CLASS ACTION

2009-02-11T20:58:00.001-05:00

Nellie interviews Moira Sutton live re 'Live Your Passion'. Info - www.blogtalkradio.com/igniting-imagination Feb. 12, 10 am EST. Giveaways!

2008-12-11T08:51:00.001-05:00

Nellie Jacobs interviews Sandy Naiman:The Power of Possibilities. 03/11/08. 10-11 am. EST http://ping.fm/b2CtU

2008-12-03T22:12:00.001-05:00

Readying for my live radio interview with Kevin Loberg: Thursday, 10 am. EST on www.blogtalkradio.com/igniting-imagination. Archives, too.

2008-11-26T21:32:00.001-05:00

Thursday, Nov. 27, 10-11 EST on www.blogtalkradio.com/igniting-imagination Nellie Jacobs interviews Wendy Woods, principal Watershed Training Solutions - and Laughter Yoga coach. Episode archives at www.ignitingimagination.com

2008-11-20T08:39:00.001-05:00

Thursday, Nov. 20, 10-11 EST on www.blogtalkradio.com/igniting-imagination Nellie Jacobs interviews Marci Segal, co-founder Creativity and Innovation Week (April 15-21 every year) now celebrated in over 46 countries. Archived at www.ignitingimagination.com

2008-11-13T08:32:00.001-05:00

Interviewing Neil Doctorow at 10 am EST today:www.blogtalkradio.com/Igniting-Imagination Archived/future shows:www.ignitingimagination.com

INDEX TO POSTINGS ON THIS SITE

2008-11-10T07:48:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 'Class Action' - a site for parents, teachers and students to interact.

Just click on any of the titles below to access their posting. Enjoy reading them; share your school stories and feel free to leave your comments.

Click here to contact me personally. For more information about me, click here to visit my website. -Nellie Jacobs

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

2008-03-20T22:46:00.001-04:00

COPYRIGHT NELLIE JACOBS, 2008
"The primary interest of everybody involved in the education of children is to help each child be as successful as possible..." Nellie Jacobs, Grading the Teacher

The beginning of each school year is normally a tense time for everyone involved in education. Students anxiously anticipate a new school, grade, classmates and teachers. Teachers hope their carefully prepared lessons will be challenging to, as well as absorbed by, their pupils. It takes time for both to adjust to each other's expectations - and peculiarities. Parents worry whether their children are starting the year on the right foot, making a good impression on the teacher, and keeping up with the workload.

These times, however, are definitely not normal. Their uncertainties are the reason for this column. Consider the following contentious issues: funding cutbacks, public school closings, reduction of teachers' aides to students with special needs, fewer extra curricular activities, unprecedented retirements of experienced educators, and massive hiring of new graduates.

What does all this mean? If we are parents of school-age children, more than ever we must be diligent about the quality of their education. If we are teachers, we must solicit the involvement and support of our students' parents. If we are students, we must be particularly responsible and communicative in order to get the best education possible.

"CLASS ACTION" is an evolving, interactive forum open to anyone interested in our children's education. Are you a parent, student or educator with school solutions, opinions, experiences and stories you want to share? Please contribute. I invite experts in the field to discuss pressing issues in education. We'd love to hear from each one of you. Humour is welcome.

Parents: If you are having problems, perhaps we can help you find solutions.

Teachers: What are five rules parents or students should follow when dealing with schools or teachers? What are your expectations of your students, parents, yourself?

Students: What makes a good teacher and lesson? What would you like to see improved at your school?

Participate in our discussions; click on the "Post a Comment" button below. If you prefer to communicate with me directly, email nellie@nelliejacobs.com with "Class Action" in the subject line.

-Nellie

"CLASS ACTION" FLYER

2006-10-26T11:53:00.000-04:00

Distribute this Class Action handout to your school community. To read a larger version,
1) Left click when the curser on the flyer
2) In the new window, click again on the small icon that appears in the lower right corner of the flyer

For a full size PDF copy to download and print, email nellie@nelliejacobs.com with the Subject Line: "Please Send Flyer"

RESOURCES

2006-10-03T13:40:00.002-04:00

Help build a list of valuable education resources on this site. Here is a start ..

