Tag Archives: Helping Students Succeed

Cheat Sheets: Tricks for Teaching Tech Quickly (3 of 4)

Posted on September 5, 2012 by

Below, is the third of four posts highlighting techniques that will help insure that teachers are helping students succeed with their work by teaching them the technology skills they need, but doing it quickly, so that most of the time … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology as Tool For Learning | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Tone of Voice Matters (In Surprising Ways)

Posted on August 19, 2012 by

In one of the schools I worked with a while ago, we were working hard to implement an engaging, project-based curriculum with hard-to-teach students, the hardest in the city. As with many hard-to-teach students, ours could be challenging. But where … Continue reading →

Posted in Inviting Schools | Tagged , , , , ,

Not All Motivators Are Created Equal

Posted on August 3, 2012 by

I continue to get questions from educators about motivating seemingly unmotivated students. The teachers are often frustrated because they are “trying hard” and “working hard,” but with little to no payoff. When I talk more with those teachers, I find … Continue reading →

Posted in Motivation | Tagged , , , ,

Sometimes Humor is the Best Way to Correct Behavior

Posted on August 2, 2012 by

So, one of your hard to teach student has just acted up in class again. Or maybe he isn't acting out, but just won't do the assignment or get into the lesson. What do you do? You've got to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Inviting Schools | Tagged , , , , ,

We Must Do More Than Fill Students’ Vessels

Posted on August 1, 2012 by

I was especially dissatisfied with my own teaching when I started. Early in my teaching career, I was presented with a paradox that continues to shape my interests in education. When I was teaching high school computer application courses, my … Continue reading →

Posted in Food For Thought, Motivation, Teacher Practice | Tagged , , , ,

The Importance of Helping Students Save Face

Posted on July 28, 2012 by

Are your hard to teach and underachieving students friendly and kind? Easy to get along with? Or are they often the students that drive your blood pressure up and tax your patience? If your experience is like mine, I'm guessing … Continue reading →

Posted in Inviting Schools | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Kindling Fires of Curiosity

Posted on July 24, 2012 by

“A mind is a fire to kindled, not a vessel to be filled.” (Plutarch) I am a Mainer who has lived in several homes heated by wood stoves, and have done living history, and have gone camping, so I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Inviting Schools, Motivation | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Student Motivation: What Level of Engagement Are Your Students At?

Posted on June 26, 2012 by

I’ve worked a lot with schools wanting to motivate students, and we have largely focused on the “how.” In this work, I have named the conditions necessary for students to be motivated (as have others, such as here). My list … Continue reading →

Posted in Motivation | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

What’s to Blame for Kids Not Learning?

Posted on June 18, 2012 by

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know I believe all students can learn. You know I think there are “easy to teach” students and “hard to teach” students, but I think they all can learn. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Motivation | Tagged , , ,

What Makes for Good Learning Experiences?

Posted on June 15, 2012 by

The more we try to to help build the talents of every student and help every learner succeed in school, the more we have to be deliberate about creating good learning experiences in our classrooms. I have certainly added to … Continue reading →

Posted in Motivation, Teacher Practice | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment