Tips for teachers being bullied!
by Kathy Noll
It's not just kids who are being bullied today...

Click for
Full story

Teaching Perseverance Through Adversity-A History Lesson
by Lawrence F. Roberge
I recently had a discussion with a colleague that reminded me of a lesson in perspective. Under the present shadow of the September 11^th terrorism as well as the discord aroused from the news of bioterrorism, I was wondering out loud whether our nation would have the resolve to handle this crisis...

Click for
Full story

Mr. Choose-A-Chart
by Michael Moore
Teachers are generally of two schools when it comes to homework -- those who hate it and do not assign it and those who hate it, but assign it...

Click for
Full story

Curricular Science the 'Curry' way!
by P R Guruprasad
Let me describe a how she [my mother] used to make use of an improvised 'pressure cooker'...

Click for
Full story

Reflecting Upon Read Across America
compiled by Kathleen Carpenter, Editor in Chief
A Compilation of Read Across America Activities from Teachers.Net Chatboards and Mailrings...

Click for
Full story

Starting Children on Science
by Michael Elsohn Ross
Young children are scientists at play. While they're baking mud pies or building worm playgrounds, you may catch them conducting playful experiments...

Click for
Full story

If you say you CAN'T, it means you WON'T
by Tchr4Truth
Twenty years ago my hubby was teaching middle school PE and coaching...

Click for
Full story

Something Nice a Student Did Yesterday
by Sunday Moon
Last night there was a basketball benefit for a teachers assistant and her family...

Click for
Full story

Keep Your Online Community Alive!
by Ken Rhodes
As the creator of an online community, you may be called on to perform many tasks...from designing and developing the environment to gathering the members...

Click for
Full story

Principal of the Year Ray Mellberg
by Jennifer Rich
It's the end of a busy day at Willow Run's Henry J. Kaiser Elementary in Ypsilanti, Michigan and Principal Ray Mellberg is trying to finish writing a grant application when a woman near tears walks into his office...

Click for
Full story

Respect Means...
by Robert Mills
Respect means accepting and loving each child as they are...

Click for
Full story

Creative Uses for Digital Cameras in the Classroom
compiled by Kathleen Carpenter, Editor in Chief

Click for
Full story

Young Lawyers Ementoring Magnet Students
by Justin Elegant
In 2000, the Legal and Public Affairs Magnet Program was created at Miami Senior High for accelerated students interested in careers in law and public affairs...

Click for
Full story

When Your Child Comes Home Messy
by Teresa on the Early Childhood Mailring
I recently have had run ins with several parents about messy clothes AND the question why isn't my child learning to write their name...

Click for
Full story

Harry & Rosemary Wong: Even Superintendents Do It When you walk into Wal-Mart you are usually greeted by a precious, mother-like lady who hands you a cart and says, "Welcome to Wal-Mart."...
Full story

Reducing Stress By Promoting Responsibility -- Rather than by Attempting to Manipulate Behavior by Dr. Marvin Marshall The Raise Responsibility System is a proactive discipline approach that does not reward students for expected, appropriate behavior...	A Faculty Meeting Experiment: Modeling SSR Block by Cheryl M. Sigmon Here's an idea for one of your school's remaining faculty meetings this year. It'll provide an opportunity to add some levity to the traditional hum- drum-I-don't- want-to- be-here faculty meeting!...
Full story	Full story

Take a Seat at the Bottom of the Class
by Bill Page
Unfortunately, by definition, 50% of all the kids in class are below the class average by any given measure or by mean, mode or median...

Full story

The Job Interview from Hell by Beth Bruno Toward the end of the interview Judy told me that finalists for the position would be asked to evaluate a child while parent(s) and staff observed...	Diploma Mills by Leslie Bowman A diploma mill is defined as: Any institution offering a postsecondary degree, diploma, or certificate while claiming accreditation which does not exist or...
Full story	Full story

It's An Early Spring!
by Jay Davidson
This is an activity that is easy to work on together at home and it can be a fun lesson for children to learn about the way things grow...