BOOKS

Grading the Teacher-A Canadian Parent's Guide
by Nellie Jacobs. Penguin Books. 1996 (Available for loan from school and public libraries or for purchase online at http://www.gradingtheteacher.com/)

Teachers With Class...True Stories Of Great Teachers
by Marsha Serling Goldberg and Sonia Feldman. Andrew McMeel Publishing

Why I Teach: Inspirational True Stories from Teachers Who Make a Difference
Prima Publishing. 1999

PROGRAMS

Teacher Appreciation:

http://www.childcarelounge.com

Lists of dozens of ways to ways to acknowledge your teacher for Teacher Appreciation Day/Week; Links to sources for teacher gifts; Sample press releases, proclamations; Teacher Appreciation E-Cards; Fun staff recognition treats; Child care resources; Training (online classes); Consultation; Tools; Networking; Library and literacy; and printables.

ORGANIZATIONS & ASSOCIATIONS

National PTA:

http://www.pta.org/
"...the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the United States. A not-for-profit association of parents, educators, students, and other citizens active in their schools and communities..."

EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES

Free Printable Games for Your Child, Childcare or Preschool Classroom:

http://www.childcarelounge.com/printform/Gamesindex.htm

Free Stuff for Canadian Teachers:

http://www.thecanadianteacher.com/
"...a site where educators can find the latest links to free resources, materials, lesson plans, software, samples and computers"

TeacherNet:

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/usefulsites/
" ...lists hundreds of sites with free information and resources for education professionals."

Teachnet.com:

http://www.teachnet.com/
Lesson plans, ideas and services, contributions from teachers

Education World:

http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr156.shtml

Offers hundreds of practical teacher tips and links to countless resources

Norman Labush’s Links to Learning:

http://www.netrox.net/~labush/tchlinks.html

4Teachers.org:

http://4teachers.org/

Works to help you integrate technology into your classroom by offering FREE online tools and resources

The Teacher’s Guide:

http://www.edhelpernet.com/cgi-bin/ednet.cgi?site=ttgu

Offers resources and top education and teacher sites

A Web Portal for Teachers:

http://teachers.teach-nology.com/index.html

Educator's Reference Desk:

2,000+ lesson plans, 3,000+ links to online education information, and 200+ question archive responses.

http://www.eduref.org/

Educational Organizations:

http://www.learning.ca/schools.html

A to Z Teacher Stuff:

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/

ONLINE ARTICLES

Positive or Negative?
A school's culture is always at work, either helping or hindering adult learning. Here's how to see it, assess it, and change it for the better.
By Kent D. Peterson:

http://www.nsdc.org/library/publications/jsd/peterson233.cfm

Come back soon. Help this list grow. Post them in comments below or e-mail your favourite(s) to nellie@nelliejacobs.com with the subject line "Education Resources".

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES

2006-05-01T16:05:00.000-04:00

Contribute stories to Teacher's Pet, a book-in-progress. Post them to the comments section below or e-mail nellie@nelliejacobs.com with the subject line "Teacher's Pet."

Here are some ideas you might address:

* Describe the very best teacher you ever had.
* Describe a school dilemma you resolved.
* What advice can you give parents, students and teachers about learning and school?
* Describe the funniest school incident that happened to you.
* Describe your most embarrassing school experience.
* Describe your most emotional or touching school experience.

For other ideas, read some previous posts on this blog.

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

2006-04-18T09:43:00.000-04:00

The following was submitted by email:

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?"

Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make?"

"I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence."

"You want to know what I make?"

"I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it

I make them write.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math and perfect their final drafts in English.

I make them understand that if you have the brains, and follow your heart, and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you must pay no attention because they just didn't learn."

Susan paused and then continued. "You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

WHAT'S YOUR 'TEACHER'S PET' STORY?

2006-03-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

Do you have a 'teacher's pet' story you'd like to share? Tell us.

GRADING THE TEACHER

2006-02-22T21:07:00.000-05:00

Grading the Teacher: A Canadian Parent's Guide is available for loan from most public or school libraries close to you.

To purchase a copy of this best-selling book, order online at www.gradingtheteacher.com.

