EDUCATION STRATEGY

The process of facilitating successful student portfolios can be broken into four steps: Collection Selection Reflection Connection Collection Although the first step, collection, is straight-forward, it is not always an easy step to facilitate successfully. It simply requires students to collect and store all of their work. Three challenges at this step are common. One, most students and many teachers are not accustomed to documenting and saving all class work. Two, there is seldom an obvious place to put the work as it is collected, particularly when artwork or lab work is involved. And three, it is not always obvious how to generate artifacts from things like field trips, community service projects, jobs, and sports. The key skill in this step is to get students accustomed to collecting and documenting whenever possible.. Selection How one facilitates the second step, selection, depends on the kind of portfolio (process or product oriented) and to what degree a teacher stipul

The four corners teaching strategy can be easily adapted to any grade level and subject. It takes little teacher preparation yet results in motivated, engaged students. The strategy can be designed to take only several minutes of class up to almost an entire session. Memorable and valuable class discussions are often the result of the four corners strategy. Controversial Topics Four corners is a teaching strategy that works well to engage all students in conversations about controversial topics. For example, in a reading class you can ask questions about a character’s actions in a novel. Math students can debate if students should be able to use calculators. For science, students can discuss the use of alternative forms of energy. While in social studies, students can debate the various forms of government. To prepare, write statements in a definitive manner. For example, nuclear energy is a good source of energy. Before class, record the statements on an interactive white board

Using a variety of methods to evaluate your teaching strategies will give you better feedback about how to improve your teaching and the course. In addition, students will appreciate the effort you take to include their ideas in the teaching process and to individualize your classroom approach to a particular group of students. Instructions Preparing and Teaching Evaluate the goals you want to impart and the skills you want students to take away from a particular class session as you are developing your lesson plan. Write the goals for the class period on the board at the start of class. This will help you and the students know what to expect and may help you keep the timing of events under control. Check in with yourself every now and then during the class to see if a particular mode of imparting information is working. If it isn't, make a mental note. If you feel comfortable switching gears, try that. If not, make sure to write down your evaluation of the session after c

Writing is a main component of daily instruction in the primary grades, third through sixth. Teachers should focus on teaching children to write for a specific purpose according to a structured outline. Students will benefit from interactive instruction in which they see the teacher model the correct writing procedures, then guide them in frequent opportunities to practice the concepts they are learning. This method will enable them to become successful, independent writers. Type of Instruction Students in primary grades need to learn the basics of writing. These include structure, style and content. Teachers should emphasize various types of writing such as narrative, descriptive, informative and comparison composition. These formats can be taught in other subject areas. For example, a teacher can demonstrate the method for informative and comparison writing as part of social studies and science classes because of their factual nature. Narrative and descriptive writing can be taug

Solving problems in school can be difficult for children of any age, especially in the areas of math and science. Teaching your child or student some simple problem solving strategies that use logical reasoning techniques can help them learn how to think things through and come up with a plan that will best address the problem. Things You'll Need Paper Pencil Computer Instructions Tell your student or child to try and simplify the problem by stating it in a simplified manner using their own words. Ask the student or your child to tell you what they already know about the problem and what they need to know in order to answer the question. Have them think about and consider what there options are for solving the problem; what do they think is the best option for solving the problem and why? Ask them what materials and tools, if any, they will need to illustrate the results or steps for that solve the problem (protractors, rulers, weights and measures, blocks). Have your

Goal setting provides a path or set of steps on how to accomplish a specific skill, task or dream. Teachers should employ goal setting within the classroom. Setting goals not only helps students, but helps teachers monitor progress and accomplish skills and tasks with students. Teaching goal-setting strategies helps children become more confident, more willing to take responsibility for their actions and better leaders. Identify Goals A goal is the end result or the accomplishment of a specific effort. Teach children the meaning of a goal through examples. True stories depicting people throughout history defeating overwhelming odds to accomplish their goals are good examples to inspire students. Stories about Harriet Tubman, Mother Theresa or Thomas Edison give choice examples of working achieving something despite great odds. Teachers and parents are excellent examples of great role models as well, according the to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Choose

Intervention strategies are employed when a student is falling behind academically or has behavioral issues in class. Teachers employ intervention strategies during the course of the school day to either help redirect behavior, focus attention or to help with school work. Intervention strategies comes in many different forms. Teachers should keep track of the issues facing a student, use appropriate strategies and monitor the outcome of the strategies used. Intervention for Hyperactive Students Some students may have issues with being able to quiet at appropriate times or even staying in their chairs during lesson times. Simple interventions that can be employed for these students are creating cards. Give the student five laminated cards. Each time the student speaks out of turn or gets out of their seat a card must be given to the teacher. Positive feedback must be given when the student keeps all of his or her cards for the day. If the student loses all his or her cards there sho