Full story

Comments and Questions About the Six Traits Writing Model by Ginny Hoover As I continue to work with the Six Traits, it becomes apparent that some are not sure what it is and how it works. The Six Traits Writing Model was prepared at the NWREL...	Theme Sites Part 1 by Marjan Glavac Here are five websites to help Busy Educators find lesson plans according to themes...
Full story	Full story

Ten Instant Energizers Especially for Teachers!
by Barbara Gruber and Sue Gruber
Teaching is a more challenging profession than most teachers ever dreamed it could be! And, it becomes more difficult each year...

Full story

Ask the Literacy Teacher by Leigh Hall This month; English Language Learners Some quick tips that can be easily applied with English Language Learners...	The Concerns and Fears Related to Losing One's Eyesight by Dave Melanson One of the hardest things for an individual who has been accustomed to 20/20 vision is coming to terms with a decline in eyesight...
Full story	Full story

Using Storytelling in the Classroom
and
Recapturing the Courage to Teach: An Interview with Parker J. Palmer
by Joy Jones

Full story

Top Ten by YENDOR Top Ten Reasons I Am Late Getting in This Month's Top Ten	Culprit Management by Goose/TX I have a student in my class who continually causes problems...
Full story	Full story

eBook Technology: Transforming Curriculum and Professional Development Delivery
by Glenn Dietzel
eBooks (electronic + Books = eBooks) have become one of the HOTTEST revolutions on the internet today...

Full story

Apple Seeds by Barb Erickson Every morning Barb/MI posts an inspiring or thought-provoking quotation we refer to as an "Apple Seed" on the main chatboard.	Today Is... by Ron Victoria Special Days This Month
Full story	Full story

Memo to Staff: Our Computer System Crashed-We Have No 'Backups'-You're Not Getting Paid for a Month!
by Dr. Rob Reilly
Virtually all the records that were once kept on paper are now maintained on computers...

Full story

Geography Awareness by Jay Davidson Parents are in an excellent position to help children become aware of geography and the terms associated with it...	Teaching Gayle to Read (Part 4) by Grace Vyduna-Haskins Teaching children who lack background knowledge and specific skills that make learning to read easy is a much like a battle to reach the summit of a mountain...
Full story	Full story

The Welcome Mat of a High School On-Line Community:
A High School How-To "Meet and Greet"
by Christine Jackson and Beverly Fierro
The two most important aspects of extending the welcome mat online are the discussion thread and the creation of an environment that encourages students to engage in critical-thinking discourse...

Full story

Plato Lives… by Susan Post Over the years, it's been said that a true meeting of the minds can only occur with a physical presence...	The Asphalt Classroom by Royce Gough I can see it in their eyes. I imagine you can too. You know the look. The one that says, "I'm here for class… my brain is empty… please, fill it quickly so I can get out of here and get on with my life."...
Full story	Full story

26 Teaching Tips for the Dog Days
by Debbie Wolf Page
Here are 26 favorite ideas and tips gleaned from twenty-six years of teaching. You can find lots of books on curriculum-based lessons but few people tell you how to deal with the overwhelming workload and the fatigue of constantly "being on."...

Full story

To Leave No Child Behind by Sara Matthews Do we really want all students to be successful - to be "not left behind" or is it necessary that some must always lag behind so that the success of others may be validated?...	Praise vs. Encouragement by Kathleen Fedele When talking about praise vs. encouragement, they must first be defined and understood...
Full story	Full story

In this issue:

COLUMNS

Even Superintendents Do It
by Harry & Rosemary Wong
Reducing Stress By Promoting Responsibility -- Rather than by Attempting to Manipulate Behavior
by Marv Marshall
A Faculty Meeting Experiment: Modeling SSR Block
by Cheryl Sigmon
The Job Interview from Hell
by Beth Bruno
Diploma Mills
by Leslie Bowman
Comments and Questions About the Six Traits Writing Model
by Ginny Hoover
Theme Sites Part 1
by Marjan Glavac
English Language Learners
by Leigh Hall
The Concerns and Fears Related to Losing One's Eyesight
by Dave Melanson
Ten Instant Energizers Especially for Teachers!
by Barbara Gruber and Sue Gruber