For more information about Nellie, visit www.nelliejacobs.com .To book Nellie as a speaker, e-mail nellie@nelliejacobs.com

FOUNDATION PHILOSOPHY

2006-02-16T22:36:00.000-05:00

COPYRIGHT NELLIE JACOBS, 2005

Nellie Jacobs
Author. Speaker. Consultant.
www.gradingtheteacher.com
www.nelliejacobs.com

"Unfortunately, there are teachers who wield their control thoughtlessly.” Nellie Jacobs, Grading the Teacher

Harry van Bommel, Executive Director of Legacies Inc. (www.legacies.ca) sent in the following: "We home school our children based on their request nearly five years ago. Each year they get to choose whether to continue or to go back to school. One of the foundational philosophies we use is in the following quote:

"On the first day of the new school year, all the teachers in one private school received the following note from their principal.

’Dear Teacher: I am a survivor of a concentration camp. My eyes saw what no man should witness: Gas chambers built by learned engineers. Children poisoned by educated physicians. Infants killed by trained nurses. Women and babies shot and burned by high school and college graduates. So, I am suspicious of education. My request is: Help your students become human. Your efforts must never produce learned monsters, skills psychopaths, educated Eichmanns. Reading, writing, arithmetic are important only if they serve to make our children more humane.’*

“ …I could go on forever as learning is such an integral part of what I do personally, within our family and community and in my work. …I love it when I hear more successes than failures when it comes to learning. School can be such a wonderful place. I loved teaching. … It remains one of the highest callings, I believe.”

What do you think about this 'Dear Teacher' letter? Click on the "Post a Comment" button below. If you prefer to communicate with me directly, e-mail nellie@nelliejacobs.com with "Class Action" in the subject line.

(*Source from Michael Steer reproduced in the TIPS Newsletter Vol. 14, No. 2, Aug. 1994: by the Training Institute of Syracuse, New York, 13244-2280.)

-Nellie

HUMOUR: SCHOOL PRANKS

2006-02-15T07:43:00.000-05:00

COPYRIGHT NELLIE JACOBS, 2005

Nellie Jacobs
Author. Speaker. Consultant.
www.gradingtheteacher.com
www.nelliejacobs.com

"Humour is more than just telling jokes or being corny. It’s being at ease with the students. It’s being able to laugh with them and perhaps sharing stories related to the issues being taught. " Nellie Jacobs, Grading the Teacher

One of the essential ingredients of a great teacher is a sense of humour. It diffuses tense situations, adds a perspective and can provide comfort in topics that may be difficult. Donna Rouzaud submitted the following story sent by a friend in San Francisco. “He’s originally from Nova Scotia but has been living in the US for many years. …He is quite a storyteller and is great at imitating accents, so it was hilarious when he told us in person.”

Donna's friend and his classmates played this prank on their uptight teacher:

“John Marsters was my high school English teacher. He was a mountain of a man, barrel-chested, ramrod straight in stature, but beneath it all a somewhat humorless man.

“If one of his students rose to answer a question and chose to rest one hand on the desk for support, Mr. Marsters would invariably say, 'Now son, that desk has been there for over fifty years. It’s not necessary for you to support it. Please stand up straight.'

“A few of us decided to test his theory. After school, carefully and methodically, we removed every nut, bolt and screw from the desk of one of his better-behaved students (a young lad named Byron), who would never be suspected of any kind of foolishness. The scene was set.

“English was the first class the following day. As Mr. Marsters entered the classroom, our foil rose to his feet to ask stoic Mr. Marsters a question. Mr. Marsters, noticing that Byron was resting one hand on the desk, repeated his favorite refrain, 'Now Byron, that desk has been there for over fifty years. It’s not necessary for you to support it. Please stand up straight.' As Byron complied with Mr. Marsters’ request, he gently pushed the desk sideways, causing the desk to collapse and crash to the floor in a dozen different pieces.

“Stoic John Marsters smiled.”

Have you ever participated in or witnessed a harmless school prank? Tell us your funny school stories. Click on the "Post a Comment" button below. If you prefer to communicate with me directly, email nellie@nelliejacobs.com with "Class Action" in the subject line.

-Nellie

LEGACIES LEFT BY TEACHERS

2006-02-14T11:00:00.000-05:00

COPYRIGHT NELLIE JACOBS, 2005

Nellie Jacobs
Author. Speaker. Consultant.
www.gradingtheteacher.com
www.nelliejacobs.com

"As a teacher, I possess tremendous power … I can humiliate or humour, hurt or heal...." Haim Ginott, teacher, pyschotherapist, writer. Nellie Jacobs, Grading the Teacher

Darr Maqbool submitted several wonderful stories about his best and worst teachers. Through another source, we discovered that Darr is a “mini-celebrity” in Calgary, Alberta: A-Channel weatherman, he was voted “most beloved Calgarian” and “sexiest man.” Interestingly, Darr has fond memories of a childhood teacher who didn’t hesitate to apply corporal punishment to students.

