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Summer Reading:
Books and Websites
For those who like to include professional topics on their summer reading lists, here are a few resources that caught our eye. The books are easily found through your favorite mainstream online bookstores:
The Excellent 11: Qualities Teachers and Parents Use to Motivate, Inspire, and Educate Children, by Ron Clark
The Middle School Survival Guide, by Arlene Erlbach
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey
The Passionate Teacher: A Practical Guide (2nd Edition), by Robert L. Fried
Motivating the Bad Attitude Kids: A Survival Guide for High School and Middle School Teachers, by Terrill Smith
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Top Three Blog Posts |
The First Lady Helps Schools Get Kids Active
- Read the article and post about what your school is doing to fight childhood obesity
"R" is for Recess
- Did you know recess can actually help improve grades and attendance rates? Learn more!
Green is the New Black
- Learn more about why going paperless is so important and share what your school does to go green
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Quotes of the Day |
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“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1655
“It’s spring fever…You don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” – Mark Twain
“Be like a flower and turn your face to the sun.” – Kahlil Gibran
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End of School Year is Nearly Here!
Helpful Summer Info for the Busy Education Pro
Dear School Pro,
I don’t know about you, but I’m wondering where in the world this school year went! I’m also remembering that as a student, I used to feel as if the last few weeks of school just dragged. That’s why this issue of School Pro Quick Tips includes ideas to help you keep your students engaged by giving them opportunities to blow off steam while they’re learning.
This issue also features information on the benefits of classroom spring cleaning, as well as a list of professional books and websites worth checking out over your summer break.
While perusing websites I encourage you to bookmark our all-new School Announcement blog, which features lots of great informative subjects that complement the topics you read here and enhance your skills and knowledge as an educator or administrator. The blog also provides links to detailed information about our School Announcement communications platform, a reliable and cost-effective messaging system that schools and districts can count on.
Your ideas, questions and suggestions are always welcome. You can reach the School Announcement staff by calling (866) 422-7242 or by email at tomm@schoolannouncement.com
Cheers!
Tom MacLane
Hold Their Attention in the Home Stretch
Rather than fight for your students’ attention in the final weeks of the school year, put that restlessness to work by giving them hands-on learning opportunities and information. This website offers activities for all grades, from preschool to high school, on an extensive list of topics.
Here are three examples of their innovative suggestions for first grade students:
• Ladybug Tightrope Racers – An art and math lesson, all in one!
• Beach Bits – Teach kids about aspects of a favorite summertime vacation spot creating crabs or discussing tips for building a better sand castle
• …three, two, one, blast off some of that energy by building pop rockets! This involves a little science, some time outside and a lot of fun!
Tis the Season for Spring Cleaning!
According to a treasure trove of online articles, administrators, teachers and students can all benefit from spring cleaning. Physically, it gives students and teachers a chance to burn off energy while refreshing their surroundings. Mentally, spring cleaning gives adults a chance to reassess goals while giving everyone a chance to enjoy fresh perspectives. Here are a few of the many angles from which this topic has been addressed:
• Spring Cleaning Your Classroom - by Heather Wolpert-Gawron
• Spring Cleaning for Teachers - by Dorit Sasson
• Teacher Spring Cleaning Guide - by E.K. Garcia
• Organized Classroom = Organized Mind - by Beth Lewis
• The Ultimate Organized Classroom
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