The Advantage Press: Free Newsletters
Jan, 2012: The Four C's
Perhaps it's time we set the "3 R's" aside and moved along. After all, it's 2012.
Here's our proposal: "The 4 C's." - Comprehension, Composition, Computation and Character.
This newsletter looks at the importance of Character Education. How to do it and why we should.
Dec, 2011: The Homework Dilemmas
Fox news reported the parents of two school children decided that the homework being given by the school was both too time consuming and irrelevant. They convinced school authorities to agree to a "no homework contract" with their family: in essence, the school will not grade or punish their children for incomplete or undone homework. This is not an isolated incident. What's happening here?
Nov, 2011: A Failure to Communicate
As educators, one of our areas of expertise is "communication." Whether we teach third grade or tenth grade, Spanish or calculus, to teach is to communicate. Our success at communicating will be prominently displayed in our students.
Is this communicating skill something we simply absorbed along the way on our journey from the student's desk to the teacher's desk? Is it something built in to our DNA and character? Or is it something we were specifically taught?
Oct, 2011: Buck
On the surface, Buck is a documentary about a real American cowboy who has an amazing ability to change horses from sometimes wild, angry and un-rideable beasts to kind, gentle and welcoming companions. It didn't take us long to see Buck Brannaman as a teacher and the horses as his students. And his work is stunning. This 88 minute movie might change the way you teach.
Sep, 2011: Testing with Marshmallows
The marshmallow test, conceived almost 40 years ago, has been updated with some fascinating discoveries. This newsletter looks at the importance of self-control and its impact on "competency" and success in later life.
Aug, 2011: Predicting Aggressive Behavior
Anyone who has taught knows the value of anticipating behavior problems. If we had a good prediction tool there are many things we might do to prevent such occurrences. Experience has shown us that even simple changes to the room layout or the lesson plan can make a world of difference when it comes to the whimsical nature of student (mis)behavior. This newsletter looks at some predictors.
July, 2011: Letter to my Sub, circa 2013
With the technological changes that we've witnessed in the past few years, this hypothetical "letter" to a substitute teacher may not be far-fetched. Take a look and see what you think.
June, 2011: Transforming Professional Development
As the school year winds down we are able to look ahead to the less frenetic pace of summer. For many of us that means catching up on our reading. Here's a suggestion: Transforming Professional Development Into Student Results by Douglas B. Reeves. It's an easy read (only 156 pages), but filled with thought-provoking content.
May, 2011: Angry Birds
Angry Birds is played 200 million minutes a day. What would happen if so much time was spent on learning new things? Is there anything teachers could learn from Angry Birds to make their lessons more interesting to students and make learning more fun and rewarding?
April, 2011: Goals: Achievement or Failure?
This newsletter looks at the "golden rules" of goal setting. Some things work, some don't. When we fall short of achieving a goal do we fail? Do our students?
March, 2011: Graffiti: Art or Crime?
To some it's an eyesore and a serious problem. To others it's art. This newsletter looks at how some schools and communities are handling graffiti.
February, 2011: Is Aggression Contagious?
There is evidence from some studies indicating that aggression is socially contagious, and that once you 'catch' aggressive behavior patterns, they can endure, even after the original setting is no longer present. Just what does this mean for teachers and schools?
January, 2011: Frustrated? Confused? Bored?
In any given class, at any given time, how many students might be categorized as frustrated? As confused? As bored? And there lies the seeds for classroom management challenges. Wouldn't it be great if we could quickly identify the frustrated, confused and bored, alleviate their problems and get on with the lesson knowing that all students were "on the same page." Here's an idea. Read on.
December, 2010: Discipline in the digital age
Today's teens are reading, writing, studying and thinking a lot differently than those attending school only a decade ago. Are students today "wired differently" and "less able to sustain attention?" One thing is for certain, this new technology presents a myriad of new challenges for educators.
November, 2010: Hyper-texting
Hyper-texting and hyper-networking may be indicators of much more serious problems. This newsletter looks at a recent study of teens showing a relationship between hyper-texting and risky behavior.
October, 2010: Chess Moves
Students who play the game of chess just might be better behaved. No, not because they're the "nerds" or the "smart kids." Learning and playing chess may encourage students to think ahead. To carefully consider. To reason. To problem-solve. To think about options. In short, learning and playing chess may promote improved student behavior. Really. And some schools, both elementary and secondary, have seen the results.
