What were they THINKING? I am still wondering about the Washington Post article that prompted that question about some teachers’ online behavior (see the Question of the Week and my response in the Editor’s Blog). But I guess we all ask the same question about our students at some point, as well. Spring fever, naiveté, or simple carelessness can lead to mindless choices. If we are lucky, the mistakes will be learning experiences without lasting consequences.
Looking for a Time Saver?
If you have never browsed through the Professional Menu on TeachersFirst, you have missed some real time-savers, especially the Online Tools listed under Real Teachers > In the Trenches. There is an entire page of reviewed Online Tools to help you create rubrics, create flash cards and graphic organizers, and more. You’ll definitely want to use your free TeachersFirst membership to mark these as Favorites for quick access.
Plan Your Own Summer School
Take some time during May to explore the rich resources of TeachersFirst and plan some personal professional development. Whether you want to learn about blogs, find some specific resources for a tough-to-teach topic, or want to adventure into web 2.0 tools, we have the teacher-tested resources and pragmatic hints to assure success. Don’t you deserve a little browsing time? Then use your TeachersFirst membership to mark group Favorite resources by tag -- so you can spend time planning cool lessons on sultry or rainy summer days.
This Week’s Question of the Week
Some teachers create their own MySpace and FaceBook accounts. Some have personal blogs. A recent article in the Washington Post details indescretions by teachers in such public spaces. If a teacher wants to have a personal web presence, what guidelines or advice would you give to him or her about what should/should not be shared online for the world to see, and why? Share your response to this Question of the Week. Remember to check "anonymous," if you wish. See what other teachers have to say, as well. You can always see responses to past questions by clicking to see the Question archives.
Featured Sites
This week’s featured sites include:
- an excellent, interactive resource on plagiarism and more
- modern and ancient mysteries of the real world
- two math sites for elementary
- an excellent tool to find just the right books for your students
- comics to teach with
- a graphic way to show cause and effect
- and many other TERRIFIC “recent additions” (click at the bottom of the page)
May your students be wise -- but not “wise guys” -- in what they say and do as the warmth of spring lures them toward trouble.
Your “teacher to go,”
Candace Hackett Shively
Director of K-12 Initiatives |