Darr was born in Nairobi, Kenya and schooled under the "British System" where, he says, there wasn’t much room for independent thinking but instead a propensity for cramming and memorizing methodology. Four teachers stand out miles apart from the rest in his high school years. In Nairobi, a math teacher called "Master Hashmee" ("To this day I don't know what his full name is!! - like Hulk Hogan; what's his name??!!"), and Joey D'Souza, an English teacher who now resides in Toronto. Upon moving to Toronto as a student, he had to undertake grade 13 for university preparation and at George S. Henry High School he recalls Ms Killpatrick, a math teacher and Miss Bird, another English teacher:

Master Hashmee
"Master Hashmee": the "scariest" of all teachers.... since corporal punishment was/(still is?) the norm in a colonial school, it wasn't surprising to receive a lightening speed slap from Hashmee during his class if you didn't do his homework or were being mischievous. During his reign over me I was the recipient of one such slap right in front of everybody in the class.

“Once I saw his loafer fly by me and find its target a few desks behind me!! Chalk dusters were common projectiles in his classes. That’s the way it was and it produced results: Hashmee would take labelled "dumb" students and make them shine with distinctions at the end of the year.

“Students lived in "guarded" fear of him and the ONLY way to skip the wrath of Hashmee was to work diligently in his class and do his homework. The homework had to be done and, if you copied someone else's - it didn't take him long to ascertain that - then he would uncoil and you were dead meat!! At least, that was the thought and feeling. Essentially Hashmee was a concerned teacher; wanted the best of you.

"I think he believed and proved that if you acquired good study habits you could do anything especially math. He was a kind man and a religious man. When he gave you a sly smile when he was pleased with what you did, that mere tiny curl of his smile made you think the world of yourself.

"In short, you have just proven to Hashmee that you are in tune with his material and life's going to be okay. I attained that level of "nirvana" with Hashmee about a third of the way of the total time that I had him as a teacher (about 3 yrs) and thereafter life was beautiful. I came out of high school with a distinction in math. From the parents’ side: they all wanted their kids to have Hashmee as a teacher!! He had the ability to put the kids on the right tracks....."

Joey d'Souza
"Joey d'Souza in short has hip!!! He wore Ray Ben shades (with the case strung on his belt) and smoked a pipe; he was/is cool!! His approach was to talk to you if you were off the tracks regarding work/studies, etc. He was also a Scout leader and heavily involved with the East African car rallies He was well versed with his English material and taught you ways to express yourself using the English language. He would talk to you as if you were equal to him, always showed concern if you were troubled and always was there to dish out advice. I’m still in contact with him and his wife Dianne: we hook up in Toronto or Calgary during visits."

Ms Kilpatrick
"Ms Kilpatrick was a prettier and gentler version of Hashmee except the slaps and flying high heels. [She was] an expert in math, so my liking towards her was a continuation of Hashmee's set foundation. She was very good at conveying her material to the class. The other thing I liked about her was the way she carried herself: always dressed well and looking fresh with a smile."

Miss Bird
"The first time I sat in her very, very informal class (post-hippie era in Toronto), I was at a loss: she would take a sentence out of a book (Milton’s Paradise [frkn] Lost!! or Leonard Cohen’s Beautiful Losers), then throw it to the students to discuss, dissect and elaborate. My mind that had been trained in the colonial schools was never asked to do that and I sat in a few of these classes feeling like a dimwit, unable to utter a word. The other students would come up with or hold a discussion of her request and I'd sit back and say to myself, 'How are they able to think that?'

"During this time, Miss Bird would prod me for an answer or explanation and I'd fumble my way through it. After a few weeks of this prodding and fumbling, something happened - like a dam giving way. Thereafter and to this day, you would be hard pressed to shut me up with independent thought and speech!!

"All of these teachers (except Miss Bird) were "cut'n'dry" regarding the material they taught - and damn good at it. Miss Bird appeared "wishy-washy" re her material but I think that was the nature/style of her course and she was instrumental in making me think - and think independently - which was/is extremely rewarding."

