Tag Archives: teaching tips

More Reading Comprehension Instruction

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In one of my latest reading series articles, I began discussing reading comprehension instruction. There are several techniques that teachers and parents can use to strengthen a child’s reading comprehension skills. Some techniques already introduced include self monitoring, graphic organizers, and answering questions. In addition to these three, there are also several more. Creating questions: While some teachers ask students questions, other teachers instruct the children to create their own questions. Sometimes the students will create questions for themselves and sometimes they will create questions for other students to answer. By creating their own questions, students learn to tune in … Continue reading →

Teaching Vocabulary

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In several of my last articles I have focused on different aspects of reading. The topics have gone from phonics to comprehension to fluency and now to vocabulary. My latest article talked about the importance of increasing the vocabulary of your students. In this article I continue to discuss vocabulary. However I begin to examine the methods of teaching vocabulary to students. As most of you recall, the typical method of teaching vocabulary consisted of copying bold words and their definitions from a body of text or from the glossary of a book. These definitions were then to be memorized … Continue reading →

Tips for Teachers: More Ideas for Lunch Choices

In my last Tips for Teachers article, I began offering advice on how teachers can turn over the responsibility of making a lunch choice to the students. I first described how I use a chart type lunch choice system. For upper grades, the choices can be written. In lower grades the teacher can announce the choices or use picture cards. In other classes, I have seen teachers decorate cans (such as coffee cans). Each child has a stick with their name on it. The children place the stick in the can titled with their choice for the day. I have … Continue reading →

Tips for Teachers: Lunch Choices

Earlier I began a new section in education at Families.com. This section is titled Tips for Teachers. In this section I have been offering advice for teachers based on my own experience and the experience of others. I have found throughout the years that the more responsibility the teacher can place on the students the faster and easier tasks can be accomplished. Such tasks that come to mind when I think of handing over some duties to the students include morning routines. Most schools require teachers to collect money, take attendance, and record a lunch count for the day. These … Continue reading →

Tips for Teachers: Managing Student Supplies

In my last Tips for Teachers article, I offered advice on using glue in a kindergarten classroom. In this article, I would like to address the management of student supplies in younger primary classrooms. Throughout most days, students will need crayons, scissors, glue, and a pencil. How the teacher distributes these items can vary from class to class. Some teachers allow the students to keep a box of the items in their desks. However, many primary classrooms are equipped with tables rather than desks. Therefore the challenge becomes even greater. Some teachers make or purchase seat sacks to go on … Continue reading →

Introducing Tips for Teachers

Experience is very valuable when you are a teacher. The college experience can never prepare you for the real classroom setting. No matter how much you have read or researched, there is nothing like trail and error to see which methods and techniques are best for you. During your first year of teaching you will find out that some things work and some do not. You will revisit and revise ideas. Some you will throw out completely and vow never to repeat. Others you will write down and carry out for years to come. Each year of teaching, you will … Continue reading →