September, 2010: Respect
Some see Respect as a two way street: "you can't GET until AFTER you Give." This newsletter looks at respect, getting it, earning it, giving it and teaching it. The beginning of the school year is critical in any teacher's endeavor to create an environment that fosters it.
August, 2010: Phone Numbers
Educators, brace yourselves: cell phones are here and they're not going away. Some surprising numbers. And an interesting idea.
July, 2010: The New Communication
A veteran principal laments the resignation of a promising first year teacher. Why? Cell phones and email played a role in his decision. What can we do?
June, 2010: Smart Enough to Lie?
Lying, it appears, is no simple thing. Wikipedia, in fact, has a 5,000-word entry on it. Kang Lee, director of the Institue of Child Study and a professor at the University of Toronto, has made it his life's work. Lying children and lying adults are engaged in two entirely different behaviors and should be dealt with accordingly. Lying, in fact, is a sign of "normal maturation." Read this June Newsletter to learn some fascinating information about liars and lying.
May, 2010: Mindsets and Motivation
Someone once said "praise your children and they will bloom." But is it true? An interesting study, repeated a number of times, shows that praising a student for being "smart" tends to hinder his self-challenges. Praising a student for his "effort" tends to encourage his self-confidence. Read more in this May Newsletter.
April, 2010: It's Just a Mess
Not enough staff? Not enough money? Not enough books? A new website has some answers. Download a last minute lesson for that substitute teacher. Quick projects for students looking for extra credit. Upload and sell some of your best lessons. Answers to some of your biggest headaches may be only a couple clicks away.
March, 2010: More Sugar?
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation reports an incredible 88% decrease in total beverage calories (sugar) shipped to schools between the first half of the 2004-05 school year and the first half of the 2009-10 school year! Is this great news or not? Would you believe there's a study that suggests more sugar might be helpful with decision-making? Read more in this month's newsletter.
February, 2010: Free Time
Free time or "unstructured" time: Does it always spell trouble in the classroom? Results from recent studies may surprise you. But is it worth the risk?
January, 2010: Motivating Students
Is there a teacher who hasn't asked herself at least once "how do I motivate Jack or Sue or, for that matter, the whole class?" Is motivating students an art or is it a skill? Can it be learned perhaps by trial and error, or from a great mentor, or even from a book? This newsletter looks at "Motivating Students Who Don't Care: Successful Techniques for Educators" by Allen Mendler (2009). And a "wiki" that might provide readers with an idea or two.
December, 2009: What a mess!
For some people, organizational skills just don't seem to be a "natural activity." The result is "lost" homework, incomplete projects and poor grades. Since the beginning of time, teachers have tried to "fix" the problem. What we've learned is that there is no one magic solution. But there are some good ideas. This newsletter presents some of them.
November, 2009: Bouncing Chairs
Does exercise help the brain? Does it help students stay focused?
Recent research looks at replacing traditional four-legged chairs with big rubber balls. The small movements required to maintain one's balance appears to help students stay on task and improve their behavior.
October, 2009: doodling
Doodling - daydreaming, creative expression, a precursor to vandalism or a learning enhancement? A fascinating study recently published by Wiley InterScience might create some ripples among learning theorists. "What Does Doodling do," a summary of research done by Jackie Andrade at the School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK, indicates that doodling may increase attention and memory!
September, 2009: LTTIC
What did your students learn during their summer vacation? The answer might surprise you. Probably a lot more than you think!
August, 2009: Contagious Behavior
Can misbehavior be "contagious" behavior? This newseltter looks at some recent research into contagious behavior and the implications for our detention and suspension rooms.
July, 2009: Hugs
Most schools categorize them as a "public display of affection." Many students are dismayed. But what would school be without an interesting controversy? Hugging is in the news again. The Today Show, The New York Times, Fox News as well as dozens of other media outlets have discovered that hugs in school is "news." According to a recent New York Times article, this "new" wave of hugging is simply a social phenomenon: an extension of the "hi" and "high five." But what should schools do about it?
June, 2009: Budget Cuts
Budget cuts. How many times have educators heard that phrase during the past few months? And it's not done. There will be more. How does one make ends meet? Creative educators find ways to make things happen. Schools can benefit from online "deals" just like consumers. This month's newsletter provides some help in finding these deals and perhaps collecting a couple of dollars in the process.
