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High School Teachers Chatboard

Homeless Students: Tips for Teachers

by Daniel Hanson

Oct 4, 2012

Hello, everyone!

I’m sure more of us are seeing cases of homeless students. I know we have cases at our school. Here are some tips I got at work that I thought could be beneficial for other teachers as well.

Warm regards, Daniel Hanson Public High School Spanish Teacher Atwater, California, USA

Tips for Ensuring Educati...See More

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Cheating? What Would You Do?

by Holly

Oct 5, 2012

My students took a test today. After the class, one of the students in the class stayed after to tell me that the girl next to him had cheated. He is a trustworthy student and the girl he accused is one I suspected of cheating last year at one point and gave the benefit of the doubt. I did not want to do this again.

I e-mailed dad and exp...See More

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mm Does dad know that she's admitted this? I hope so. I think you've probably helped create a turning point in her life, unless dad and her find more compliant staff somewhere else. I'll bet (based on experience) that there's more 'cheating' than just tests going on here. There's probably more parental input/help in other assignments and some avoidanc...See More

Oct 15, 2012

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Holly I do think this has opened dads eyes. He came to talk to me at parent-teacher conferences last week and told me that a few days after I had contacted him they had caught her in a lie about where she was for an entire evening over the weekend. She was supposedly at so and so's house, but the parents thought they were at their house and vice versa. I...See MoreI do think this has opened dads eyes. He came to talk to me at parent-teacher conferences last week and told me that a few days after I had contacted him they had caught her in a lie about where she was for an entire evening over the weekend. She was supposedly at so and so's house, but the parents thought they were at their house and vice versa. I think he is beginning to see that maybe trustworthy daughter is not so trustworthy. He thanked me for keeping my eye on her.

On 10/15/12, mm wrote: > Does dad know that she's admitted this? I hope so. I think you've > probably helped create a turning point in her life, unless dad > and her find more compliant staff somewhere else. I'll bet (based > on experience) that there's more 'cheating' than just tests going > on here. There's probably more parental input/help in other > assignments and some avoidance of due date compliance as well. > > > On 10/11/12, mm wrote: >> Did you do any investigation or inquiry to determine she'd >> cheated before you contacted the dad? And, the pregnancy thing >> as part excuse is offensive to me. I remember the days when >> pregnant teachers and women generally were barred from most >> workplaces! >> >> >> >> On 10/05/12, Holly wrote: >>> My students took a test today. After the class, one of the >>> students in the class stayed after to tell me that the girl >>> next to him had cheated. He is a trustworthy student and >>> the girl he accused is one I suspected of cheating last >>> year at one point and gave the benefit of the doubt. I did >>> not want to do this again. >>> >>> I e-mailed dad and explained the situation and per our >>> academic honesty policy, she would receive a zero on the >>> test. >>> >>> Dad e-mailed me back saying that he talked to his daughter >>> and said that she did not cheat and that his daughter was >>> offended I would make such an accusation. He wants me to >>> let her re-take the test to prove she knows it. This means >>> I would have to make up another test just for her. >>> >>> In addition to all of this, I am 8 months pregnant and not >>> as mobile as I once was. It is hard for me to circulate >>> around the room the whole time the kids are taking tests >>> and they know this. >>> >>> I truly believe this girl cheated. What should I do? Should >>> I stand my ground or give in AGAIN knowing that she is only >>> hurting herself?

Oct 15, 2012

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ISO of term paper ideas on the 21st American Dream

by Debbie

Oct 11, 2012

I am looking for fresh ideas for my junior English class term paper assignment. Since we read so many novels with the American Dream theme Gatsby..., Salesman...,Grapes...A Raisin... I am thinking they should read a book written by or about a 21st Century immigrant's story. Any ideas/recommendations?

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Encourage Students to Make “The Choice”

by Teachers.Net Gazette

Oct 17, 2012

Encourage Students to Make “The Choice” by Steve Reifman

Every year I see students make significant learning gains, and without exception this progress is due to the fact that the kids decided that they wanted to do better in school and made the choice to dedicate themselves to becoming quality students.

