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Teaching The Whole Child

Teaching Kids How to Get "Unstuck" While Writing (Teaching Tip #106)

Teaching Tip of the Week

Written by Steve Sunday, April 28 2013 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features two effective strategies that help children become “unstuck” while they are writing. The first of these strategies is a familiar one, while the second is less well-known and a bit more novel. Try these ideas in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids About Area ("The Story of Area") (Teaching Tip #105)

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Written by Steve Wednesday, April 03 2013 09:45

In a few months my new book Rock Your Students’ World is scheduled to be released. The book includes over 100 classroom-tested ideas, activities, and strategies that incorporate music, movement, and storytelling to improve student learning. In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features one of the book’s engaging stories, “The Story of Area.” The unique personality of Area (pronounced ah • ree • uh) helps children understand and remember the concept of area. Try sharing this story in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids About Perimeter ("The Story of Peri Meter") (Teaching Tip #104)

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Written by Steve Sunday, March 03 2013 09:45

This coming fall my new book Rock Your Students’ World is scheduled to be released. The book includes over 100 classroom-tested ideas, activities, and strategies that incorporate music, movement, and storytelling to improve student learning. In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features one of the book’s engaging stories, “The Story of Peri Meter.” The unique personality of young Peri Meter helps children understand and remember the concept of perimeter. Try sharing this story in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids Three Different Kinds of Angles (Teaching Tip #103)

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Written by Steve Sunday, February 03 2013 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features hand gestures that help children learn the meaning of three different kinds of angles: right, acute, and obtuse. Accompanying each movement is a clever phrase that further assists students. I learned these gestures and corresponding hand movements from presenter extraordinaire Jean Blaydes several years ago at the Elementary Physical Education Workshop I attend each year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Try these ideas in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids About Cause & Effect (Teaching Tip #102)

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Written by Steve Sunday, January 13 2013 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features a group of students singing “The Cause & Effect Song,” a tune whose lyrics help kids better understand the meaning of this important reading comprehension skill. Try singing this song in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids a Simple Way to Express Their Feelings (Teaching Tip #101)

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Written by Steve Sunday, January 06 2013 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features a simple strategy that children can use to express how they are feeling at any given time. I have used this idea as part of my classroom’s morning routing every day of my teaching career. The strategy is a variation of one described in Jeanne Gibbs’ wonderful book, Tribes. Give this idea a try in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids 3 Ways to Practice Spelling Words (Teaching Tip #100)

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Written by Steve Sunday, December 16 2012 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features three novel strategies that come from Amy Schwed and Janice Melichar-Utter’s terrific book, Brain-Friendly Study Strategies, Grades 2-8. The strategies are designed to help children practice 6-letter, 7-letter, and 8-letter spelling words. Give these ideas a try in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids to Complete Their Homework Independently (Teaching Tip #99)

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Written by Steve Sunday, December 09 2012 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features some ideas that you can use to help kids complete their homework more independently. When children need help with their homework, we don’t want to provide too much assistance because we may rob them of opportunities to think and grow. We also don’t want to provide too little assistance because children may become frustrated and shut down. The key is to find a balance. Give these ideas a try in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids How to Manage Stress (Teaching Tip #98)

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Written by Steve Sunday, December 02 2012 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features an activity I do with my students each fall as part of our “Health Champions” unit. The activity involves 1) brainstorming a variety of ways in which we can relax when we feel worried, nervous, or anxious about something and 2) creating a simple visual to help each child remember the 3-4 strategies that work the best for them. Learning how to manage stress is an important topic, and this activity helps kids effectively address this need. Give these ideas a try in class with your students or at home with your children.

Teaching Kids to Develop Higher Personal Standards (Teaching Tip #97)

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Written by Steve Sunday, November 25 2012 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features a powerful visual designed to encourage children to make what I call “The Choice.” When kids make “The Choice,” they are choosing to dedicate themselves to becoming quality students. The visual shows how making this choice can initiate a virtuous cycle that promises wonderful academic and behavioral results. Give these ideas a try in class with your students or at home with your children. If you would like to receive a jpeg or PDF copy of the visual, simply send me an e-mail requesting one.

Teaching Kids to Develop Great Manners (Teaching Tip #95)

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Written by Steve Sunday, November 11 2012 09:45

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. In my classroom it is very important to me to teach the whole child. Academics, of course, are a top priority, and so are matters of character, health, work habits, and social skills. One of the most important social skills I strive to develop in my students involves using great manners. Specifically, I encourage children to say “please” and “thank you” and to use a positive tone of voice when communicating with others. In this video I share three strategies that you can use to help kids develop great manners. Give these ideas a try in class with your students or at home with your children.