May, 2009: Noncompliance & Defiance
Geogg Colvin has written another book to help educators deal with an increasingly difficult set of problems. His Managing Noncompliance and Defiance in the Classroom: A Road Map for Teachers, Specialists, and Behavior Support Teams is a timely guide to help teachers deal with the frustration of almost daily classroom disruptions.
April, 2009: Smarties
Remember Smarties? The fruit-flavored candy in a roll? Kids are "smoking" the candies by crushing the roll into a powder, pouring the powder onto their tongue and then blowing out "fine Smarty dust" which looks very much like cigarette smoke. Some kids have become so adept at this they can blow "smoke rings" at the cafeteria lunch table. What's a school to do?
March, 2009: Boring
"This is so boring." How many times have we heard that from students in our classrooms? Frequently, the utterance of these words is the precursor to a discipline problem. Some tips on preventing boredom and some thoughts on the relationship between boredom and discipline problems.
February, 2009: "The Class"
This newsletter is a bit different. Here we take a look at a movie that may be of interest to most educators. "The Class" is a French film, nominated for an Oscar, depicting life in a tough middle school literature classroom. The main characters are not actors, but real students and a real teacher.
January, 2009: The Trouble With Boys
Peg Tyre (Newsweek's General Editor) argues that boys are biologically, developmentally and psychologically different from girls - and that teachers need to learn how to work with these differences and bring out the best in boys. Her magazine recently gave her a cover story with "The Boy Crisis" and her recent book on the subject is creating quite a stir.
December, 2008: Getting out the broom
The cover of a recent Time Magazine turned more than a few heads - especially those of educators. Michelle Rhee, the head of Washington, D.C. schools, stands at the front of a classroom firmly clutching a broom. The broom was intended to portray her "sweeping out the deadwood." We suggest a wonderful use for it might come from an old Atlantic Monthly article about "Broken Windows."
November, 2008: wikis
Educators have discovered "wikis" - and so have students. This newsletter provides an introducation to the idea of wikis and summarizes a number of interesting trends. We learn, for example, that the "best day to server a detention is on a Thursday."
October, 2008: It's Everyone's Job
Now that the dust has settled, the desks are in order and your seating charts are as close to "final" as they'll ever be, it's time to make certain the school year is a good one. For the new teacher, that might simply mean, surviving the nine months. For the principal, and the veterans, that might mean making certain the good teachers continue to teach. This newsletter looks at what can be done to minimize teacher turnover.
September, 2008: Looking for a Switch
Although we may not necessarily go as far at Carl Jung when it comes to our students, ("If one does not understand a person, one tends to regard him as a fool.") there can be little doubt that as we better understand our students we better meet their needs and they, in turn, help improve the classroom environment by cooperating with teacher and peers alike. This newsletter looks at a new book by David Riley and Mary Carns to help us along that path.
August, 2008: The First Day
While many individuals in the school building have different concerns about the first day of school, it is the first contact between teacher and student that makes for a great year or sets up hurdles for all to deal with day after day. Even the veteran teacher is on the lookout for good ideas to get the year off right.
July, 2008: $143 per barrel
The oil crisis is going to hit schools this fall. And hit them hard. This newsletter includes some thoughts on the problem as it relates to educators.
June, 2008: What can you see?
The connection between seeing the board and getting good grades is an easy one to understand. But what about the relationship between vision and behavior? Some doctors think visual problems cause frustration and lead to disruptive acting out in class.
May, 2008: Going to the Dogs
Many schools are finding dogs (yes, "man's best friend") can be most helpful in the classroom and with students having difficulty with reading, focusing, studying and even behaving. This newsletter provides some anecdotal evidence of educators' success with dogs.
April, 2008: The Tube Craze
By now we've all heard of YouTube. But have you heard of SchoolTube? Or how about TeacherTube? "Video sharing" has found its' way into the classroom.
March, 2008: Bullies & Bystanders
Barbara Coloroso's book The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School--How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence is unique in the manner in which she focuses on the "bystander" -- the person whose behavior is too often overlooked or excused.
February, 2008: Empathy
Roots of Empathy (ROE), an organization based in Toronto, has created a classroom program that has shown a dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression and violence among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy.
January, 2008: Time for a nap?
More research seems to appear daily detailing the relationship between a good night's sleep and successful learning. Sleep seems to help one remember, especially recently learned skills. Researchers believe sleep helps the brain "reprocess newly learned information" which in turn helps make those memories "stick" in the brain.
December, 2007: Of Dentists & Discipline
A dentist in Wisconsin is losing patients right and left. The exodus began after a small "up close and personal" article about him in the local newspaper reported "in all his life he has never had a cavity."
