Teacher Update: Portrait of a Young Urban Teacher

[Howard Hartman]

Sign Up for this free e-newsletter.
Republishing of Teacher Update e-newsletter and access to articles courtesy of edweek.org

	September 25, 2008
Discussion TOP Mnemonic Tricks We recently noted a blog post by an elementary math teacher in which he told of his success in teaching the inequality sign ('<') by reminding his students that the "alligator always eats the larger number." That got us thinking: Someone should be collecting these things. Can you help us? Do you have a surefire mnemonic trick or cognitive strategy--i.e., memory aide--that you regularly use to help students learn a concept? Are there any that have stuck with you from your own school days? Please share and discuss with your colleagues. Also, are there disadvantages to using such tricks? When are they most appropriate or successful? Join the discussion. Got a topic you want to discuss? Start your own forum discussion. Top Stories TOP Get these and other stories at: www.teachermagazine.org. (Note: Links to AP stories expire in 30 days.) Teacher Sourcebook + Hitting the Books Teacher book groups are gaining traction as a way for educators to reflect on ideas and create change in schools. Teacher Leaders Network + Portrait of a Young Urban Teacher Ariel Sacks discusses the challenges of working in a high-needs urban school and shares her advice for success. Trend Tracker + Getting Sleepy A new study says that lack of sleep is endemic in the teaching profession and that schools may be the worse for it. + Obama School Plan Leaves Merit-Pay Questions Sen. Barack Obama wants to start a new program supporting an innovative-schools fund—but the campaign’s summary of the proposal omits the requirement linking teacher pay with students’ academic growth. (Education Week) + Tutoring Program not Reaching Disadvantaged Students School officials in South Carolina say poor parents are reluctant to enroll their children for the state's free tutoring program because the after-school help is inconvenient or seen as a stigma instead of an opportunity. (AP) + Study: Kids Misplaced in Math A new report shows that requiring 8th graders to take algebra might be doing more harm than good, with watered-down courses being taught to students not ready for the curriculum. (AP) + “Eragon” Author Releases Third Book Christopher Paolini chalks the success of his fantasy series to his family and the rugged Montana landscape where he was raised. (AP) Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook TOP Different Students, Different Approaches The Fall 2008 issue of the Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook is now online! This issue focuses on the fast-growing practice of differentiated instruction--in which teachers work to accommodate and build on students' diverse learning needs. The Sourcebook also includes our exclusive resource directory of professional development products and services, updated and expanded. Search resources in Differentiated Instruction, English/Reading, English-Language Learners, Classroom Management, and more. Featured Blogs TOP Blogboard Teacher's look at what's new and noteworthy in educator blogs. Recently: Education Bailout, Class Participation, Care Culture, and more. New Terrain Is there still time to make great academic gains? Jessica Shyu reminds an anxious new teacher that the school year has only just begun. Eduholic Emmet Rosenfeld pits his students against each other in a game designed to teach them the basics of free-writing. Living in Dialogue A new book arguing that we are wired to connect with people similar to ourselves prompts Anthony Cody to reexamine they way he relates to students. Unwrapping the Gifted As the National Association for Gifted Children’s yearly convention approaches, Tamara Fisher picks her seminars and packs her bags for Florida. A Place at the Table Surprised by the "inflamed" reader responses TLN colleague Laura Reasoner Jones got for her gender gap piece last week, Susan Graham considers the benefits of applying Wait Time in and out of the classroom. The Book Whisperer Fretting over the "hamster-wheel" routine of school life, Donalyn Miller looks for a solution in novels. Career Corner The job hunt presents a balancing act for currently employed teachers, but now’s the time to search for fall 2009 positions.	Advertisement Poll: Hitting the Hay TOP Does being a teacher affect your sleep habits? Add your vote to our online poll. Last week’s results: Should school districts find ways to incorporate gaming into the classroom given the recent research that reveals it can encourage civic engagement? Advertisement View All Top School Jobs + Dean, School of Education, Seattle Pacific University + Senior Director -- Office of English Language Learners, Boston Public Schools + View all top jobs. Advertisement Web Watch TOP Our Web Watch feature is now a daily blog! Get the latest and most provocative education news for teachers. Comments welcome. All Work and No Play A prominent English school is cutting down the amount of homework assigned to students, saying that too much could turn kids off education. Prime Time How to get parents to spend more time with their kids? The Denver school district has a plan. Pensions Pending The financial upheaval surrounding AIG and Lehman Brothers has teachers nervous about the safety of their pensions. Chat Transcript TOP More Time in School Educators discussed whether schools need to extend the school day or school year to give students more time for learning—and what the implications would be for teachers. Read the transcript.
[Education Week] [Teacher Magazine] [Digital Directions] [Research Center] [TopSchoolJobs]
This free e-newsletter is a service of Editorial Projects in Education, Inc., 6935 Arlington Road, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20814. EPE is the publisher of Education Week, Digital Directions, Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook, edweek.org, teachermagazine.org, DigitalDirections.org and TopSchoolJobs.org. Copyright © 2008 Editorial Projects in Education.