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Monday, January 2, 2017

Teaching Strategies for the NEW YEAR!


As most teachers head back to school after winter break, we realize how difficult it may be to get our students back into the routine of school. Therefore, instead of immediately beginning with the current unit of study, I often begin with a "Growth Mindset" activity and/or a a goal-setting strategy.


My "Growth Mindset" activity includes not only a presentation to teach about growth mindset, but also a reading strategy that gives examples of the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset.
 

SMART Goals and Time Management is a FREE resources for the secondary classroom. It reviews the SMART goal strategy which I find the most useful. It also includes a presentation with engaging video's.
 
Does your classroom management need a little improvement? Of all the classroom management strategies I've tried, I find creating "Cooperative Groups" in my classroom is the one strategy that works the best in creating a productive and cooperative classroom. This strategy not only helps my students develop cooperative skills but also influences my students to act appropriately in the classroom.
 
I'm sure in the first few days your students return back from winter break many students will begin to whine. Whine that they have to wake up early, whine that they have to think critically or write an essay. Instead of getting annoyed and angry with their whining, have a little fun with this fun and  FREE "Scoring Guide for Whining"!
 
As the semester comes to an end and final exams begin, you might be in need of some "Fun Games and Review Strategies". This purchase includes 18 different games to choose from.
 
After final exams we will then need to complete semester grades for all our students. Here is another FREE resource to make grading a little easier!
 
I hope returning back to school will now be a little easier!

Happy Teaching!

Sunday, December 25, 2016

FREE Resource! SMART Goal Setting and Time Management

Perfect activity to begin the new year! Get this FREE resource, "SMART Goal Setting and Time Management HERE!

This is a 3-page guide to help your students create and accomplish their goals. It reviews the SMART system of goal setting, which I find is the most useful technique. Goal setting is a necessary skill that all students should know before graduating high school. This is useful for any secondary classroom. Three inspirational video's and a power point presentation are included.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-SMART-Goal-Setting-and-Time-Management-for-Secondary-Students-478891
 Happy Teaching!

Monday, November 14, 2016

Formative Assessments for Every Classroom

When incorporated into classroom practice, the formative assessment process provides information needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are still happening. The process serves as practice for the student and a check for understanding during the learning process. The formative assessment process also guides teachers in making decisions about future instruction. Check out these fun and creative formative assessments that can be used for any subject (best for grades 5-12).

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Formative-Assessments-for-Any-Subject-Exit-Slips-Interactive-Notebook--2868490


Monday, November 7, 2016

Teach with Movies! American Imperialism

Do you wish you could actually teach your high school history class with movies? There are so many great historical films that I don't want my students to miss! I don't have time to show full length films in my class, therefore I offer extra credit if my students watch them at home.

When I first introduce a new unit I give my students a list of films related to the topics we will cover in class. Students can choose one film per unit to watch for extra credit. After they watch the movie they complete these FILM questions.

 Here is a list of films I offer for extra credit for the unit, "America Becomes a World Power":
All the King's Men
Princess Kai'ulani (Imperialism in Hawaii)
Across the Pacific (Spanish-American War)
Baler (Spanish-American War)
Last Stand in the Philippines
A Message to Garcia (1936) (Spanish-American War)
Santiago (1956) (Cuban Revolution)
Crucible of Empire (The Spanish-American War)
The Red Baron (World War I)
Legends of the Fall (World War I)
Johnny Got His Gun (World War I)
War Horse (World War I)
Wilson (World War I)
The Fighting 69th (World War I)
Men with Wings (1939) (World War I)
 

Monday, October 31, 2016

Engaging Election Teaching Activities

The 2016 Presidential Election is only eight days away! November 8th is the big day where the American public will decide who our next fearless leader will be. To make your life easier, I've created many engaging election activities that you can use in your secondary classroom, no matter what subject you teach! Just take a look below and follow the links to get more information for each product.