ARTICLES

Reflecting Upon Read Across America
compiled by Kathleen Carpenter, Editor in Chief
Earth Day Compilation
compiled by Kathleen Carpenter, Editor in Chief
The World in Lights
from Marisa Sgueglia
Take a Seat at the Bottom of the Class
by Bill Page
Starting Children on Science
by Michael Elsohn Ross
Tips for teachers being bullied!
by Kathy Noll
Mr. Choose-A-Chart
by Michael Moore
Teaching Perseverance Through Adversity-A History Lesson
by Lawrence F. Roberge
It's An Early Spring!
by Jay Davidson
Memo to Staff: Our Computer System Crashed-We Have No 'Backups'-You're Not Getting Paid for a Month!
by Dr. Rob Reilly
Keep Your Online Community Alive!
by Ken Rhodes
Curricular Science the 'Curry' way!
by P R Guruprasad
Geography Awareness
by Jay Davidson
Principal of the Year Ray Mellberg
by Jennifer Rich
eBook Technology
by Glenn Dietzel
Respect Means...
by Robert Mills
Creative Uses for Digital Cameras in the Classroom
compiled by Kathleen Carpenter, Editor in Chief
Teaching Gayle to Read (Part 4)
by Grace Vyduna-Haskins
Young Lawyers Ementoring Magnet Students
by Justin Elegant
The Welcome Mat of a High School On-Line Community
by Christine Jackson and Beverly Fierro
Plato Lives...
by Susan Post
The Asphalt Classroom
by Royce Gough
26 Teaching Tips for the Dog Days
by Debbie Wolf Page
Using Storytelling in the Classroom
by Joy Jones
Recapturing the Courage to Teach
by Joy Jones
To Leave No Child Behind
by Sara Matthews

TEACHER INSPIRATION

If you say you CAN'T, it means you WON'T
by Tchr4Truth
Something Nice a Student Did Yesterday...
by Sunday Moon

ON-SITE INSIGHTS

When Your Child Comes Home Messy
by Teresa on the Early Childhood Mailring
Praise vs. Encouragement
by Kathleen Fedele
People Don't Play...
by ~§Jude§~

REGULAR FEATURES

Apple Seeds - A Month of Quotes for Educators
by Barb Erickson
Special Days This Month
by Ron Victoria
Poem - Song of a Second April
by Edna St. Vincent Millay
The Lighter Side of Teaching
YENDOR'S Top Ten
Culprit Management
by Goose/TX
Schoolies
Woodhead
Handy Teacher Recipes
Classroom Crafts
Help Wanted - Teaching Jobs
Why Do We Have Night from The Lesson Bank
Upcoming Ed Conferences
Letters to the Editor

FYI

The School Web Page: A Vehicle for Innovation
Eighth Emerson Prizes Awarded in Boston
Student Nanoexperiments Will Help Future Astronauts on Mars
The 11^th Annual National Institute for Early Childhood Professional
International Conference on Computers in Education
SESSIONS ANNOUNCED: Congress in the Classroom 2002
Teacher Network United States Mint
DEADLINE: Civic Education Grants

The Teachers.Net Gazette is a cooperative publication by and for members of the Teachers.Net community. We accept for consideration brief articles (approximately 350-2500 words) on topics of interest to educators. Articles should be fully edited, spell checked, and ready for publication. Send submissions by e-mail to editor@teachers.net along with a brief biography written in third person. A digital photo (headshot) is desirable but optional. Teachers.Net reserves the right to edit articles accepted for publication.
Kathleen Carpenter - Editor in Chief
Mary Miehl - Technical Editor