DARR
And then, Darr became an instructor himself…

“Oh yes, from the other side ... For some 3 years, I taught aviation meteorology at Mount Royal College (Calgary) to commercial pilots. [My] attitude, as a soccer coach of many years and perhaps [through] Hashmee's influence, was/is that if you don't put out, then get out. [It] was a tough course and taught extremely well as indicated by Transport Canada examiners; [I] was asked by the course chairman once to soften my stance on the failure rate. [I] told him to go fly a kite and have a nice day!! [My] thinking was and still is that if “Joe” goes and plasters himself against the mountains because he didn't want to learn meteorology then I'd say "poor Joe died in an air crash accident," but if Joe was carrying 250 passengers with him and slammed into the mountains, then I'd say "What a shmuck - should have done better in class!"

Let’s hear your stories about best/worst teachers. Click on the "Post a Comment" button below or contact me directly at nellie@nelliejacobs.com.

-Nellie

10 WAYS TO CELEBRATE CREATIVITY & INNOVATION DAY AT SCHOOL

2006-02-13T10:24:00.000-05:00

Visit http://www.creativityday.ca/school_celebrate10.php

TEACHERS: REPERCUSSIONS

2006-02-07T11:14:00.000-05:00

COPYRIGHT NELLIE JACOBS, 2005

Nellie Jacobs
Author. Speaker. Consultant.
www.gradingtheteacher.com
www.nelliejacobs.com

"As a teacher, I possess tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous." Haim Ginott, teacher, pyschotherapist, writer, quoted in Grading the Teacher

Lesley Soden submitted the following story about a devastating experience she had with a teacher; how it affected her well into her adult life; and how she finally overcame the repercussions. We expect that teachers today are more understanding and, therefore, sensitive to the possible ramifications of their actions or words on individual students. Here is what Leslie has to say:

“I had a music teacher in grade 8. I wanted special attention from her (I think I was emotionally needy) and had written her home phone number on the chalk board (which I learned through a private piano teacher). The lady became so incensed with what I'd done that she hauled me out of class, chewed me out and even called my parents. She said I had to learn to respect boundaries (or something along those lines). I was filled with deep shame.

“I carried that image in my mind for over forty years until I realized that I needed to heal it. Had I been the teacher, I'd like to think I would have quietly taken the student aside and said, "Seems to me you need a little extra attention" and then made a point to focus on her. I have visualized this kinder version of the story countless times over the past year ...and I believe that it's undoing the damage that the early experience had on me and my feelings of being not good enough. “

Do you have a memory of an unpleasant experience with a teacher that you ultimately resolved? Tell us your story. Click on the "Post a Comment" button below. To contact me directly, e-mail nellie@nelliejacobs.com.

-Nellie

SCHOOL ANSWERING MACHINE

2006-01-31T08:08:00.000-05:00

RECEIVED BY E-MAIL

The following message is a rumor circulating cyberspace. The actual incident from which the rumor arises raises real issues about attitude and responsibility in children's education. You can read more information at: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/p/pacificpalisadeshigh.htm

- Nellie

Here's how the story goes:

This is the message a high school voted unanimously to record on their school telephone answering machine. This came about because they implemented a policy requiring students and parents to be responsible for their children's absences and missing homework. The school and teachers are being sued by parents who want their grades changed to passing grades though those children were absent 15-30 times during the semester and did not complete enough school work to pass their classes.

This is the actual answering machine message for the school:

"Hello! You have reached the automatic answering service of your school. In order to assist you in connecting to the right staff person, please listen to all your options before making a selection.

To lie about why your child is absent - Press 1

To make excuses for why your child did not do his work - Press 2

To complain about what we do - Press 3

To swear at staff members - Press 4

To ask why you didn't get information that was already enclosed in your newsletter and several flyers mailed to you - Press 5

If you want us to raise your child - Press 6

If you want to reach out and touch, slap or hit someone - Press 7

To request another teacher for the third time this year - Press 8

To complain about bus transportation - Press 9

To complain about school lunches - Press 0

If you realize this is the real world and your child must be accountable and responsible for his/her own behavior, class work, homework, and that it's not the teacher's fault for your child's lack of effort ... hang up and have a nice day!"

