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Teacher Tips Check out Works4Me Find practical classroom tips from teachers like you on the NEA web site T he free Works4Me weekly e- newsletter brings you practi- cal classroom tips written by teachers, for teachers. Each week you'll receive other teachers' best ideas on classroom management, teaching techniques, curriculum content, peer & student relation- ships and more. The Works4Me Web site contains more than 1,800 tips that have appeared in the newsletter over the last 10+ years. The Works4Me online discussion board will connect you with other educators and give you a place to get answers to your everyday class- room dilemmas and help other edu- cators solve their own problems. For more information, please go to www.nea.org/works4me. Read the most recent Top Tips at nea.org/works4m3 • Drawing Monsters and Writing Details Try this fun activity for the Halloween season that combines drawing and creative writing to teach young students how to write dialogue. • Lesson Plan Copies Para-educators, reading specialists, teacher aids, and anyone else who works along with you in the class- room will appreciate this simple procedure. A little extra time on your part will help others help you and your students. • Musical Motivation Across the Curriculum Mr. Young suggests creative ways elementary school music teachers can help their students excel not only in music class but in other subjects as well. From teaching individual song lyrics to creating entire themed musicals, the whole school gets involved. • Facilitating Respectful Discus- sions Eileen shares a simple idea that will help you better manage large group discussions, especially ones 18 October 2012 DSEA ACTION! that cover controversial issues, and help your students demonstrate respect and active listening. • Bonding with Hard-To-Reach Families Some parents may be reluctant to meet with a teacher, either because they're uncomfortable or disen- gaged from their child's education. Ms. Postman shares four great ways to meet and establish relationships with hard-to-reach families. Bonding with Hard-To- Reach Families - Diane Postman, teacher from Yorktown, Virginia 1.Offer to meet families on neu- tral ground. Some are uncomfort- able coming to school and some don't care for home visits. I have met at McDonald's, the library, even at the park. 2.Invite the family for an activity or event. They may be willing to come in to do something for the child and his class. Grab a few min- utes to chat as you are thanking them for coming. 3.Tell the family that you want their advice. This can level the play- ing field and make them feel val- ued. 4.Ask a family member to share their hobby or job with the class. Chat afterwards. On this web site, you can com- ment as well as see the comments and additional ideas posted by teachers. And you can share your own ideas and lesson plans. www. nea.org/ works4me Here are two more samples - from Diane Postman, a teacher at Achilles Elementary School in Virginia: Me on the Map I recommend the book, Me on the Map. If you haven't used it, this book is great for teaching about maps to kindergartners. To help teach a class about map skills, have every child make five con- tacts. Have students write letters, send emails or make calls to fami- ly friends or relatives that live in other states asking them to send emails to your class. By counting by fives, your students can figure out how many responses they might receive. Their messages could request that the recipients pass the word along in the hopes that others might respond as well. This project covers so many skills such as writing, skip counting, reading, and of course, map skills. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Charlotte Florez, a fifth and sixth grade teacher at Gearhart Elementary School in Bly, Oregon To liven up the end of the day, I bring out the game Mind Trap and select a card to read to the class. The challenge sometimes is so intriguing that I send the class home to ponder the clue overnight. The Mind Trap cards range in challenge levels and all the stu- dents have an opportunity to solve the question. The students enjoy trying to solve the mysteries and I don't feel that the last few minutes before the bell are wasted. There's a section of tips for New Teachers • No Teacher Is an Island • Don't let anyone tell you that experience and advanced degrees don't matter in K through 12 edu- cation. • Closing the Culture Gap • Culturally sensitive teaching may be the most important skill for your future career. • Too Young Dead • We know bullying can have fatal consequences. There can also be legal fallout for educators. • Counting on You • Bullying that targets LGBT stu- dents is on the rise. You can help stop it. • STRESS! • You can't always avoid it, so learn how to counteract it. • I'll Make How Much? • A primer on salary schedules. • What I Didn't Learn in College— And Wish I Had! • Experienced educators on what you should know starting out. • Tips for crafting a memorable portfolio. www.dsea.org