Classroom Toolkit Newsletter

Campaign Buttons?: Not on our Campus!

The chancellor of the New York City School System promulgated a memo reminding system staff that political paraphernalia could not be worn at school.

Students (and Teachers) "No-Excuse Zone"

Teachers need to model the "No-Excuse Zone" habit if they expect students to extinguish students' lethargic and excuse-giving behaviors.

Word Walls: a No-Brainer Choice for a Higher-Order Thinking Focus

Word Walls became a fad, and once they became ubiquitous, "faded into the wood work" as far as students' attention was concerned.

Custom Guides™ Free Offer

Take advantage of a month of free, "no-strings-attached" training from Custom Guides. This offer includes online tutorials and the ability to print computer software study sheets.

The "90% Solution"

Teachers complain that they want a 100% solution because they can't leave any child behind (bad pun intended).

They also note that administrators frown on leaving any child (or group of children) in the lurch, and focusing upon only the students that are close to passing the high-stakes test offers a disservice to every other student.

A Prosperous Mindset: When Learning is Like Farming

The "Gloom and Doom Boom" of bad economic news has a "tickle-down effect" upon the positive outlook of teachers.

Why Should Teachers Write and Focus Upon Goals?

Why should teachers write and focus upon goals if they want to become Master Teachers?

Developing Self-Esteem: Targeting Your Students…and Their Teacher

Building self-esteem in children and developing self-esteem for teens, building parents' self-esteem, building self-esteem for the teachers who interact with students and who model mature self-esteem for them…esteem building is a "Team Sport."

"Fail to the Chief": Neither Candidate gets NCLB

After eight years of failed education policy, two candidates vie for the title as "Your Education President for Change."

How to Talk to the IT "Guy or Gal": Pay Exquisite Attention to Detail

Most modern teachers have to talk to the IT Guy or Gal to get equipment repaired, to get software installed or configured, or to get network resources connected.