Lesson #1: 2016 Mock Election and Presidential Scavenger Hunt. This is two-day activity that you can easily  implement the day before the election and election day. Students will research the Presidential candidates and participate in a Mock election, counting electoral votes and popular votes. The night of the election students will complete an Electoral College Map and the next day compare the class election results with the actual election results.

Select HERE to see the product

Lesson #2: FREE Presidential Debate Activity: Your secondary students can use this easy chart when watching the 2016 Presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-2016-Presidential-Debate-Analysis-ChartCivics-2802820

Lesson #3: Electoral College Simulation: This is an engaging activity simulates a mock Presidential election. Students will be able to really “see” how the Electoral College works and have fun in the process. All teacher preparation and student instructions are included.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Electoral-College-Simulation-Activity-Civics-433680

Lesson #4: Electoral College Lecture: In this engaging lecture and activity students will be able to discuss the Electoral College and different reform plans suggested. First they will complete a lecture-notes template while reviewing the important details of the history and function of the Electoral College in the creative power point.


Lesson #5: Voting & Voting Behavior Presentation and Reading Activity: This creative product for the secondary civics/U.S. Government classroom includes everything you need to teach about voting and voting behavior. Topics include: history of voting rights, voting amendments, voting requirements, motor voter law, who votes, why do some choose not to vote, how to vote. It also includes a debate activity , "Philosophical Chairs" and a fun review activity, "Who Can Participate".

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Voting-and-Voting-Behavior-Power-Point-Reading-Activity-Civics-2345181

Lesson #6: Democrats v Republicans - What are the Differences? This purchase includes a 5-page reading about the differences between the two major political parties; the Democrats and the Republicans. It reviews the different ideologies in the following issues; the economy, taxes, social issues, foreign policy & national security, entitlements, the environment and government spending. As the students read the handout, they complete a corresponding chart and review questions.

                                                     
Lesson #7: Political Spectrum Quiz: At the end of this activity students will know where they fall on the political spectrum – liberal or conservative. Students will review 15 controversial political issues related to education, fiscal policy, immigration, health care, foreign affairs, etc. After the teacher explains each issue (teacher guide is included) students will choose a number that correlates to either a conservative view or liberal view. At the end of the quiz, students count up their points to determine where they are located on the political spectrum. A wrap-up activity is included where students will watch a film clip: “American Political Spectrum” and have a class discussion about what they learned. In addition, an extra political survey worksheet is included. Students take a political quiz on the internet and then answer a series of questions related to the political spectrum. Both activities are fun and engaging. This activity can be used year after year.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Political-Spectrum-Quiz-Liberal-v-Conservative-CIVICS-716836
    
I hope you find these resources useful! 

Happy Teaching! 

Saturday, October 15, 2016

FREE! Grading Guidelines for the Secondary Teacher

FREE! Grading Guidelines for the Secondary Teacher

Progress reports are due next week and many teachers are beginning to look at their grading policies in their classroom. They often ask, "Are my grading policies fair?' Are they similar to other teachers at my school? Do my grades reflect more about what my students know rather than what my students do?". After many years of struggling with these questions myself, I began to research the best grading strategies. From my research I created this useful document that I am now sharing with you for FREE!

Topics covered:
• Grading Scale
• Formative and Summative Assessment (definitions and recommended grading percentages)
• Components of Quality Assessment
• Homework (Types and Time Allotted for Homework Recommendations)
• Mastery of Standards Over Time
• The Impact of Zero
• Student Involvement in Grading

Information gathered from books by Robert J. Marzano
Click HERE to download now!

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

FREE! Determining the Credibility of Online Sources

Do you get frustrated with your students when you ask them to research something on the internet and they use the first website that pops up? Here is the cure for the madness! Give your students this useful handout, "Determining the Credibility of Online Resources", BEFORE they begin their research. Better research strategies for them, less gray hairs for you! And it's FREE!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Determining-the-Credibility-of-Online-Sources-1498172
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