Susan Hyde's Blog

Posted by Susan Hyde

New Year's Resolutions

Resolutions are a right of passage into each new year. This year, why not make an additional professional resolution to be a better teacher?

Great teachers consistently take opportunities for professional development. They know that professional growth requires continued education, so they take every opportunity to learn more about classroom management and learning styles. Better yet, they take time to personally enjoy the subjects they teach.

As another new year passes, breathe new life into your teaching!

Better Classroom Management

• Tests and Measurements: Do you know how to test what you want to test? What is the purpose of an assessment rubric? If you find yourself placing random grades on student work, it may be time to learn how to develop assessments.
• Do you understand the concept of multiple intelligences? Do you have strategies Heterogeneous classrooms: Do you use differentiation strategies so that all of your students are adequately motivated and challenged?

Understanding Learning Styles

• Do you know how to recognize giftedness through overexcitabilities?
• Do you understand the importance of fine motor skills in the development of handwriting and for overall academic success?
• Do you know how to reach students with multiple learning styles?

Learning More about Teaching Your Subject

• Keep abreast of new books about pedagogy and the subject you teach.
• Keep a library of parenting books to which you can refer anxious parents.
• Attend museum classes or visit potential fieldtrip sites.
• Visit the education section of your local library or bookstore, or rent a movie related to your subject. Are there new ideas that you could add to your class notes?
• Keep the content alive by developing at least one new unit or lesson each semester.

Never stop learning, and you will become a teacher who is truly a professional.

Posted by Susan Hyde

True educators are teaching professionals who continue to learn more about their subjects and the art of pedagogy throughout their careers. Teachers who take serious interest in student learning continue to learn so that they are always at the top of their game.

Professional Development for Better Classroom Management

When Johnny misbehaves in class, do you go beyond the consequence to try to solve the problem? Do you have a "bag of tricks" to help him to make more appropriate choices so that he can continue his learning without distracting his classmates?

Do you know how to differentiate instruction so that your most able learners are challenged even while you remediate for students who needs more help?

Are you doing the same old lessons, or do you add to your class notes and lesson plans each year? What new knowledge do you bring to your subject?

Choose from any number of growth opportunities so that you have a wider array of strategies to help you manage your classroom:

• Read professional guides
• Enroll in continuing education courses
• Attend workshops
• Join a professional organization
• Listen to a motivational speaker
• Listen to books on tape during your morning or afternoon commute
• Organize your good ideas for a presentation at a teaching conference
• Learn the local, state and federal laws that govern your profession

Students want to be inspired. Be a role model for lifelong learning by continuing your own professional education.

Posted by Susan Hyde

Evaluating Students

Grades in any subject should always represent a student's ability or area of weakness. For instance, a science grade should represent a child's knowledge of core objectives in science and a math grade should acknowledge mastery of mathematical skills. Simple, right? Not always.

What of the gifted child who does the bare minimum but still "aces the test"? What of the LD child who can tell you all about a subject but who can't spell any of his science terms? How about that student who can explain mathematical concepts but whose handwriting difficulties or documented dysgraphia causes him to make errors on most of his problems.

Differentiated Instruction

Our standards-based public schools may have government mandated content, but this should not be a hindrance to creative teaching and assessments. In fact, effective differentiation effectively motivates students of all learning styles and ability levels to meet and exceed basic standards.

In order to get the best out of all students, teachers need to master differentiation, or teaching in a way that allows all students to learn and present knowledge in a way that best fits their interest and learning style. In Teaching Beyond the Test, authors Phil Schlemmer, M.Ed. and Dori Schlemmer suggest a project-based approach in which teachers "carefully (develop) projects that focus on key learning expectations, and taking into account the range of learning needs."

A teacher who effectively utilizes classroom differentiation will:

• Introduce new ideas using a variety of classroom, small group and individual activities.
• Use a variety of visual and hands-on learning activities and projects that allow choice while meeting important core standards.
• Use Alternative Assessment activities so to evaluate students using a variety of modalities.
• Take into consideration readiness levels, individual interests and learning styles.

Posted by Susan Hyde

I'm a big believer in teacher-created curriculum. Creative teachers can create brand new curriculum to support classroom goals or adapt tried-and-true curricula and lessons to support individual student or classroom needs.

There is, however, a time and a place for quality packaged curriculum. Discerning teachers should work with department chairs, textbook committees and curriculum specialists in order to find high value published texts and activities that will enhance learning.

With that in mind, I have recently spent a great deal of time researching a variety of educational titles that may be of interest to teachers who are looking for high quality K-12 curriculum:

• Handwriting Without Tears: Jan Z. Olsen's comprehensive curriculum teaches print and cursive handwriting with a step-by-step, multisensory method. Teachers will appreciate the accessibility and sound pedagogy behind this outstanding curriculum.
• Writing Strands:Although intended for homeschool use, David Marks' National Writing Institute curriculum will appeal to any teacher who uses process writing.
• Word Web Vocabulary: Veteran teacher, Elinor Miller's multi-faceted curriculum encourages students to understand word origins and make interdisciplinary vocabulary connections.
• Vocabulary Cartoons:Created by Sam and Bryan Burchers, this very visual vocabulary curriculum uses humor to teach word definitions.
• Engineering is Elementary Units: Educators from Boston's Museum of Science have developed literary-based engineering lessons to inspire budding scientists.
• Minimus Latin: Clever cartooning and associated CD-Rom make this introduction to Latin a winner.

Posted by Susan Hyde

Learning through Play

Children learn best through play, so Christmas is the perfect time to sneak in some educational toys and activities. Santa has never had so many fun choices for smart gifts that support kinesthetic learning.

• Snap Circuits: Elenco Electronics' award-winning Snap Circuit products are a perfect way to introduce a young Thomas Edison to the world of electricity. The kits, geared for kids 8 and up, are available at a variety of price points ($29.95-$119.950, but it well worth it to buy a larger set. The remote control Snap Rover and new Deluxe Snap Rover are particularly irresistable for kinesthetic learners.
• Smart Globe: Oregon Scientific's Smart Globe is a perfect gift for budding cartographers. The talking globe has thirty different activities that can be geared for three different ability levels. Kids can $109.95 retail price.
• Quirkle: Mindware's new game teaches critical thinking to children as young as six. This is the perfect first strategy game, but it is equally fun for older siblings and adults. Players use attributes (shape or color) to link tiles and score points.
• Made for Trade: Retailing at only $25.00, this board game from Talicor teaches American Colonial History, economics and the barter system. Players learn about life in early America while trading common items from the era. This game is great for young historians ages 8 and up.
• K'nex: K'nex is still one of the best made-in-the USA products. K'nex building sets are available for preschool builder as well as for older siblings. The serious builder on your list will love the Complete Amusement Park Combo Park. Retailing at $169.96, this 1100-piece motorized set is pure kinesthetic fun.