| News about teaching and education excellence |  |
- How teachers can help students direct their own learning
 Teachers can foster a classroom culture of "can," defined by ensuring that students are not dependent on teachers and are able to develop their own standards and reasons for learning, educator Terry Heick writes in this blog post. He suggests, among other things, that teachers slowly turn over responsibility to students and draw attention to positive habits developed in the classroom. Edutopia.org/Terry Heick's blog
(11/19)     
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When you walk into a successful math classroom, what should you see, hear, and feel? Math Sense helps teachers self-assess, distills the key components of a good lesson, and offers ideas for improving classroom spaces, discourse, and engagement. Preview the entire book! |
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- School chalkboards get "smart" in Mass. district
The installation of interactive whiteboards to replace traditional chalkboards was part of a rollout of 4,000 new technology devices in Lowell, Mass., public schools this year. MacBooks and iPads also were distributed. Teachers have been adapting to the new technology, in part by meeting weekly to share ideas on how to use the new interactive whiteboards. Educators say already students are more enthusiastic and engaged in the classroom. The Sun (Lowell, Mass.)
(11/19)
- How to help students learn to write through practice
Students must practice writing in short, daily exercises to develop the fluency needed to become better at writing formal, graded papers, says high-school English teacher Mary Tedrow, one of three educators who contributed to this blog post. One writing exercise Tedrow suggests is to lecture for five to nine minutes, have students write notes for that lecture and then have students read it to a class partner. National Board Certified Teacher Tedrow also says students will be less reluctant to write when the subjects are familiar. Education Week Teacher/Classroom Q&A blog
(11/18)
- What can teachers do to stop student cheating?
 There are several steps that educators and parents can take to help curb cheating among students, says Denise Pope, Challenge Success co-founder and a senior lecturer at Stanford University School of Education. In this interview, Pope says that cheating could be reduced if assignments are personalized or in-depth responses are required. She adds that it could decrease if students have favorable impressions of their teachers and identify positively with their schools. The Huffington Post
(11/19)
 | Save 20% on four essential books from Responsive Classroom
We asked teachers, "What is one Responsive Classroom book every elementary teacher should own? Why?" From now through December 14, get all four of the most frequently mentioned for only $73.60. Learn more about these four essential books and save 20%. |
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| Schools Today |  |  |
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- Blend-learning model takes root in Pa. district
Quakertown Community School District in Bucks County, Pa., offers a unique approach to education, in which students can take courses online or in person -- or a combination of the two. Tom Murray, director of technology and cybereducation for the district, writes in this blog post about the obstacles the district faced in implementing the model, which he says offers "complete versatility" for students that is needed in today's schools. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education
(11/19)
| Developing Leaders | | |
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- Teachers aid students, families left needy by Sandy
 Belmar Elementary School's assistant principal, Lisa Hannah, led a group of teachers to check on students who needed assistance after Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey. On one visit, Hannah said the group worked to build a list of what families needed, so they could return with necessary supplies, including water, milk and bread. "When they see us on their front doorstep knocking and they realize it's us and we're here to see if they're OK, their faces lit up," Hannah said. PBS/Newshour
(11/12)
| Policy News | | |
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- Obama faces challenges on education policy
President Barack Obama's second-term education agenda is likely to face several challenges, including the looming "fiscal cliff," which could cut federal education funding by 8.2%, and disagreements with federal lawmakers over issues regarding higher education. While the Department of Education has not commented on its second-term agenda, it also is likely to include a focus on early education. The Washington Post/The Associated Press
(11/19)
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Teacher urges the federal government to stay out of education: The federal government should not be involved in education, educator Matthew Holland writes in this blog post. He points out that federal spending on education has increased while improvement has not been seen in students' achievement. Holland also writes about the U.S. Department of Education's past attempts to address inequity and discrimination in schools. Education Week Teacher/Teaching Ahead: A Roundtable
(11/19)
| NBPTS Update | | |
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edTPA partners with National Board in the effort to improve Teacher Training
Stanford, AACTE and TPAC join the National Board in the development of instructional guidelines for integrating the National Board's repository into college teacher preparation programs. Read more.
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