It would seem that patients were more comfortable with dentists who had personally experienced their pain.
To some extent, the same may be true with educators.
November, 2007: You Won't Remember Me
In 1970 a small book entitled "Letter to a Teacher" was introduced to English-speakers and recently has been published in a new edition by Marvin Hoffman, a veteran teacher and administrator. Mr. Hoffman reminds us that the experiences of disadvantaged Italian schoolboys forty years ago can inspire us still to overcome what some might term "discouragement" by their teacher.
October, 2007: Single-sex Education
"Research shows that some students may learn better in single-sex education environments," according to U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. Read more about this controversial subject in this month's newsletter.
September, 2007: Classroom Management
Robert Tauber's Classroom Management Guide, now in its fourth edition, helps educators take a step back from their profession and observe what is going on in the classroom through the lens of theory and practice. Teachers are more accountable than ever: nowhere is that accountability more visible than in the manner in which they manage their classrooms.
August, 2007: Substitute Teacher Plans
Ideas for subs - and for regular teachers too.
Good plans make good subs. It's something most of us don't want to think about - especially early in the school year - but one day, a teacher is going to be absent. Filling that teaching position for the day will be a substitute teacher, perhaps a veteran, perhaps not.
July, 2007: Just What is Normal?
Meet Jonathan Mooney, author of "The Short Bus." He has become one of the new leaders and champions for not only the LD/ADHD student, but for all students with disabilities. His most recent book is a memoir and, as noted by Kirdus Review, "a heartfelt rebuke to the rigid definitions of normality."
June, 2007: Zero Tolerance?
It appears there is less tolerance for zero tolerance these days. This newsletters looks back to the early days of zero tolerance and attempts to add some insight to the current dilemma.
May, 2007: The Junk Food Loophole
The US Institute of Medicine, charged with the mission of "advisor to the nation to improve health," recently released its report on "Nutritional Standards for Food in Schools." But a different agency, the US Agriculture Department, created a "mandatory standard" that defined junk-food and prohibited the sale of junk foods during the regular school lunch period. Who's in charge here and what does it mean for your school?
April, 2007: Choice and Motivation
Motivating students to achieve can often be a challenge and motivating them to behave can be a significant challenge, especially to newer educators. This newsletter looks at the idea of getting students to motivate themselves.
March, 2007: Praise - What not to say
As educators we have learned (from both sides of the desk) that praise can be made an effective tool for eliciting the most of students. After years of practice, many of us have honed it to a fine art: it stands as a cure for most classroom ills, from bad behavior to poor motivation. Or does it exacerbate those problems?
February, 2007: "Yoga Ed." - What's happening with yoga in the schools?
Some teachers are claiming that modified yoga is changing their students - dramatically and for the better - better focus, better behavior, better test scores and even better fitness scores. This newsletter looks at one program bringing yoga to the schools.
January, 2007: Social and Emotional Learning
The phrase "emotional intelligence" has been around for almost a decade now. It is used in discussions of business administration, comparative religion, philosophy and even athletics. But perhaps it's most important relevance is within the field of education.
December, 2006: Doing Good to Do Well
The recent headlines are not good for educators. A report by the Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce calls for the "overhaul" of the U.S. education system. And yet there is plenty going on in our schools to cheer about.
November, 2006: Family Trips & Truancy
As the November and December holiday seasons begin teachers and principals face the unenviable task of dealing with parents who want to take their children out of school for oftentimes very good reasons. Is it truancy or is it excused absence?
October, 2006: Daily Free Time
Some call it recess, others call it daily free play. Whatever it's called, there is a growing debate about it. If you work with elementary school kids it's an issue that can change the structure of your school day. If you work with high school kids it's an issue you'll be dealing with down the road as both students with and without the "recess experience" enter your first period class.
September, 2006: Nutrition and Academic Success
There is research to show that student behavior both in and out of school can be improved simply by changing the food they eat. This newsletter looks at some effective and inexpensive programs to help schools promote nutrition.
August, 2006: Social Networking Websites
Websites like MySpace and Friendster are becoming the rage among young adults. What does it mean for schools?
July, 2006: The Truth About Boys and Girls
Are American boys in crisis? Here we visit the debate about differences between boys and girls in terms of their academic success, drop-out rates and discipline problems.
