The Teaching Tips Machine

Here’s the last in the series by Marjan Glavac…

How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part V): Winning Strategies
by Marjan Glavac

It’s often been said that students (and teachers) really remember only two days of the school year–the first day and the last day. Here’s a Back To School idea that you can implement the very first week that will also cap off your school year on the very last day. It also has the effect of motivating students all year long by recording moments of the school year on video tape/DVD.

Time Capsule

Purpose: A lot of changes will occur between your first day of school in September (or August) and your last day of school in June. To see some of those changes, we will be making individualized “time capsules.”

Please supply a “time capsule” container (shoe box, plastic container, manila envelope etc.) to hold the following items:

· A headline from this week’s newspaper, radio or TV news.
· An article from the newspaper or from your favorite magazine.
· A list of your favorite things such as: TV shows, movies, recording artists, songs, books, subjects, colors, friends, foods, hobbies, etc.
· A flower or leaf wrapped in plastic wrap.
· An example of your handwriting.
· Your handprint on a piece of paper.
· Your footprint on a piece of paper.
· Your weight.
· A piece of string measuring your height.
· A paragraph (100-150) words describing your class and your teacher.
· A recent photograph.
· A list of 3 goals you want to accomplish by the end of the school year.

Be prepared to present your “Time Capsule” in front of the class for a videotaped presentation! (In addition to the videotaped Time Capsule presentation, I capture special moments on videotape all year long resulting in a video (now it has become a DVD) of about an hour long.)

Just before I “bury” the Time Capsules by putting them away until the last day of school, I write a positive personal note about each student and deposit it into the Time Capsule. I usually start each note with:

“Dear__________,

As I write this note, it is now September 15, 2008. By the time you read this, it will be June 24, 2009…”

The last days of school are sometimes very hectic and unfortunately, students are very excited and not on their best behaviour. When students see the video of themselves and their peers presenting their Time Capsules and when they open their Time Capsules and see the positive personal notes that you wrote about them, it ends the school year on a positive and uplifting note.
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I hope you enjoyed the 5-part How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series put togther by veteran teacher Marjan Glavac.

If you did find the information useful then I know you’re going to love his…

How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom

“Do You Want To Know How To Create Your Ideal Classroom, Motivate Your Students, Maintain Their Attention And Keep Them On Task Without Screaming, Pleading Or Burning Yourself Out?”

“In one word, this course was practical!” B. Carriere, Grade 4/5 Teacher, Ontario

Audio recordings available now!
Click Here To Discover More About How To Thrive And Survive

How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part IV): How To Get Rid Of All Your And Your Students “I Cant’s”
by Marjan Glavac

Although this exercise is geared to students, it’s also for me the teacher. It deals with the topics of attittude and perspective, and overcoming obstacles. It’s a gentle reminder for me to examine my self-talk, my attitudes and perspective when teaching, not just during those good times, but especially during those frustrating times.

(Please note: You should supervise these plans for appropriateness depending on your class, administration and parents.)

The exercise is based on the story “Rest in Peace: The ‘I Can’t’ Funeral” written by teacher Chick Moorman for the first Chicken Soup book. It’s now been updated with a lesson plan, student activities and tips in the book “The Chicken Soup for the Soul in the Classroom Middle School Edition Grades 6-8″available at:

I hand out a piece of paper to students and tell them to write down all the things they “can’t” do. We’ll do this for 10 minutes or so, including me.

I take all the papers and put them into a galvanized pail. We go into the field and we cremate the excuses. I read this as part of our funeral ceremony:

“Boys and girls, please join hands and bow your heads.

“Friends, we gather today to honour the memory of ‘I Can’t’. While he was with us on earth, he touched the lives of everyone, some more than others. His name, unfortunately, has been spoken in every public building-schools, city halls, state capitals and yes even on Capitol Hill.

“We have provided ‘I Can’t’ with a final resting place. He is survived by his brothers and sister ‘I Can’, ‘I Will’, and ‘I’m Going To Do It Right Away.’ They are not as well known as their famous relative and are certainly not as strong and powerful yet. Perhaps some day, with your help, they will make an even bigger mark on the world.

“May ‘I Can’t’ rest in peace and may everyone present pick up their lives and move forward in his absence. Amen.”

Later we go back to class have a wake with cake and ice cream. I have a student draw a tombstone with the date when we buried our “I Can’ts. When students tell me they can’t do something, I point to the poster and remind students that we buried our “I cant’s”. Most days too, I find myself looking at that tombstone poster and reminding myself some of my own “I Can’ts”.
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Stay tuned next week for the final part of the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series where Marjan Glavac gives you a winning strategy that you can use to motivate yourself and your students all year long.

