Energize The High School Classroom

There is so much more to teaching today than simply teaching. Prepping for multiple courses, grading papers, duties, coaching, class advising, lack of parental support, limited administrative support, etc. These distractions make it more and more difficult to find the time to sustain a level of creativity in the classroom. Everyone could use a playbook. Something to refer to that provides that specific spark or research that can enhance the classroom experience. This book will provide you with ways to deliver curriculum, not organize it. The best material in the world is often ignored by students because of the method it is delivered. You may even discover that after reading and implementing ideas from this book, you will begin to surprise yourself with additional ideas of your own.

You can abandon rote learning with this middle and high school teaching guide. Encouraging both students and teachers to unlock their creativity, the authors provide guidance in lesson planning and ideas for creating unconventional homework, projects and tests that are cost-free and easy to implement. This book leads teachers away from endorsing competition and teacher-pleasing behavior, and offers ideas for independent thinking that will strengthen students' decision-making, deductive reasoning and emotional intelligence.

"Chock full of great ideas and easy to use! Whether you are a novice teacher or an established pro, there is a great deal of worthwhile information in this book. It′s obvious that the author has spent most of his life in the classroom. The strategies he offers meet the needs of any teacher." —Al Diver, Principal Grosse Pointe South High School, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI Proven ideas to keep all students attentive and motivated while learning! This handy guide is a fun, creative collection of practical strategies that teachers of all grade levels can use to stimulate, invigorate, and re-energize learners whenever they need a "brain break." Each section presents specific activities and engaging techniques to capture and maintain students′ attention. These state-changing activities use movement, games, groups, and adjustments to the classroom environment to help students refocus, be creative, and learn more effectively. The author provides techniques based on brain research to: Keep the learning environment fresh Help students focus on the task at hand Stimulate students′ brains in the middle of a lesson Build a sense of community, teamwork, and rapport in the classroom Classroom Activators illustrates how simple changes can transform the energy level in your classroom, keep students engaged, and improve learning outcomes.

Essential Knowledge for Teachers keeps teachers focused and relevant in today’s changing educational landscape. Short entries present one piece of wisdom, its benefits, and an example of the wisdom in action based on studies, real-world anecdotes, and Dr. Culp’s opinions. Recommendations can be implemented in easy and inexpensive ways. Become a guide, mentor and role model with Words of Wisdom for Teachers.

Expanding on the strategies in The Active Classroom, Nash shares the stories of teachers who have successfully implemented active teaching methods in their classrooms to engage students in learning.

Why do some schools succeed while others struggle? Why do policies and programs often fail to deliver what they promise? In this follow-up to their insightful School Culture Rewired: How to Define, Assess, and Transform It, authors Steve Gruenert and Todd Whitaker offer practical advice and strategies that help you build positive energy to reinvigorate your school's culture and staff. Written as a standalone guide, School Culture Recharged clarifies the difference between culture and climate and zeroes in on key school improvement efforts, including Moving from the culture you have to the culture you want; Using the school's culture to improve teaching, job satisfaction, and morale; Maximizing the intentions of professional learning communities; and Developing organizational habits--rules and rituals--that can contribute to positive change. For education leaders at all levels, this book delivers a compelling message: Understanding and harnessing the transformative power of school culture can propel your school into the kind of place where teachers want to work, administrators can focus on what matters most, and students can thrive.

Run meetings that educators look forward to and leave feeling invigorated. Interactive structures make staff meetings, study groups, and other PD sessions more engaging, meaningful, and productive. Easy to do and to lead, the learning structures in this book have been honed by facilitators in Responsive Classroom workshops. You'll find ideas for large-group brainstorming, small-group problem solving, partner idea exchanges, and much more. Use them to: Introduce new materialDeepen understandingReflect on learning and develop action stepsAssess comprehensionSolve problems collaboratively Includes a guide to help you choose the best structure for the adult learners in your group, practical tips for success, variations to keep things lively, and examples showing each structure in action.

Even the best Sunday school teachers struggle against boredom in their classrooms. This sourcebook of new material helps teachers put their own creativity to work through 77 carefully designed ideas for interesting, enriching programs. Ilustrated throughout.