June, 2006: School Recess Still Popular But Discrepancies Exist
A recent study by the US Department of Education suggests that reports of the demise of recess may be overblown. According to the report the overwhelming majority of elementary schools still offer recess each day. But do all kids get an equal opportunity?
May, 2006: Childhood Obesity
A recent USA Today article pointed out that a third of U.S. children and teens (about 25 million) are either overweight or are about to become so. This finding sets a new record for childhood obesity. What does this mean for schools and educators?
April, 2006: Peer-Rejection
There is perhaps no more important stress for students in school than that coming from peers. In many cases, the anxiety created from peer pressure is much greater and more significant than that coming from tomorrow's test. What can educators do about this?
March, 2006: Great Expectations
The expectations teachers have for their students and the assumptions they make about their potential have a tangible effect on student achievement. Research "clearly establishes that teacher expectations do play a significant role in determining how well and how much students learn." This newsletters looks at some of the more fascinating research.
February, 2006: Cheating
Students have many new high tech devices to help them write their papers and take their tests. What's an educator to do? Is it "cheating" to use your PDA?
January, 2006: Changing Destructive Behavior
Literally millions of our students are diagnosed with some sort of "conduct disorder." As more educators become concerned about the use of powerful psychiatric drugs to treat these students, there is growing interest in counseling techniques for troubled kids that aim to change destructive behavior. This newsletter looks at some counseling alternatives.
December, 2005: After School Programs
What are your students doing after school? This newsletter looks at some recent facts and provides plenty of resources to help educators create interesting and productive programs.
November, 2005: Girl Bullies
Most of us think of bullies as boys. Girls can be problems too. While some girl bullies do hit or push or otherwise physically intimidate their victims, most girls who bully rely on verbal or emotional tactics to gain advantage over their peers. The effect can be devastating.
October, 2005: Conflict Resolution Programs
Throughout North America, many schools and community groups offer conflict resolution programs for teens. Through these programs, teens are learning about new ways to work through and resolve disputes, reducing the possibility of violence.
September, 2005: Behavior Initiatives Project
A group of Utah schools thinks it has found a way to change the way students behave and, in turn, improve academics, prevent bullying and possibly stave off the kind of violence seen in too many of our schools. Sound too good to be true? Read on.....
August, 2005: Free Workshops
The U.S. Department of Education has created a free program to help teachers improve instruction through on-demand professional development. This newsletter looks at "Supporting Success," an effort to assist teachers through roundtables, workshops, a national Research-to-Practice Summit and electronic teacher updates.
July, 2005: Online Bullies
Many students are using the internet to bully classmates. This type of behavior is disturbing not only to victims but to parents and educators as well. According to a recent article in USA Today, bullying online reflects the latest way technology has changed the social lives of children both at home and in school. We take a look at this type of bullying in our July newsletter.
June, 2005: A Healthy Solution
What if someone told you that your school, with just a simple change in one daily variable, could get the following: (1) Students become better focused in the classroom (2) Students have better attendance records (3)
Fewer behavioral issues occur (4) Staff members have better health and attendance records. Take a look at our June newsletter for an interesting idea.
May, 2005: A GEM of an Idea
The Gateway to Educational Materials (GEM) is a Consortium effort to provide educators with quick and easy access to thousands of educational resources found on various federal, state, university, non-profit, and commercial Internet sites.
April, 2005: Shootings at School
A look at some timely research on school shootings. Looking for answers.
March, 2005: Widespread Attrition by Special Education Teachers
The number of special education teachers who leave their jobs yearly is staggering. The attrition rate for this specialized group of teachers runs between eight percent and ten percent annually. The yearly shortage for special education teachers is estimated at 29,000. Some thoughts on what can be done.
February, 2005: Detentions That Offer Health Benefits
How about an after-school detention program that promotes physical education and fitness? This newsletter highlights an innovative approach to school detentions currently being used at Davidson Middle School. An interesting idea!
January, 2005: Deadly Lessons
This newsletter looks at a timely book for educators: Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence by
Mark H. Moore, Carol V. Petrie, Anthony A. Braga, and Brenda L. McLaughlin, Editors; National Research Council. In this book, experts from a range of disciplines use a variety of perspectives (including criminology, ecology, and developmental psychology) to review the latest research on the causes of youth violence in the nation's schools and communities and on school-based interventions that have prevented or reduced it.
December, 2004: Suspended Students Work on the Web
In some schools, students who are relegated to internal suspension can stay up-to-date with their school lessons while being detained. In fact, students being disciplined can follow along with any lesson being taught. All they have do is log-on to a computer. This new twist to suspensions is being offered to keep students from falling behind in their school work. Read more about it in this newsletter.
