Author: sanjay
Anyone who’s ever spent an afternoon in detention knows the drill: a silent classroom, a packet of work, and a teacher who would probably rather be anywhere else. At Morse High School in Bath, Maine, school counselor and Outing Club advisor Leslie Trundy wondered if there was a better way. What if, instead of sitting at a desk for three hours for detention, students could spend two hours walking through the woods with a trusted adult—still serving a consequence but also getting fresh air, reflection time, and connection? That question led to Morse High School’s detention hikes—a weekly option where…
Debate is one of the best ways to build high school students’ communication and critical thinking skills. High school debate topics can vary from lighthearted fun (Is a hot dog a sandwich?) to downright controversial (Should we abolish the death penalty?), but they all give students a chance to build real-world experience in thinking critically, speaking clearly, and disagreeing with respect. Our wide-ranging list of debate topics for high school students ranges from lighthearted and fun (perfect for new debaters) to complex and ethical (ideal for students with experience). The subjects cover ideas that really appeal to students this age,…
By the time you come home from a day with your classroom kids to an evening with your own little one, your checklist is probably overflowing. Making one more decision for the day? No, thank you. Thankfully, when it comes to premium baby products, you don’t have to put your mind to work—Hello Bello is there to make the choice easy. You spend enough time looking for classroom supplies, and when you add baby supplies, you add a world of options. Hello Bello aims simplify it all for parents and by offering diapers, wipes, training pants, and other essentials that…
Sometimes you just need a good laugh, and your students do too! Whether it’s a chuckle about classrooms, students, supplies, or teachers, these school jokes for kids are the perfect way to give students the giggles. Tip: Try sharing a joke of the day for kids to kick off each class! Jump to: FREE DOWNLOAD School Jokes for Kids Slides Get all the jokes you see here in a Google Slideshow that’s ready to share in your classroom! Just enter your information in the form on this page for immediate access. We Are Teachers Funny School Jokes for Kids Make…
contributed by Kim Lee One of the most pure and deeply inspirational relationships is that of a devoted teacher and a willing student. Almost everyone has a favorite teacher, and those we liked less. What causes us to still cherish these relationships and harbor powerful sentiments of respect and affection (and sometimes a shuddering dislike) for those individuals who were responsible for mentoring us? The answer is quite simple. It’s how the student teacher relationships were developed, nurtured, and given space to evolve. The ability to forge a positive, powerful relationship between a student and teacher may seem like a…
A Basic Framework For Teaching Critical Thinking In School by Terrell Heick In What Does Critical Thinking Mean?, we offered that ‘(c)ritical thinking is the suspension of judgment while identifying biases and underlying assumptions to draw accurate conclusions.’ Of course, there are different definitions of critical thinking. The American Philosophical Association defines it as, “Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. It involves being active (rather than reactive) in your learning process, and it includes open-mindedness, inquisitiveness, and the ability to examine and evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.” But…
Nearly one in five teachers say they definitely won’t or may not return to their classroom jobs next year. If you’re one of the many who’ve decided it’s time to move on, you may wonder what’s next. First up: Schedule a conversation with your principal or supervisor. Then, submit your letter of resignation. Fortunately, that part is easy! Find out what to include in your teacher resignation letter, plus see examples and get free templates you can customize in a flash. Jump to: FREE DOWNLOAD Teacher Resignation Letter Templates Simplify the resignation process with our free, fully editable Google Doc…
These days, it’s become common for educators to be asked what their personal teaching philosophy is. Whether it’s for a job interview, a college class, or to share with your principal, crafting a philosophy of education can seem like a daunting task. So set aside some time to consider your own teaching philosophy (we’ll walk you through it), and be sure to look at philosophy of education examples from others (we’ve got those too!). Jump to: We Are Teachers FREE DOWNLOAD Philosophy of Education Writing Guide Use this free guide to help you craft your own philosophy of education, from…
Every teacher, from the newly licensed to those with years of experience, should have a teaching portfolio. It summarizes your career and achievements in ways that go far beyond a resume. But this valuable tool isn’t just for those who are actively job-searching. Here’s why and how to create and maintain your own teaching portfolio, plus lots of helpful real-life examples for inspiration. Jump to: We Are Teachers FREE DOWNLOAD Teaching Portfolio Editable Templates Fill out the form on this page to grab an editable bundle of free teaching portfolio templates to guide you through the process of creating your…
by Terry Heick My biggest takeaway from college was learning what I didn’t know. So many passionate, crazy-smart people–teachers and students–that modeled learning and curiosity as I hadn’t seen it before. Entire courses on single ideas I wouldn’t have given a second thought without someone pointing it out for me. It was mind-boggling. In high school, my academic interactions were based almost entirely in trying to figure out what the teacher wanted, and then doing my best to give it. There was creativity and curiosity and rigor, but it was almost always obscured by my desire to ‘do well in school,’…