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If you’ve enjoyed the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series so far, then you’ll love…

Marjan Glavac’s How to Make a Difference

To learn how to make a difference in the lives of your students and inspire them to do their best for the rest of their lives with teacher tested techniques you can use immediately in your classroom…make sure to read How to Make a Difference @ www.howtomakeadifference.com

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How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part III): How To Avoid Burnout ~ The Power of Quotes
by Marjan Glavac

When I feel overwhelmed and drained, I find reading quotes energizes me. In 10 seconds or less you can re-energize your mind and stay motivated. It changes my state of mind almost instantly…

Here are some of my favourite quotes:

“Knowledge is like a candle. When you light your candle from mine, my light is not diminished. It is enhanced and a larger room is enlightened as a consequence.”
Thomas Jefferson

“Darkness cannot drive out the darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The first and most important step toward success is the expectation that we can succeed.”
Nelson Boswell

“Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.”
W. C. Fields

“Most ideas about teaching are not new, but not everyone knows the old ideas.”
Euclid, c. 300 BC

“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
Japanese Proverb

“If you don’t know what your passion is, realize that one reason for your existence on earth is to find it.”
Oprah Winfrey

“Everyone has the power for greatness-not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service.”
Dr. Martin Luther King

“If we do not rise to the challenge of our unique capacity to shape our lives, to seek the kinds of growth that we find individually fulfilling, then we can have no security: we will live in a world of sham, in which our selves are determined by the will of others, in which we will be constantly buffeted and increasingly isolated by the changes round us.”
Nena O’Neil

“Our purpose is the very essence of who you are. It’s what we want to be known for and is a part of the underlying motivation and driving force which guides our actions and brings us fulfillment. Our purpose is bigger than we are. Our purpose assists us in making a difference in our jobs, the lives of others, and the condition of everything around us.”
Bob Proctor

“Success demands focus. It is the hallmark of all truly great people. Your ability to get and remain focused or lack thereof is perhaps the key determinant of your success.
Gary Ryan Blair

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
Steve Jobs

“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.”
Dr. James Comer

“I delight in learning so that I can teach.”
Seneca 4 BC - 65 AD
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Stay tuned next week for Part IV of the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching Series where Marjan Glavac shows how you can get rid of all your and your students “I Cant’s”.

******
If you’ve enjoyed the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series so far, then you’ll love…

Marjan Glavac’s How to Make a Difference

To learn how to make a difference in the lives of your students and inspire them to do their best for the rest of their lives with teacher tested techniques you can use immediately in your classroom…make sure to read How to Make a Difference @ www.howtomakeadifference.com

*******

Hope everyone enjoyed Part I of Marjan Glavac’s How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series.

I thought of a few of my own “movies that inspire”…

1. Dangerous Minds
2. Dead Poets Society
3. Remember the Titans

Feel free to send me yours…

Now here’s Part II…
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How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part II): How To Avoid Burnout
by Marjan Glavac

“Hard work, of course is critical. But you have to balance that with time for your family and friends. One-dimensional people are rarely successful over the long haul.” - G. Richard Thoman

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and burned out, putting in long hours without seeming to get ahead, becoming irritable with your students, then there are things that you need to do to take care of yourself:

· Enroll in a fun workshop, seminar or conference or personal, non-teaching interest.

· Change teaching grade assignments in the school.

· Change schools.

· Go into a different teaching role such as resource, administration.

· Take on a new task such as a school or district committee.

· Avoid the negative attitude of your colleagues. Be more positive.

· Cultivate a hobby.

· Take a leave of absence.

· Eat healthier.

· Get exercise.

· Enroll in a yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, aerobic course.

· Take up swimming, jogging, walking, rowing, cycling.

· Get a physical checkup.

· Get enough sleep.

· Use deep breathing, meditation techniques, music to relax.

· Attitude is a choice, choose your attitude.

· Pick your battles: your hill to “die” on.

· Keep things in perspective.

· Have realistic, attainable, and measurable goals.

· Cultivate allies among students, staff, and parents.

· Find friends outside of teaching.

· Go to out-of-town conferences.

· Give Pat On The Backs, and send thank-you notes, cards, and compliments to others. Why not send one to yourself.

· Send yourself some flowers.

· Develop positive self-talk, self-control, and self-confidence.

· Cultivate a sense of humor; laugh and smile more.

· Join a professional reading group.

· Participate in a noon hour walking club.

· Give yourself a gift of time to reflect, relax, and recharge.

· Define what success is for you, not for others.