November, 2004: The Problem of Truancy
Poor student attendance is a difficult problem to tackle. Students who are not in school are not learning or progressing. Poor attendance taints school report cards and other performance data. As the number of truant students increases, the trouble they cause also increases. This newsletter not only looks at the problem, but also summarizes some success stories.
October, 2004: Motivating the Smart Kids
Should schools permit students to skip grades to keep them intellectually stimulated and motivated to attend school? Our October newsletter looks at some interesting research.
September, 2004: The Behavior Home Page
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Kentucky (SERC) have collaborated on a Web page devoted to student behavior. It is an excellent source for school personnel, parents, and other professionals to gain access to information for working with the behavior problems and challenges displayed by students.
August, 2004: Reading at Risk
A national survey recently released by the National Endowment for the Arts reported that reading among adults is at an all time low. If the adults aren't reading, then what about the kids? This newsletter takes a look at the some of the consequences of this decline.
July, 2004: Some Thoughts on Motivating Students
Nine suggestions for motivating students. Links to additional resources are also provided.
June, 2004: School Uniforms: Where They Are and Why They Work
According to the US Department of Education, a safe and disciplined learning environment is the first requirement of a good school. Young people who are safe and secure, who learn basic values and the essentials of good citizenship, are better students. In response to growing levels of violence in our schools, many parents, teachers, and school officials have come to see school uniforms as one positive and creative way to reduce discipline problems and increase school safety.
May, 2004: Classroom Management Profile
One of the resources made available by the Education Department at the University of Indiana is a device for teachers to ascertain their "classroom management profile." This simple self-scoring test might be an interesting tool for a principal working with a teacher's classroom management skills, or for a teacher working to improve some aspect of handling student behavior problems.
April, 2004: Judging School Discipline
Though only a small percentage of schools will ever experience serious violence, the public's sense is that something has gone very wrong with school discipline. Professor Richard Arum demonstrates in his new book, Judging School Discipline: The Crisis of Moral Authority, how over the past 30 years, the courts and the federal government have hacked away at the power of educators to maintain a safe and civil school environment.
March, 2004: Feeding Better Behavior
School districts across the nation are looking for ways to improve their schools, but they often overlook an important influence on learning - good nutrition. The connection between nutrition and learning is well-established among scientists. This newsletter highlights the amazing turnaround at an alternative school in Appleton Wisconsin.
February, 2004: Intervention Ideas
Read about Jim Wright, a school psychologist from Syracuse, New York. Jim is a trainer and program developer for the School-Based Intervention Team (SBIT) Project for the Syracuse City School District. SBIT is a successful problem-solving model in which teachers work collegially with their peers to develop effective teaching and behavior management strategies for struggling students.
January, 2004: Don't Laugh at Me
"Don't Laugh At Me" is a program designed to help transform schools into more compassionate, safe and respectful environments for children. The project provides free materials designed to build a climate that reduces the emotional and physical cruelty some children inflict upon each other through ridicule, bullying and, in extreme cases, violence.
December, 2003: Time Out
Time out is a widely used discipline measure to correct misbehavior--usually the type that interfers with the learning process. Educators have debated the value of "time out" for years. Read a summary of current thinking on this controversial punishment.
November, 2003: Great Expectations
For almost a century, scientists have documented the power of teacher expectations. Simply revisiting Theory X and Theory Y can improve student performance in any classroom. It even works with rats!
October, 2003: Zero evidence for zero tolerance: Indiana University study finds no support for harsh discipline in schools
Can the use of zero tolerance in school discipline improve student behavior or lead to safer schools? Probably not, concludes a report released by the Indiana Education Policy Center at the Indiana University School of Education. Read on for more about this controversial subject.
September, 2003: Restorative Discipline Makes Sense but has Limitations
Restorative justice is a different way of viewing and responding to misbehavior at school. With restorative justice as a method of student discipline, there is more concern about the restoration of the individual harmed than with the punishment of the offender. Read more in this newsletter.
August, 2003: Appropriate Punishment?
This newsletter poses a question about what makes punishment appropriate. Do we strive for punishments that "fit" misbehaviors? And where does corporal punishment fit into all of this?