TEACHER'S PET

2006-01-28T20:05:00.000-05:00

NELLIE JACOBS
Author. Speaker. Consultant.
www.gradingtheteacher.comwww.nelliejacobs.com

"Teachers who are '''Favourers' fancy certain students to the exclusion of the others. Often it's the bright kids, the high-achievers and self-motivators, who shine in the class and are chosen as 'pets.'" Grading the Teacher (Penguin Books Canada) by Nellie Jacobs

Do you have a true story about "teacher's pets"? Tell us about it.

-Nellie

ACKNOWLEDGING GREAT TEACHERS

2006-01-23T19:54:00.000-05:00

We may be quick to complain about something happening in the classroom. However, how often do we let our teachers know how appreciative we are? As an example .

Read the rest of this column: click on ACKNOWLEDGING GREAT TEACHERS-Part 2 on http://classroominteraction.blogspot.com/2005/10/acknowledging-great-teachers-part-2.html

COMMUNICATION

2006-01-21T21:30:00.000-05:00

COPYRIGHT NELLIE JACOBS, 2005

Nellie Jacobs
Author. Speaker. Consultant.
www.gradingtheteacher.com
www.nelliejacobs.com

"CLASS ACTION" is an evolving, interactive forum open to anyone interested in our children's education. Are you a parent or educator with school solutions, opinions, experiences and stories you want to share? Contribute. Send in your questions, comments, and experiences. We'd love to hear from you. Humour is welcome. Participate in our discussions; click on the "Comment" button below each posting.

Here are some ideas you might address:

Describe your best teacher.
What was the worst experience you had in school and resolved?
What advice can you give parents, students and teachers?
What was the funniest incident that happened to you at school?
What was the most embarassing school incident you would like to share?
What was the most emotional or touching school experience you had?
Teachers: how do you maintain your excitement about teaching?

Here's a link to a great school site that communicates with the students and parents:
http://www.cvschools.org/tech/teachers/MWeigel/summer_letter.htm

- Nellie

This blog is regularly updated . If you would like to receive notification about “Nellie's Club NEWS” for what's new with my books, keynotes, and other projects, simply click here.

A PARENT'S LETTER TO THE TEACHER #1:

2006-01-21T09:16:00.000-05:00

Dear Teacher,

If you say you'll be there, be there.
If you say you'll help, help.
If you encourage questions, listen.
If you are asked questions, answer.
If you ask for the truth, believe it.
If you want respect, give it.

FOR PERMISSION TO REPRINT THIS 'LETTER TO THE TEACHER', E-MAIL nellie@nelliejacobs.com.

A PARENT'S LETTER TO THE TEACHER #2:

2006-01-21T09:13:00.000-05:00

Dear Teacher,

Please help me. I've been working hard to instil in my children particular values and ethics I consider extremely important to their future roles as citizens - possibly leaders - of this country. Please help me to reinforce these values.

Please:

1. Don't use sarcasm. It only serves to belittle - and it undermines self-confidence.

2. Don't deride students in public or in private. If you do, you are abusing your position of trust while placing them in a frustratingly powerless position.

3. Don't reveal your dislike of the subject you are teaching. Students are helpless to do anything about it. They will wonder about the quality of your teaching - and so will I.

4. Don't drink alcohol, smoke or promote illegal drugs in the presence of your students. I would expect you, who are in a position of authority, not influence my children in that direction.

5. Don't swear at or within hearing range of students. It is our responsibility to teach them to express themselves with an acceptable vocabulary, as well as to vent their anger and frustration in an appropriate manner.

Please:

1. Do teach students to respect themselves and others by treating them with respect.

2. Do listen to students' questions. Let them know no question is stupid.

3. Do answer students with patience. They truly want to understand.

4. Do encourage students to participate and to express themselves. Reward them for a job well done.

5. Do allow adequate time for assimilation of information, discussion, debate and questions. Students will feel good about their increasing knowledge.

6. Since not everything is learned by absolutely everyone immediately or at the same time, offer a different approach or style of teaching that might be more successful.

7. Connect the relevancy of what you are teaching to the world around your students.

8. Be prepared. Be organized. These are essential skills for success that students will hopefully emulate.

9. Be prompt. Return students' graded work quickly. Promptness indicates a well-organized individual who is respectful of others.

10. Give students your full attention so they know you consider each of them important.

FOR PERMISSION TO REPRINT THIS 'LETTER TO THE TEACHER', E-MAIL nellie@nelliejacobs.com.