· Believe in yourself.

· Practice random acts of kindness.

· Read motivational quotes, and stories.

· Collect and mount motivational posters in your classroom.

· Take a vacation, a week-end getaway, or go to a spa retreat.

· Find a significant other who can support you in good times and bad.

· Get involved with your professional teacher groups.

· Learn how to say no–you don’t have to do it all.

· Replace the words can’t, try, and problems with can, will, and challenges.

· Be flexible, or you’ll be permanently bent out of shape.

· Focus on the positive.

· Join a sports league or a charitable volunteer group.

· Get a pet (rabbit, cat, dog…).

· Do your best. Perfection is the enemy of excellence. There is a very wide range of good, acceptable, yet valuable work. “Perfect” teachers are a burden to everyone-even themselves.
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Stay tuned next week for Part III of the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series, where Marjan shows you in 10 seconds or less how you can re-energize your mind and stay motivated!

******
If you’ve enjoyed the How to Stay Motivated in Teaching series so far, then you’ll love…

Marjan Glavac’s How to Make a Difference

To learn how to make a difference in the lives of your students and inspire them to do their best for the rest of their lives with teacher tested techniques you can use immediately in your classroom…make sure to read How to Make a Difference @ www.howtomakeadifference.com

*******

Hi,

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer…well, what’s left of it

As we all know teaching can be a very draining and exhausting profession. It is easy to get “burnt out” which is why 50% of teachers quit within their first 5 years of teaching.

However, there are many little things teachers can do to help themselves avoid burn out and stay motivated.

One of the teaching newsletters I receive (and actually read) is Marjan Glavac’s The Busy Educator. Marjan is a veteran teacher who truly understands what teachers go through day in and day out…

Recently Marjan has published a 5-part series on how to stay motivated in teaching.

With his permission I will be posting this series on my blog over the next few weeks. I hope you find the tips “motivating”

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How To Stay Motivated In Teaching (Part 1): Teacher Movies That Inspire
by Marjan Glavac

For me, one of the first things I do to relax during the summer is to pick up a page turner spy thriller and catch up on some teacher movies that will inspire me for next year.

The Emperor’s Club (2002)

I rarely buy movies after I’ve viewed them.

This movie is the exception.

The Emperor’s Club with Kevin Kline is one of my favorite teacher movies. It showed me that although I can try my best, do all I can for my students, I can’t “fix” them all. There will be failures, especially with students whom I tried to reach, but for whom I was unable to change their behavior. There will be students you can’t stop for whatever reason, from going down the wrong path.

The Emperor’s Club more than any other movie, shows the internal struggles of the classroom teacher.

This movie also shows that for every student you can’t change, there will be hundreds of students where you will make a difference.

Those you will inspire to do their best through all the little things you do with them all year long.

Even though they don’t tell you or acknowledge the impact you have on them, in later years, they will remember and be grateful for the things you did.

Other movies I’ve enjoyed:
Freedom Writers (2007)
Stand and Deliver (1988)
The Ron Clark Story (2006)
The Karate Kid (1984)
Glory Road (2006)
Hoosiers (1986)
Coach Carter (2005)
Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)
Renaissance Man (1994)

To read reviews of these movies and others, check out The Internet Movie Database, the biggest, best, most award-winning movie and TV site on the planet:
http://www.imdb.com/

Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies (FILM)
http://www.youthfilmproject.org/programs.htm
This site features curriculum materials to support a curricula for youth that uses movies to promote literacy, learning and service.
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Marjan Recommends…

How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom

“Do You Want To Know How To Create Your Ideal Classroom, Motivate Your Students, Maintain Their Attention And Keep Them On Task Without Screaming, Pleading Or Burning Yourself Out?”

“In one word, this course was practical!” B. Carriere, Grade 4/5 Teacher, Ontario

Audio recordings available now!
Click Here To Discover More About How To Thrive And Survive

About a month ago I made a couple of posts on the importance of having students evaluate their teachers and how teachers can use this evaluation to make themselves even better teachers.

I also posted a link to the teacher evaluation form that I use. Unfortunately, as I stated in that post, it was not exactly the best quality copy.

Fortunately, Helena Cantrell, a fellow Teaching Tips Machine subscriber, edited the form for me (and you).

I converted it into a .pdf document so everyone can now easily download and print out the form for their own use.

I know it’s a little late since most of us teachers are on summer break, but just download it now and save it for later. Also, remember that the teacher evaluation form does not have to be saved for the end of the school year. I have used it with success half-way through the school year as well.