Once children make �...See More

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Debating Leaving Teaching

by Michelle

Nov 5, 2012

I'm currently in my 2nd year of teaching science at the high school level (same high school as year 1) and I find myself burnt out almost beyond repair & the 1st semester isn't even over. Last year I was able to teach the subject I majored in & came in very enthusiastic but spent a lot of time crying & wanting to quit thanks to having t...See MoreI'm currently in my 2nd year of teaching science at the high school level (same high school as year 1) and I find myself burnt out almost beyond repair & the 1st semester isn't even over. Last year I was able to teach the subject I majored in & came in very enthusiastic but spent a lot of time crying & wanting to quit thanks to having the majority of my students not care about their education and not putting in the effort to learn anything. I'd try to make things as exciting as I could but no matter what I did, they still failed exams & quizzes all year long. I went to multiple admin but after being told that if the majority of my students were struggling it wasn't them it was me & being told that I wasn't making the material & activities important enough to them I quit seeking help from admin. I understand that teachers who refuse to do anything different can be a problem but I've tried. I do different teaching techniques, I try to put more work on the students & less on me but they don't work. If I have the students come up with questions to ask each other (suggestion I found online) they make ridiculously simple, low level questions that don't require thinking at all. I contemplated leaving after year 1 but felt I owed my school 1 more year. About 1 week before school started I got word that I was going to be teaching 2 different preps, 1 of which was the class I taught last year & one was a class I never expected to have to teach & was in no way prepared for. I have no reference at our school because the vet teachers for the subject left so those of us teaching the subject this year are all new. With the new state testing that's starting & my constant feeling of insecurity & fear & working until 9pm every single week day & working 5-7 hours Saturdays & Sundays I find myself wanting to throw up my hands now & quit. I'm afraid because I never pictured myself doing anything but teaching so I have no back up plan but I know there is no way it's healthy for me to be 1-working as much as I am, 2-crying & feeling depressed as much as I am & 3-feeling like I'm a failure as a teacher as a result of my student performance despite the fact that my coworkers have nothing but positive things to say about what I'm doing. I'm currently trying to figure out if trying another district is the right choice (I don't want to stay in my current district if I stick with teaching) or if this is my huge sign that I wasn't made for teaching. I know ultimately the decision is up to me but I haven't found a good support yet that hasn't been from people who love the profession. I loved it before I started, now I'm just so burnt out I don't know which way to turn. Any advice/input would be appreciated.

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Carolyn I am a third year science teacher and I feel exactly the same way as you. I have never failed at anything that I have set my mind to, but I feel that I am failing at this. I am seeking a new type of employment. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone:) I have no advice, but i will let you know if I find any. Good luck and try your best...See MoreI am a third year science teacher and I feel exactly the same way as you. I have never failed at anything that I have set my mind to, but I feel that I am failing at this. I am seeking a new type of employment. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone:) I have no advice, but i will let you know if I find any. Good luck and try your best to survive and be happy! On 11/05/12, Michelle wrote: > I'm currently in my 2nd year of teaching science at the > high school level (same high school as year 1) and I find > myself burnt out almost beyond repair & the 1st semester > isn't even over. Last year I was able to teach the subject > I majored in & came in very enthusiastic but spent a lot of > time crying & wanting to quit thanks to having the majority > of my students not care about their education and not > putting in the effort to learn anything. I'd try to make > things as exciting as I could but no matter what I did, > they still failed exams & quizzes all year long. I went to > multiple admin but after being told that if the majority of > my students were struggling it wasn't them it was me & > being told that I wasn't making the material & activities > important enough to them I quit seeking help from admin. I > understand that teachers who refuse to do anything > different can be a problem but I've tried. I do different > teaching techniques, I try to put more work on the students > & less on me but they don't work. If I have the students > come up with questions to ask each other (suggestion I > found online) they make ridiculously simple, low level > questions that don't require thinking at all. I > contemplated leaving after year 1 but felt I owed my school > 1 more year. About 1 week before school started I got word > that I was going to be teaching 2 different preps, 1 of > which was the class I taught last year & one was a class I > never expected to have to teach & was in no way prepared > for. I have no reference at our school because the vet > teachers for the subject left so those of us teaching the > subject this year are all new. With the new state testing > that's starting & my constant feeling of insecurity & fear > & working until 9pm every single week day & working 5-7 > hours Saturdays & Sundays I find myself wanting to throw up > my hands now & quit. I'm afraid because I never pictured > myself doing anything but teaching so I have no back up > plan but I know there is no way it's healthy for me to be > 1-working as much as I am, 2-crying & feeling depressed as > much as I am & 3-feeling like I'm a failure as a teacher as > a result of my student performance despite the fact that my > coworkers have nothing but positive things to say about > what I'm doing. I'm currently trying to figure out if > trying another district is the right choice (I don't want > to stay in my current district if I stick with teaching) or > if this is my huge sign that I wasn't made for teaching. I > know ultimately the decision is up to me but I haven't > found a good support yet that hasn't been from people who > love the profession. I loved it before I started, now I'm > just so burnt out I don't know which way to turn. Any > advice/input would be appreciated.

