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.

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.

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. The video features a movement-oriented strategy that I use in my classroom to help students improve their reading fluency. I call the strategy “Reading Around the Room.” This activity was inspired by an idea described in Marcia Tate’s terrific book, Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites. I particularly recommend this strategy for children who have the tendency to read through commas, periods, and other end punctuation and, as a result, have difficulty with comprehension. Doing this activity for a few minutes per day over a period of days will make an important difference in children’s ability to read with fluency. Give these ideas a try in class with your students or at home with your children.

In this Teaching Tip I provide a link to a short YouTube video I created. At the beginning of each school year, I make a concerted effort to help students become more organized with their papers, folders, and backpacks. As parents and teachers, sometimes we just assume that kids already know how to organize their materials, and they may not. So, it’s important that we model, practice, and hold children accountable for this aspect of their learning. The video features some ways in which I accomplish this task each fall. Give these ideas a try in class with your students or at home with your children.