Here is the link: http://www.TeachingTipsMachine.com/TeacherEvaluationForm.pdf

**Simply left click to open and print or right click to save to your computer.

Enjoy your summer! You deserve it!

Best Wishes,
Adam Waxler
Teaching Tips Machine, LLC

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Don’t get stale this summer…stay fresh and brush up on some the most effective teaching strategies anywhere!

Read eTeach: A Teacher Resource for Learning the Strategies of Master Teachers @ www.TeachingTeacher.com

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Summer is a great time to really separate yourself from the job. Personally, I find teaching to be absolutely exhausting. So when summer comes I take it OFF!

Well….at least the first half of summer.

It is important for me to take the first half of summer completely off…think about it…we don’t get paid much, we don’t get Christmas bonuses, we work after school and on the weekends during the school year, but we do get our summer…that’s my bonus!

However, about half way through the summer my mind and body are ready to start thinking about the upcoming school year. Down here in Florida we are just about half way through.

With that said I came across a timely article in Marjan Glavac’s The Busy Educator Newsletter written by retired school principal Paul Jackson entitled: Invest in your P.D. Portfolio

You can read the article below…

Before you do though…if you don’t know anything about Paul Jackson or Marjan Glavac, let me tell you…these guys know there stuff! Last fall they came out with a teleseminar that was absolutely fantastic. It’s a series of four 90 minute recordings, a 166 page handout and 3 bonus products. If you’ve got a minute to spare right now, visit this page and you’ll get the whole story: http://teaching.telesem.hop.clickbank.net.

Enjoy the article:

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Start Article
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Invest in your P.D. Portfolio
Written by Paul Jackson

Classroom teachers and school administrators NEED to invest in their own Professional Development on a regular on-going basis. Educators have a difficult job that drains them of energy. P.D. helps rejuvenate!

Those outside education often see professional development of educators as a luxury that can easily and justifiably be withheld without affecting student learning. We educators know better!

There are ways that individual teachers and administrators can get regular on-going professional development.

They include:

*Reading professional magazines, books and articles

*Attending workshops, seminars, programs, lectures…

*Creating and/or participating in “discussion groups” of teachers in the school, in the district, on line chat rooms, informal get-togethers with other teachers…

*Involving yourself on committees and task forces

*Working with local, state, provincial, and national educational organizations

*Writing and publishing support materials or units of study for fellow teachers (sharing your expertise and experience)

And you can add to the list. If you truly desire and need P.D., YOU WILL FIND A WAY!

The Internet is a tremendous resource for teachers’ and administrators’ professional development opportunities. You can accomplish almost everything on the previous list using web sites, eZines, blogs, chat rooms, discussion groups, newsletters, programs and other resources (eBooks, books, DVD and CD programs, audio files, video presentations…) to provide yourself with professional development. No need to wait for someone else to provide it.

Choose your own form of professional development. Invest your money to meet your own needs. Take advantage of what the Internet has to offer like the program “How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom” found at http://teaching.telesem.hop.clickbank.net.

To maximize your P.D. activities beyond personalizing them to your needs, keep an accurate and up-to-date record of everything you do. Request certificates or letters of acknowledgement or receipts after you complete your activities. How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom provides a certificate of completion and will, on request, mail a cover letter and certificate to your supervisor for inclusion in your professional portfolio.

Most teachers and administrators have a personnel profile with their school board. Be prepared to be proactive in adding your P.D. to that file. That could include books you have read and magazines you subscribe to. At least once a year you should add to your profile and keep duplicate copies at home. Your reputation as a “professional” among professionals can only be enhanced.

It is a minor inconvenience to have your school secretary or supervisor makes an addition to your file once a year. You may also be surprised at just how much you have done in the year and accumulatively over time. If you are impressed with what you have accomplished others will be too.
Invest now in your personal and professional development.

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Paul Jackson is a retired elementary school teacher and Principal, co-author of How to Thrive and Survive in Your Classroom, and author of many eBooks for educators and entrepreneurs. In particular he has an interest in helping educators produce eBooks that share their expertise with fellow educators. You can contact Paul at http://www.ebooksforeducators.com or http://www.ebookauthoringservices.com .
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End Article
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I couldn’t agree more…take control of your own professional development. Remember, professional development is really your responsibility. Now that my summer is at the half-way point, I know it’s time for me to get back into professional development as well.

Best Wishes,
Adam Waxler

P.S. Remember, to get the whole story about Paul and Marjan’s teleseminar visit: http://teaching.telesem.hop.clickbank.net

Hope everyone’s summer is getting off to a great start!

I just wanted to clear something up that appears to be confusing some people…

I received a phone call from Dave Perry from APL Associates about my ebook eTeach: A Teacher Resource.