VISIT MY OTHER BLOGS

2006-01-19T08:24:00.000-05:00

Visit my other blogs:

Nellie's Club NEWS posts my upcoming presentations, activities and projects as well as ways you can become involved: http://www.nelliesclubnews.blogspot.com/

To read heartwarming, inspiring stories sent by 'extra'ordinary people worldwide who reveal how creativity figures in their lives, visit www.creativity-bites.blogspot.com.

For information about my newest book, Magical MousePainting and to see samples of my work as well as art by readers and participants of my workshops: http://www.magicalmousepainting.blogspot.com/

Any questions, comments or suggestions? E-mail me at nellie@nelliejacobs.com.
-Nellie

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS:THE CHALLENGE

2006-01-17T07:58:00.000-05:00

COPYRIGHT NELLIE JACOBS, 2005

Nellie Jacobs
Author. Speaker. Consultant.
www.gradingtheteacher.com
www.nelliejacobs.com

"In spite of what many students think, they can make a difference. They can teach teachers. ..." Nellie Jacobs, Grading the Teacher

When my wise, nine year old neighbour Amy came home with a list of complaints about her Grade Four long-term substitute teacher, her parents listened and asked her if she wanted them to speak with the principal. “No,” she said, “I want to do this myself.” She was concerned their interference would have a negative impact on her and her classmates. Rather, she chose to role play with her family different approaches. When she was comfortable with her script, Amy made an appointment with the teacher. She told her the impact of the teacher’s behaviour and words and asked the teacher to approach her class differently. The teacher listened and followed Amy’s advice with successful results.

When it comes to supply teachers, often students are not as solution-oriented or patient as Amy. Especially when they work as a group to cause chaos, students can be exceptionally challenging for substitute teachers. Elizabeth Huggins describes a prank her high school classmates played on one they didn’t care for. The incident had a profound effect on the poor supply teacher:

“Our substitute Grade 10 French teacher was a nervous, jittery type so we were always trying to put him over the edge. Scott who was always in the midst of the action tried to make the teacher ask him questions by talking or staring out the window not paying attention to class. This escalated until one morning after a huge snowfall we decided to do the teacher in. Before school started a bunch of us piled snow as high as we could under the first floor French class window and proceeded to French class for second period. Half way into the class, Scott did his talking bit and staring out the window bit and the teacher started asking him questions. Finally, Scott stood up and said "You are always picking on me and I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" With that he went to the windowsill, jumped on it and jumped out the window. On cue we all rushed to the window and starting shrieking so the teacher couldn't see Scott's landing.

As the teacher ran out of the classroom to get the Principal, Scott ran into the school brushed all of the snow off and returned to his seat. When the teacher and the Principal returned we were all in our seats just like angels and when asked, we said "what are you talking about?"

The teacher resigned that day.”

Everybody has a substitute teacher story to tell. What is yours? Click on the "Post a Comment" button below. If you prefer to communicate with me directly, e-mail nellie@nelliejacobs.com with "Class Action" in the subject line.

-Nellie

ACKNOWLEDGING GREAT TEACHERS-Part 2

2006-01-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

COPYRIGHT NELLIE JACOBS, 2005
Nellie Jacobs
Author. Speaker. Consultant.
www.gradingtheteacher.com
www.nelliejacobs.com

"The teacher can help the student mature, not just by passing on knowledge and skills, but also by encouraging personal growth.” Nellie Jacobs, Grading the Teacher

We may be quick to complain about something happening in the classroom. However, how often do we let our child’s teacher know how appreciative we are? As an example to our kids it is important to acknowledge the kind acts and positive experiences we have with the people who are part of our lives. Feedback to a teacher can be made in the form of a simple phone-call, e-mail, a written note or letter with – as an added bonus - copies sent to administration. Some of my adult children still keep in touch with their favourite teachers. My son Ricky currently working in advertising, periodically visits the classes of his former high school media teacher Mrs. Gordon to talk to her students about communication in the workplace.

Ian Hardy, who developed “Creativity Camp” for adults writes about his best teacher:

“I never paid attention in high school, and also, rarely made an effort. This ultimately reflected my grades. By grade 12 it was certain that I was going to stay back another year while most of my friends went to college or university.

“My English teacher, Mr. Beer, took me aside one year and had a heart to heart chat with me about "my future direction". He saw bright things and saw potential in me that I did not. [He] gave me guidance and a purpose to strive for. Ever since that day I have put forth my best effort in everything I do.