Jan 21, 2013

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Joe High school kids are idiots. Especially in today's society where they learned entitlement from their parents. They are lazy and think mommy and daddy will take care of them their whole lives. I take a tough love approach to my students, I remind them that if they don't take their education seriously they risk living with mommy and daddy forever, wo...See MoreHigh school kids are idiots. Especially in today's society where they learned entitlement from their parents. They are lazy and think mommy and daddy will take care of them their whole lives. I take a tough love approach to my students, I remind them that if they don't take their education seriously they risk living with mommy and daddy forever, working at menial jobs.

Half the battle of today's teachers is to motivate the kids. I treat my classroom as a work place, they are there to work, or they get fired, removing students that disrupt others.

The first couple years is the toughest. I'm in my third year, and I'm finally starting to enjoy teaching. The first couple years were awful. I was not prepared for modern teens. Now I have a better handle on it, mostly because I don't take any crap from them and get them to work. Good luck. Teaching is not easy. I was in industry my entire career and teaching is my second career, and by far the most difficult job I've ever had.

I'm a liberal, but liberal attitudes toward child rearing are bad. Too many helicopter parents today, they don't let their children fail, so when they do fail, it is a catastrophe. Children today do not know how to do things on their own and this business of everyone getting a trophy is ludicrous, that is not how the world works. The world is competitive, and if you don't teach the kids this, they will have very unfulfilled lives as adults.

On 11/06/12, Vet Teacher wrote: > On 11/05/12, Michelle wrote: > > Is this happening across the board at your school? Are your > colleagues who speak so well of your teaching having the same > problem? > If they are, have you asked them how they cope with it? If > they're not, have you asked them how they manage it? > > Not everybody is meant for teaching nor is any school the > right school for every teacher. But if your colleagues are > having much the same results as you, why are you so upset? > > You don't say what kind of a school you're in - urban, rural, > large, small, inner city? But most important you need to say > if your colleagues are having the same problem. What kind of > tests and quizzes are you using? Are they generated by the > publisher who wrote your textbook? > > I'd always say - turn to your building colleagues for your > best advice. If they're managing to have their students do > well enough on the state tests, then ask them how they do it. > If they too aren't having great results then ask them how they > cope with that. > > Moving to another school is a possibility and that might work - > all schools are different. It's not possible to say from a > distance whether teaching is right for you or not - many > teachers have difficult years in their first years. > > >> a result of my student performance despite the fact that my >> coworkers have nothing but positive things to say about >> what I'm doing. I'm currently trying to figure out if >> trying another district is the right choice (I don't want >> to stay in my current district if I stick with teaching) or >> if this is my huge sign that I wasn't made for teaching. I >> know ultimately the decision is up to me but I haven't >> found a good support yet that hasn't been from people who >> love the profession. I loved it before I started, now I'm >> just so burnt out I don't know which way to turn. Any >> advice/input would be appreciated

Feb 18, 2013

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College Assignment: Teacher Interview

by Sabrina Martinez

Nov 8, 2012

Name: City/State: School District: School:

Where did you graduate from?

What was your first teaching job?

How long have you been teaching?

Describe your worst behaved student; how did you handle that student and was it successful?

What do you like most about your job?