July, 2003: Recognizing Mounting Anxiety
More than one in three students (39% of middle schoolers and 36% of high schoolers) say they don't feel safe at school and they may have good reason. There are some economic forces at work here: as the economy gets worse, unemployment rises, along with stress at home. The result may be a dangerous mixture of frustration and anxiety. This newsletter provides suggestions for recognizing student anxiety.
June, 2003: Reasons for Student Misbehavior Require Thoughtful Responses
Many educators believe that students misbehave to achieve self-serving goals. These usually include: getting attention, seeking power, taking revenge and avoiding failure. When we look carefully at the misbehavior we can usually find that the reason lies in one of these four goals. This newsletter provides a starting point for careful examinination of student misbehavior.
May, 2003: Self-esteem and Behavior
Students work hard partly because it helps them do better. But an intervention that encourages them to feel good about themselves regardless of work may remove the reason to work hard -- resulting in poorer performance. If you get to feel good without learning your spelling words, why bother? This newsletter takes a look at this controversy.
April, 2003: Teaching Responsibility
This newsletter examines some techniques for teaching our students to be RESPONSIBLE for their own actions. By guiding students through a series of problem solving steps the teacher can show students how to solve their own problems and make good decisions so that those problems are not repeated.
March, 2003: Corporal Punishment Alive & Well
Use of physical force is occurring despite growing opposition to corporal punishment. The use of corporal punishment is hard to understand since parents face criminal charges when they hit their children, police lose their jobs for beating suspects, and students are suspended or expelled for hitting others. This newsletter examines recent trends in the area of physical punishment of students and suggests some alternatives.
February, 2003: Bully Intervention: The Early Years
Recent research shows that bullying has increased in recent years and become more vicious and cruel. The actions of bullies can result in violence and have disastrous effects. These actions have become even more alarming when we recognize the young age of some of our worst bullies. This newsletter describes some of the recent efforts at curtailing bully behavior.
January, 2003: Teen Dishonesty on the Rise Again: What can be done?
A recent national survey has revealed some alarming findings about the lack of honesty by high school students. According to one study, high schoolers are cheating, lying and stealing more than they did a decade ago. This newsletter takes a look at this trend and suggests some ways to deal with it.
December, 2002: Breakfast And Behavior
For years we have known that students who eat good breakfasts often do better
academically than students who are hungry. But what is the impact of breakfast on
classroom behavior, tardiness and absenteeism? This newsletter presents compelling evidence
about the direct relationship between breakfast and behavior.
November, 2002: Upsurge in Absences from
School
Absenteeism is a growing nationwide problem for students and educators
alike. When a student misses class he misses out on the building blocks necessary
to be a successful student. This newsletter looks at some interesting efforts to
keep students in school.
October, 2002: Teen Suicide: What
Educators Should Know
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of
the U.S. government recently released new data from the National Household Survey
on Drug Abuse showing that there were approximately 3 million youths aged 12 to
17 who thought seriously about suicide or attempted suicide in 2000. This
newsletter provides some statistics and some thoughts regarding the role of the
educator.
September, 2002:Broadening the
Definition of School Violence
School safety has been a top priority in most United States schools for
close to a decade. Schools continue to be places where students turn to guns,
knives, and other instruments of destruction to vent their anger. This newsletter
looks at some proactive procedures to help prevent the next act of school
violence.
August, 2002:Random Drug Testing for Students
Many school teachers and administrators, in the US and abroad, were
surprised with the Supreme Court ruling in June of 2002 approving random drug
tests for many public high school students, ruling that schools' interest in
ridding their campuses of drugs outweighs an individual's right to privacy. This
newsletter looks at the court's ruling along with possible consequences for
educators.
July, 2002: No Child Left Behind
US President George Bush states "when it comes to the education of our
children...failure is not an option." This newsletter recounts US Secretary of
Education Paige's letter to state school superintendents. Basically, it is a call
to action for today's educators to provide "quality education" and "education
that works."
June, 2002: Keeping Kids Off Drugs
If $1 billion in TV advertising can't keep kids off drugs, then what can?
This newsletter looks at some suggestions: Teach coping skills, Focus on one drug
at a time, Don't lecture, and Repeat the message. Suggestions and resources are
provided.
May, 2002: Promoting School
Connectedness
A recent study reports that "a classroom management program that
increased school connectedness and promoted self-discipline found that after one
year, 30%- 100% fewer students were sent to the principal's office for acting out
in class, fighting, or assault." In fact, schools may reap a "huge payoff" by
training teachers more thoroughly in classroom management.