“I have gone on to graduate college, worked for a few of the best companies in the world, also traveled the world and have a successful profitable business.

“The pinnacle of this experience is locating Mr. Been and thanking him for his major influence on me. He has since retired from teaching also remembered our conversation.”

Have you told your favourite teachers how important they are to you? Want to go overboard in showing your appreciation? Nominate your teacher or your child’s teacher for a Best Teacher Award. Or create an award system in your school or District.

Check out these websites for tons of great ideas:
1. www.teacherstaffappreciation.com
2. www.education-world.com/a_admin/admin/admin308.shtml

-Nellie

We'd like to hear from you: share your school stories - click on the "Post a Comment" button below or contact me directly at nellie@nelliejacobs.com.

RESPECT THE CHILD

2006-01-07T22:37:00.000-05:00

Keri Knight Feldkamp of Louisville, Kentucky, shares her view of parenting.*

1) What would you say are the most important ingredients for good parenting - and why?
Respect for your child as an individual, supporting the whole child (spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical), lots of love and encouragement and healthy limits

2) If you could change the way you were parented, or the way you yourself parented, what would those changes be - and why?
I wish my parents would have supported my creativity much more and let me explore my interests. Instead, I grew up self-conscious and afraid to own my creativity.

3) What suggestions would you make to new parents?
Listen to your child and look for the qualities that make them unique and special, then nurture those qualities. Most of all, teach them to love themselves.

4) What are your suggestions to maximize a child's potential?
A child must love himself first and foremost. If not, then he will not have the inner reserve and self esteem that it takes for him to maximize his potential.
_______________

To share your views about parenting, answer Nellie's questionnaire online at
http://www.nelliejacobs.com/questionnaire/parenting_form.php

GRADING THE STUDENT: NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS AND ASSESSMENTS

2006-01-05T05:52:00.000-05:00

From time to time readers send notification about web site articles and links of interest to students, teachers and parents. Feel free to send your discoveries.

The following excerpt is from a web article I found that explains in detail how teachers and students can negotiate grades in a system that is fair for both.

Creating Rubrics Through Negotiable Contracting and Assessment
By Andi Stix, Ed.D., US Department of Education

"What would happen if students were invited to help decide how their work should be evaluated? Would they exploit the opportunity, designing standards so ridiculously low as to guarantee a glut of effortless good grades?

"Surprisingly, the answer is no. Experience at Robert Wagner Middle School in Manhattan shows that students who are given a role in the assessment process can and do rise to the occasion. Given the appropriate direction by their teachers, youngsters are able to accurately evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and pinpoint where to focus their efforts to get the most out of what they’re learning. As a result, students view assessment not as an arbitrary form of reward or humiliation (a common perception of middle school students), but as a positive tool for personal growth...."

Full details are posted on http://www.interactiveclassroom.com/articles_006.htm

THE TEACHER PROSPECT

2006-01-01T08:01:00.000-05:00

RECEIVED BY E-MAIL ...

After being interviewed by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said:

"Let me see if I've got this right. You want me to go into that room with all those kids, and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. And I'm supposed to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, Observe them for signs of abuse and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.

"You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem.

"You want me to teach them patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, fair play, how to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job. I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student employment and scholarships, encourage respect for the cultural diversity of others, and oh, make sure that I give the girls in my class fifty percent of my attention.

"My contract requires me to work on my own time after school, evenings and weekends grading papers. Also, I must spend my summer vacation at my own expense working toward advance certification and a Masters degree. And on my own time you want me to attend committee and faculty meetings, PTA meetings, and participate in staff development training.

"I am to be a paragon of virtue, larger than life, such that my very presence will awe my students into being obedient and respectful of authority. And I am to pledge allegiance to family values and this current administration.

You want me to incorporate technology into the learning experience, monitor web sites, and relate personally with each student. That includes deciding who might be potentially dangerous and/or liable to commit a crime in school. I am to make sure all students pass the mandatory state exams, even those who don't come to school regularly or complete any of their assignments. Plus, I am to make sure that all of the students with handicaps get an equal education regardless of the extent of their mental or physical handicap. And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter and report card.

"All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a computer, a few books, a bulletin board, a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!

"You want me to do all of this and yet you expect me. . . . . . . NOT TO PRAY?"