Happy New Year from Best Practices Weekly! Start your year off right with some great professional resources.   Continue Reading...

Let's face it, budgets are tight and after an expensive holiday season, there are no shortages of "penniless teachers" across the country. In examining the resolutions of countless teachers this new year, saving money seems to top many lists. While most educators often foot the bill for classroom projects and supplies, a new blog called Penniless Teacher, provides a one-stop-shop for classroom teachers seeking easy funding opportunities via current listings of teacher scholarships and grants, teacher contests, and teacher giveaways.   Continue Reading...

Keeping parents informed has become rather easy in the 21st century. There are all kinds of tools for educators can use. I've personally tried blogs, wikis, and specifically designed web pages, but the bottom line is you just have to find what works best for your parents. My parents are email users. I have told them that the best way to contact me is through email, so they often use that first. It also means it is the quickest way I can get information out to them. My parent communications have become entirely paperless, so the forests can rest at ease. Central to my 21st century parent communication plan are the following:   Continue Reading...

Christmas break is just around the corner and you are no doubt busy with countless parties and errands, all while trying to wrap up loose ends in the classroom. While many teachers see the holiday season as time of relaxation for students, capitalizing on the season's teachable moments can be memorable for both teachers and students alike.   Continue Reading...

The Association of American Educators Foundation (AAEF) would like to extend our congratulations to the winners of the fall 2011 National Scholarships and Grants competition!   Continue Reading...

As young students, everyone remembers bringing their teacher a gift during the holiday season. Everything from tins of holiday cookies to homemade paper weights are given every year from students across the country without fail. This year, however, a law in Alabama is making waves for its harsh penalties for teachers who accept gifts from students over a mere $25, raising questions nationwide about holiday giving and whether accepting gifts as an educator is appropriate.   Continue Reading...

Happy Holidays from Best Practices Weekly! We hope these resources make your December merrier.   Continue Reading...

I decided to request Dr. Robinson's permission to repost his piece on the AAE blog because we all probably know an administrator who wants to get going with technology but who doesn't know where to start. Of course, s/he better get going because some of the items below will probably be out-of-date in no more than a year—that includes Facebook going through three more major facelifts. And don't let any beloved administrator (or teacher for that matter) use that last sentence as an excuse not to start. We all have to start somewhere with technology implementation—for our own professional development and for the benefit of student-centric learning.   Continue Reading...

I experienced my first Virtual Schools Symposium last week in Indianapolis (It snowed). The International Association for K-12 Online Learning, iNACOL, organizes the event every year. What a quality experience! Let me count the ways:   Continue Reading...

Today is Veterans Day, a federal holiday commemorating and honoring the service of American men and women in uniform. In recognition, Congress has mandated that every educational institution receiving federal funds take a day to teach about our country's heroes. If you are planning on discussing the importance of our military with your students, today or in the coming weeks, there are some fantastic resources for reading, sharing and contributing.   Continue Reading...

Thanksgiving time is almost here and no doubt you’re already knee-deep in planning.  Now, I’m fond of hand-turkeys and trust me when I say I appreciate the classroom Thanksgiving feast, but as a social studies educator, I believe there’s more we gain through teaching about the historical significance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Not only do we have a chance to teach our students something about the history of our country, but it’s also a way we can spark an interest in the subject.

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No matter your grade level or subject, mastering the art of conducting a successful question and answer period is critical. Every teacher who's been at it for a while has experienced the joy of when their students are 'on it' and actively engaged with questioning, not just by giving the right answers, but by seeming excited by the fact that they know the right answers. They also know the fear of when they see nothing but blank stares either through lack of knowledge or lack of caring.   Continue Reading...

What if you could see your students' learning outside of the classroom? Perhaps an after school job that is improving reasoning skills; or an online video game which is strengthening the ability to collaborate; or just simply a website that is assisting in the improvement of analytical reading skills. That would be nifty...yes, nifty.   Continue Reading...

Today there is a very happy 14 year-old in school. Last night, she created her own Facebook profile after months (years) of pleading to parents. Her "technology is power" aunt may have had something to do with it. And her Facebook-savvy cousin was more than happy to assist in the birth of an online profile.   Continue Reading...

Here are the four latest Best Practices Weekly editions – don't forget to go to www.bestpracticesweekly.com to sign up for the weekly emails or to see archived editions!   Continue Reading...

Mrs. Sherry Crane, a teacher at Wattsburg Area Elementary in Eerie, Pennsylvania, was one of the many deserving educators to receive a national grant from the AAE Foundation in June. Mrs. Crane teaches 1st grade reading and applied for a grant to add to her classroom library for an independent and partner reading program.   Continue Reading...

Games are such a powerful tool in education, that it often saddens me that they're not used more. Especially as kids get older, we tend to think that we must be earnest and serious in what we teach, and many times games, if played at all, get relegated to review instead of taking their proper place as a way of obtaining information.   Continue Reading...

We are regularly reminded that our students are 21st century learners. We know that we need to be infusing them with 21st century skills. And don't forget that all of this is because the 21st century job market and 21st century technology demand a different kind of worker, a different kind of thinking. But here is a little food for thought: who is teaching these little digital natives? Obviously, we the teachers have a good hand in that education. So how would you rate yourself as a 21st century educator?   Continue Reading...

Teachers, you have so many good ideas for your classroom. Well, here is something that will make those ideas a reality—winning a $500 teacher scholarship or classroom grant. It is worth taking time to apply.

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This Saturday, September 17, is Constitution Day/Citizenship Day, commemorating the September 17, 1787, signing of the U.S. Constitution. In recognition, Congress has mandated that every educational institution receiving federal funds take a day to teach about our country's most important document. Since September 17 falls on a Saturday this year, institutions may celebrate either the preceding or the following week. If you are planning on discussing the constitution with your students, there are some fantastic resources for reading, sharing and contributing.   Continue Reading...