What do you like least abou...See More

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memorization

by suzanne coonley

Nov 18, 2012

I am tutoring a student who is a senior in French 2 and cannot seem to memorize his verbs. We have tried written, auditory and oral methods, but it is very slow. Any other suggestions. He is a very good violinist,but singing a song doesn't seem to work either.

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Daniel Hanson I wasn't specifically talking about learning another language, but I guess it can tie into it. I was referring to how some learners remember better when they listen to something repeatedly or identify something orally so many times as opposed to those learners with great visual memory. They write a word or see a word once and can remember what it m...See More

Dec 3, 2012

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Sara On 12/03/12, Daniel Hanson wrote: > I wasn't specifically talking about learning another language, but I > guess it can tie into it. I was referring to how some learners remember > better when they listen to something repeatedly or identify something > orally so many times as opposed to those learners with great visual > memory. They...See More

Dec 3, 2012

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Book suggestion

by Grice

Nov 26, 2012

Hello everyone,just wanted to introduce this new book that was written to encourage students to chase their dreams despite the odds they face. Take a look.

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reading program

by katie

Nov 26, 2012

Looking for good reading program for high school students that read 2 years below grade level

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Daniel Hanson I personally am a fan of Direct Instruction, especially in intervention/resource/special education classes. Therefore, I would recommend Corrective Reading by SRA.

On 11/26/12, katie wrote: > Looking for good reading program for high school students > that read 2 years below grade level

Nov 26, 2012

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using grouping

by stuck

Nov 27, 2012

I have put students into groups to work on an activity in order for them to share ideas and explore the material in more depth, so it's not just me talking to them. I came up with a great activity, the only problem is that they are not interacting much, more like one student figures out the answer and the rest copy. How do you solve this?

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Steve On 12 > > Does anyone have any ideas on how, in a group activity, you can ensure > that they have to talk to each other? There must be a strategy that not > only doesn't allow the good kids to suffer frustration due to the lazy > kids, but also requires that they get information verbally from each > other rather than passing aroun...See More

Dec 7, 2012

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stuck On 12/07/12, Steve wrote: > On 12 >> >> Does anyone have any ideas on how, in a group activity, you can ensure >> that they have to talk to each other? There must be a strategy that not >> only doesn't allow the good kids to suffer frustration due to the lazy >> kids, but also requires that they get information verb...See MoreOn 12/07/12, Steve wrote: > On 12 >> >> Does anyone have any ideas on how, in a group activity, you can ensure >> that they have to talk to each other? There must be a strategy that not >> only doesn't allow the good kids to suffer frustration due to the lazy >> kids, but also requires that they get information verbally from each >> other rather than passing around what they wrote and copying each >> others writing. > > > This has been an interesting thread to follow. Why don't you do it this > way? Imagine you're sitting in a meeting of the faculty and your > Principal wants you all to brainstorm together several suggestions for > cutting down the noise in the cafeteria. You all know that the cafeteria > was never built to hold so many kids and you think you've been given a > futile task and one that's taking up time you'd rather devote to > something else. > > How would your Principal make you all talk about the topic he wants you > to talk about? > > In my experience, you have to cajole kids into doing these things and > that means you have to be on your feet moving from group to group doing > quick crowd management and throwing in thought-provoking comments as you > go or - you have to scare kids into doing it. > > But go at it from the other angle and figure out what your Principal > could do to make you all talk together. And don't say threaten you with > being fired because you can't fire kids from public school just because > they don't brainstorm well together in group work. > > I'm sure you'll find your answer if you go at it like that - what would > work for you in a group?

I have redesigned the lesson and it seems to be working better. We'll see. I had them choose different subjects within a topic to research, and directed them through a jig-sawing activity. So they then got together with an "expert" group, took notes while sharing what they had learned, moved back to their original "jig-saw" group and wrote their notes on chart paper. The last stage of it is for the groups to share what they have learned with the class. Unfortunately, each group is more or less working on the same topics, and I realized that there will be a lot of redundancy during the presentations, which are challenging enough with students not knowing how to speak to a class or give an effective oral report. I don't want to sit through hours of tedium and neither do my classes. How can I culminate this activity in a way that will avoid this?

Jan 11, 2013

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