New Jersey Teachers Chatboard

Why did the US Government buy a herd of camels? What did Dennis the Menace and Albert Einstein have in common? Whose brain set a record for the smallest brain ever measured for an adult man with a normal head?

All of those intriguing questions and many more will be answered during March in Jim Wayne's very popular Writing Prompts! The firs...See More

Mar 1, 2014

This week's writing prompts by Jim Wayne now posted!

This week's writing prompts by Jim Wayne are posted at the link below!

Here's a sample from the writing prompts for Feb. 28:

Most of the people of Curiepe, Venezuela, make their living fishing for sardines. Every year on this day, they have a funeral for the sardines they have caught during the previous year. The funeral serves to...See More

Feb 24, 2014

resign now? is there a way out?

by SUCKER

Feb 18, 2014

So last year my kids score poorly on the ASK because I taught an inclusion class with no inclusion teacher and about a third of my kids were puled from the class for "test prep" with other teachers. By the way I started at the school in November and the kids had 4 other teacher up to that point.

In September, the NEW principal embarrassed...See More

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If you're in a union, you should really talk with your rep Seems like you should document some of this experience and ask your union rep (let's hope) to schedule a meeting with the two of you and Prince Diddly. Copy your HR department and ask that it be entered in your file, possibly attached to the "Killed You" evaluation papers.

And yeah, if the principal's a jerk, one of you needs to go.
...See More

Feb 18, 2014

yes in a union yeah i am in a union. the supervisor claims she is giving me support , so who knows who the union will "Support" On 2/18/14, If you're in a union, you should really talk with your rep wrote: > Seems like you should document some of this experience and ask > your union rep (let's hope) to schedule a meeting with the two > of you and Prince ...See Moreyeah i am in a union. the supervisor claims she is giving me support , so who knows who the union will "Support" On 2/18/14, If you're in a union, you should really talk with your rep wrote: > Seems like you should document some of this experience and ask > your union rep (let's hope) to schedule a meeting with the two > of you and Prince Diddly. Copy your HR department and ask that > it be entered in your file, possibly attached to the "Killed > You" evaluation papers. > > And yeah, if the principal's a jerk, one of you needs to go. > > > On 2/18/14, SUCKER wrote: >> So last year my kids score poorly on the ASK because I >> taught an inclusion class with no inclusion teacher and >> about a third of my kids were puled from the class for >> "test prep" with other teachers. By the way I started at >> the school in November and the kids had 4 other teacher up >> to that point. >> >> In September, the NEW principal embarrassed me in front of >> the entire faculty by announcing that he had no idea what >> happen the 7th grade scores (i teach 7th). I approached him >> the very next morning to express concerns about not having >> pull out this year etc....he blew me off by saying he would >> meet with me and SURPRISE did not. >> >> He evaluated me. Killed me. At this rate I would not get my >> increment. >> >> He sent a supervisor to give me support.She brings me to >> another school. Shows me these perfect teachers. I imagine >> she wants me to be like them. Then a few weeks later she >> goes shopping and brings me supplies because she doesn't >> like how I keep my classroom. >> >> So it seems to me that I'm just a god awful teacher and >> person that needs complete grooming. It's like giving >> somebody a make-over for their birthday isn't it? I can't >> help but think that I'm not wanted, but instead another >> imaginary teacher is and I am supposed to magical morph in >> to her. >> >> I seriously want to quit. I find these actions >> unprofessional, not helpful. I'm unhappy.

Feb 18, 2014

Writing prompts for this week now posted!

Feb 16, 2014

This week's prompts are now posted! Here's a sample from the dozens available!

In 1930, the first cow flew on an airplane. The cow was even milked while on the airplane. What kind of problems do you think there would be trying to fly a cow or other large animal on an airplane?

NJ TEACHERS PLEASE ADVISE-Got a 2 on a Danielson Domain on E

by LISA

Feb 11, 2014

I work as a special education teacher in a middle school setting. I work with different teachers, and arrive as class is starting. I work hard to help my students and other struggling students. I provide in class support. On my instruction domain, I received a 2. He only commented on student groupings. He said I should rethink it. What does that me...See More

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regular, nfm .

Feb 12, 2014

8 Black History Study Strategies to Avoid by Jennifer Davis

Feb 10, 2014

Jennifer Davis Bowman, Ed.D. writes in Teachers.Net Gazette:

After thinking about the curriculum that most educators (including myself) fall into during the month of February, I compiled a list of 8 things to avoid during the study of Black History. [Click below to read her list.]

Rigor and the Common Core: Just the Beginning

Feb 2, 2014

Rigor and the Common Core: Just the Beginning - article by Barbara Blackburn in the NEW February issue of Teachers.Net Gazette.

Writing Prompts for Feb. 1-8 by Jim Wayne

Writing Prompts for February 1- 8 by James Wayne are posted online [hyperlink below].

February sees the birth of jeans, a national park, the Supreme Court, and in Japan they’re throwing beans. And then a cow flew a plane…so be sure you don't miss any of this month's writing prompts!

Here's a sample from this week's collection...See More

Feb 1, 2014

Writing Prompts for Jan. 19 - 25 by Jim Wayne

This week's writing prompts are posted online, linked below!

A sample from this week's prompts:

January 25:

The first winter Olympic Games opened in Chamonix, France, in 1924. It began the process of popularizing winter sports for ordinary people; prior to then, only very rich people (or those who lived in the mountains) ...See More

Jan 19, 2014

First Grade in Finland: Every Day is Half Day

Jan 18, 2014

Tim Walker is an American teaching in Finland. He offers interesting andinformative comparisons between practices in American schools and the highly regarded Finnish education system. Click below to read his latest post.