April, 2002: Principal Behaviors Impact School Climate Too
Schools with positive cultures generally have principals who demonstrate
behaviors that impact schools in positive ways. A principal's leadership style
and agenda can keep a school moving forward. This newsletter lists key leadership
characteristics which play an important role in the well being of a school, its
staff and students.
March, 2002: Behavior Modification vs. Reflective Discipline
If classroom discipline is to be more than a stop-gap measure and not
require rigorous training in behavior psychology, educators must attack the
causes of problems as well as their symptoms. When a student does something wrong
it is necessary for him to realize why he misbehaved and what he can do to make
changes. If this thinking process isn't part of the consequence then the problem
hasn't been solved and it is quite likely to reoccur.
February, 2002:
Dealing with the Bully Problem
The "bully problem" is appearing more frequently in the media. Some
newspapers not only place the blame on schools and educators, but also delineate
some questionable solutions. This newsletter speaks to some of these issues and
provides sensible activities for creative and thoughtful educators.
January, 2002: Traditional vs. Progressive
Ways to Discipline Students
Why do some kids keep showing up in the principal's office to serve one
detention or suspension after another? In many schools students are processed
through the discipline system by getting one detention, then another, then more,
and then a suspension, then more suspensions and in some cases an expulsion.
Relying exclusively on punishment as a consequence often results in
increased negative behavior and fast tracking a student through the traditional
discipline process until he or she self-destructs educationally. This newsletter
looks at some options available to educators.
December, 2001: Character Education
The events of September 11th in New York City, Washington DC and
Pennsylvania served as a punctuation mark accentuating the fact that we live in a
violent world. Now, more than ever, it behooves us as educators to be diligent in
our efforts to educate the WHOLE child. Many claim it's no longer enough to
simply teach math and reading and social studies and music, but we must also give
our best effort to teaching "right from wrong."
November, 2001: Is Your Teacher Assistance Team Effective?
Most schools have TAT teams. This newsletter delineates some
thoughts about increasing the effectiveness of your TAT team. Specific ideas are
mentioned and links are provided to other web sites where schools have posted
interesting ideas for the organization and operation of the TAT team.
October, 2001: Violence and the Schools
Almost 15% of students ages 12 through 19 reported experiencing various
forms of victimization at school. This newsletter summarizes some of the facts
regarding violence and stresses the need for educators to work to create a school
environment that is inviting to all children.
September, 2001: Beyond Discipline Tips: Tools for the Classroom
Teacher
An introduction to the Classroom Discipline Toolkit. We
provide information about material that helps high school teachers manage
behavior problems without the need for office intervention. The focus is on
designing punishments that solve problems, not create new ones.
August, 2001: Discipline Tips for the new School
Year
As a new school year gets closer, many
teachers--especially new teachers will be thinking of ways to manage their
classrooms. This newsletter highlights some management tips and provides samples
of both elementary and secondary classroom rules to help get the new year off to
a good start.
July, 2001: School
Safety
Reducing the fear about safety in your school. This
newsletter addresses the need for both a safety plan and a safety audit. Safe
schools require more than good fire-drill procedures. How does yours measure
up?
June, 2001: Bullying is
Becoming More Widespread. What to do?
This Newsletter looks at
the increasing problems associated with bullying. Some creative approaches to
dealing with the problem are examined.
May, 2001: Survey Finds Unsupervised Teens Get Into More
Trouble
This Newsletter highlights a recent YMCA survey
indicating a "catch-22" situation for many schools: sending students home on
suspension places many students in an environment where they often get into more
trouble.
April, 2001: Identifying
Troubled Youth.
This Newsletter summarizes the Early
Warning/Timely Response Guide jointly developed by the U.S. Attorney General's
Office and the U.S. Department of Education.
March, 2001: In School Suspension Program.
This
Newsletter provides an overview for creating and maintaining a successful In
School Suspension Program.
February, 2001: Working With Local Police
This
Newsletter provides advice for working with local police officers on school
discipline problems. Included are some hints as well as a few concerns.
January, 2001: Cheating
This Newsletter summarizes the increasing problem with students and cheating in North
American schools.
December, 2000: Students Exhibiting pre-violent Behavior
This Newsletter discusses how your school's quick response to these
early warning signs may help to prevent pre-violent behaviors from escalating
into violent behavior.
November, 2000: Threatening e-mail
This Newsletter
discusses the problems associated with dangerous or threatening anonymous e-mail
messages sent to school or staff.
