Improving Teacher Effectiveness: The Power of Focus

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” -Alexander Graham Bell One of the greatest thieves that robs a teacher or home educator of being effective in the classroom or at home is a lack of focus.   You know what I mean. …

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The Principal Thing: Teaching With Wisdom

  “Wisdom is the principal thing;       Therefore get wisdom.       And in all your getting, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7 NKJV)   Let’s face it-whether it’s teaching students in the classroom or raising kids in our home, it can be difficult work.  Each student or child is so unique that the one size fits all formula to…

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Connecting With Your Kids Through Play

“We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw   Do you remember playing when you were a child?  What games did you play?  Who did you play with?  Where did you play?  I can remember growing up in the Bronx, New York loving to go…

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Speaking Life To Our Students

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21, NKJV).”   Have you ever said words out of anger to a student or your child that demeaned or degraded them?  Have you ever given words of encouragement to a child, teenager, or young…

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Teaching New Concepts: "I Do It, We Do It, You Do It" Method

  Teaching our students and children specific concepts can often be difficult and frustrating, especially when the ideas or information is new and unfamiliar to them.  One way to help make the teaching of new academic material easier is through this teaching strategy called the “I Do It, We Do it, You Do It” method. …

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Loving Your Students To Success

I know that as teachers and parents we are supposed to love all of our students and kids, but there are days when demonstrating love to them is  downright difficult.  You ever have those days when you’re just not in the mood and that child or group of students pushes your buttons to the limits? …

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Authentic Teaching-“Be Yourself”

 As teachers and educators, we teach from who we are.  Unlike some professions where you can hide behind a computer screen or a phone, and no one can tell the type of day you may be having.  It’s different as a teacher.  As teachers or home educators we are on stage performing for 6+ hours,…

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Real McCoy Teaching Tip: Improving Classroom Participation Through "Wait" Time

Do you have students in your classroom that never seem to participate?  Have you witnessed a student or child freeze up or shut down when he or she are put on the spot to answer a question?     Whether you are a teacher or a home educator you have probably encountered children who don’t volunteer or participate in…

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"Why" Do You Teach?

 “I never get to really teach anymore.  All I do is read a script out of a teacher’s guide, teach to the test, do paper work and baby sit a bunch of kids that don’t care about their lives?” “If my principal tells me one more time I have to do more to improve my students’…

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Success in the Classroom: Goals Verses Desires

Have you ever worked hard and stayed up late doing your lesson plans? You had all your I’s dotted and your T’s crossed. All your teacher resources (power points, manipulatives, worksheets, etc.) were all lined up and ready to use at a moments notice. Nothing could go wrong as you walked confidently into the classroom…

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