You see, several years ago when I first started teaching I was extremely fortunate to be able to attend two workshops with APL Associates. I kid you not when I say that these workshops forever changed the way I teach. I just wouldn’t be the teacher I am today if it hadn’t been for these workshops.

Therefore, it makes sense that my ebook, eTeach: A Teacher Resource was influenced by APL Associates. In fact, one of the first chapters in the book is heavily based on the strategies I learned from APL Associates. I make it very clear in the book who taught me these strategies and provide a link to the APL website. Again, if your school is looking for a workshop for their teachers this is a no-brainer…just simply the best.

However, here’s where the confusion comes into play…

APL Associates has recently come out with their own book called, Teaching: The Book. This is NOT the same book as my eTeach: A Teacher Resource. In fact, you cannot even buy their book unless you attend one of their workshops. That’s right…they don’t sell it anywhere else.

The problem is people are attending the workshop and thinking that they already have “the book” because they have mine. I just want to set the record straight that they are not the same book AND if you are lucky enough to attend one of the APL workshops then it would be silly not to get their book as well.

Hope that clears up any confusion.

And again, if you or your administrators are looking for a great workshop for next school year, send them to: www.aplassociates.com

Enjoy your summer…you deserve it!

Best Wishes,
Adam

******
Don’t get stale this summer…stay fresh and brush up on some the most effective teaching strategies anywhere!

Read eTeach: A Teacher Resource for Learning the Strategies of Master Teachers @ www.TeachingTeacher.com

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A twist on the teacher evaluation…

I hope everyone has tried (or is planning to try) using the teacher evaluation form…it will really open your eyes and can certainly make you a better teacher in the long run.

The other day, I was having a discussion about this with one of my colleagues and she explained something she does which is a little more creative then my boring and impersonal evaluation form.

At the beginning of each school year, for her very first assignment, she has her students write a letter to her. In the letter the students must tell her a little about themselves…likes, dislikes, goals (both personal and specific for the class) etc. This is a great assignment as she is able to truly foster the student-relationship from day one…and, if you know anything about my teaching style, then you know I believe the student-teacher relationship is a critical piece in improving academic achievement and reducing classroom management problems.

Well, at the end of the year, for her very last assignment, she has her students write another letter to her. In this letter the students are writing about the class and about her teaching style…basically, the students are evaluating the teacher in a letter format.

While this approach doesn’t have the anonymity that my teacher evaluation form has, it is certainly a much more personal approach. And, in the end, the teacher can make adjustments to how she teaches based on the comments and feedback of her own students.

Just thought I share that with you…another way (a more creative way) to have students evaluate their teacher.

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Do you need end of the year awards and certificates?

Every student deserves some form of recognition for good attitude, hard work, academic excellence and outstanding performance.

Classroom Awards, Certificates and Passes contains 73 colorful and visually attractive pages that make it possible for teachers of all levels to recognize and reward students, without having to design the pages from scratch.

Last week I mentioned how teachers should have their students evaluate them. Yes, let the students evaluate the teachers…In doing so the teacher gets a real insight to what worked and what didn’t from the perspective of the student. Who better to ask then the ones you’re teaching everyday?

Needless to say, I received many emails asking me if I had a copy of the form I use. The truth is I use an old evaluation form that one of my education professors passed on to me many years ago. I’ve thought about updating a bit, but just never have…

Since I don’t have the original in a word document I decided to scan it into the computer and convert it to a .pdf file so everyone can print it out and use it in their own classroom. Or, at least get an idea of what I use and make one of your own that may better fit your grade level/subject area.
(Sorry about the quality…that’s the best I can do right now…when I make a new one I’ll post here as well.)

I guess I should give credit to Barry Raebeck as he is the professor that originally gave me the form, but I have no idea where he got it from. Just one of those things that’s been passed on from teacher to teacher for a long time now.

If you look at the bottom of the form you’ll see an “additional comments or suggestions” section. This year I really stressed to my students the importance of completing this section and to be as specific as possible. I really ended up with some good tips for expanding/changing some of the projects we did this year.

Here’s the link to the evaluation form:
http://www.teaching-tips-machine.com/teacherevaluation.pdf

**Simply left click to open and print or right click to save to your computer.

Best Wishes,
Adam

******
Do you need end of the year awards and certificates?

Every student deserves some form of recognition for good attitude, hard work, academic excellence and outstanding performance.

Classroom Awards, Certificates and Passes contains 73 colorful and visually attractive pages that make it possible for teachers of all levels to recognize and reward students, without having to design the pages from scratch.