Recorded Reading and Classroom Chat

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1.Healthy Hearts

From Brooke Ross, a transitional first grade teacher at Eagleville Elementary School in Pennsylvania:

"I plan on celebrating Valentine's Day by teaching about heart health. The American Heart Association has a plethora of lessons for all different grade levels. I am asking parents to send in heart healthy treats for Valentine's Day to avoid the abundance of sugar in the room. My students in the past have loved the fruit more than the sugary treats!"
» Comment on This Tip
» More Holiday Tips

2. Podcasting Book Response

From Gwenn Marchesano, a district media specialist at Whitmore Lake High School in Whitmore Lake, Michigan:

"To encourage reading among our high school students, I have collaborated with the Reading Workshop teacher. In place of one book response essay, each student creates a podcast book review. These are posted on the Library Information Center website. Students are writing their own scripts, using a new technology, and sharing their reaction to books with other students. We hope that these podcasts will also encourage more reading."
» Comment on This Tip
» More Technology Tips

3. Special Friday

From Victor M. Vazquez, an English teacher at University High School in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico:

"The last Friday of every month is special because we take the class outside to the basketball court, the school yard, etc. The activities are related to what we have been reading and are usually kinesthetic in nature. Sometimes the activities are very physical, and they always require more space than a regular classroom provides. For example, after reading 'The Miracle Worker,' we played a game using blindfolds to get the feel of living with a vision impairment. A lively discussion followed. I always help plan the activities, but they are usually led by a different small group of students every month. They really look forward to it!"
» Comment on This Tip
» More Teaching Technique Tips

4. Question of the Week: Summer Loss

From the NEA Today writers:

"Summer loss" is the term given to the well-known phenomenon in which some kids forget much of what they've learned over the summer. NEA Today is developing an article about ways to keep all the knowledge you've nurtured into your students from draining out this summer, and maybe even packing in some more. What's your strategy? Contests for most books read? Geek summer camp? Taped subliminal messages while they sleep? Share your best strategies and get featured in Works4Me and perhaps NEA Today."
» Submit Your Tip
» View Replies & Post Your Tip

5. Documenting in PowerPoint

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge:

"Is there an accepted way of documenting information sources in PowerPoint presentations? We stress to our students the importance of crediting sources and not plagiarizing when they do research, but how do we model that in our own PowerPoints?"
» Comment on This Tip
» More Technology Tips

Works4Me Resources

E-mail Newsletter: sign-up to receive free tips weekly

Previous Newsletters: recently published tips

Tips Library: browse hundreds of archived tips

Discussion Board: ask questions and share tips with other teachers