Light in Dark Times: highlights literature, multi-cultural traditions, cross-curricular springboards thematically based on light. This month’s column features more of an idea-bank than specific instructions for unit. Please, share additional ideas with us, or let us know what you did with the theme! (dhamry@scdsschool.org) Brainstorm as many action verbs for light as students can think… Read more »
Let me tell you about a bad thing I used to be good at. I used to echo, or repeat student responses during lessons and discussions. Here’s an example of a teacher-who shall remain anonymous-engaged in the age-old art of echoing. Teacher: “What are the three things plants need in order to grow?” Student: “Water?”… Read more »
Often times I have heard it said, “There are no heroes today.” All you have to do is turn on the television or read a newspaper to see that crime is up, there is violence in our towns, homes and schools, and immorality seems to be the rule more that the exception. In my life… Read more »
The principals of three schools that saw students die at the hands of other students this last year came together Friday to offer not solutions, but advice for children, parents and society. Interviewed on NBC’s “Today” show, the three warned others that it could happen to anyone and that metal detectors aren’t the answer. What… Read more »
There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered it… Read more »
In my 20 years of Asking High School Seniors “Would you save your dog or a stranger first if both were drowning?”one- third always vote for the dog, one- third always vote for the stranger, and one- third always find the question too difficult. But the second question is even more interesting to me. I… Read more »
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility , they learn to fight. If children live with fear , they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity , they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children live with ridicule , they learn to feel shy. If… Read more »
Responsibility -(One of our Core Values.) Help children learn to be responsible for their own actions. Confidence-Instill in children the feeling that they are able to succeed and meet life’s challenges. Motivation -Work to motivate children to do their best and have a desire to succeed. Caring- Demonstrate to children that it is important to… Read more »
Everyone makes mistakes. We all have to deal with criticism from time to time. For example, teachers will have to correct your mistakes on tests and reports in school. Parents will make suggestions on how to get along with others etc. Being able to accept criticism shows that you are willing to learn from your… Read more »
A new study from the Educational Testing Service finds that minor misbehavior is on the rise in public schools nationally. Moreover, the report, titled “Order in the Classroom,” documents for the first time what experience tells us is obvious: Even minor disruptions damage learning. According to the report, one in five principals is battling with… Read more »
