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Types of Learners in a Classroom. More than three decades ago, educational theorist Howard Gardner developed his theory of multiple intelligences. In the years since, educators have often described Gardner's categories as learning styles. However, in a 2013 article in The Washington Post, Gardner notes that multiple intelligences and learning styles are not the same. He argues that suggesting that each learner has only one "style" is limiting and may not describe all of the ways that a student acquires information. In life, individuals have their own "intelligences" or ways of processing information. In the classroom, students also have their own ways of learning that teachers need to accommodate. more...
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How to Make a Portfolio for School. A portfolio is a way to showcase your hard work throughout your school years. A portfolio is often a required component of the college admissions process. Some colleges will provide a specific layout for what they are looking for from your portfolio; other colleges or programs will leave it up to you. Either way, your portfolio is a reflection of you and your accomplishments. Regardless of how your portfolio will be used, keep it professional and effective. more...
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5 Types of Curricula in the Classroom. Although there may be only one formal curriculum published by an educational institution, there are, in fact, other curricula students follow, including the Hidden Curriculum, Null Curriculum, Tested Curriculum and Electronic Curriculum. Each curriculum disseminates various and sometimes conflicting messages to students and affects their learning experience. more...
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How to Apply Erikson's Theory in Instruction. According to Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, each individual's psyche is shaped through a series of conflicts called developmental crises. Three of these crises occur during childhood and adolescence, which means that teachers who believe in Erikson's theory should focus on these crises to ensure that students develop healthy, fully realized identities. According to Erikson, the key crisis for children between the ages of three and six is "initiative vs. guilt." From six to twelve, the crisis is "industry vs. inferiority," and for teenagers, "identity vs. role confusion." more...
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Relationship Between the Colonies and the Government in England in the 1700s. The relationship between Great Britain and its North American Colonies began to show signs of strain in the early 1700s. Until then, England's preoccupation with civil conflict and ongoing war with France allowed the Colonies to carry on domestic and foreign trade with little interference from British authorities. In addition, since their founding, the Colonies had been managing many of their own affairs. The Colonists, as a result, developed a sense of independence. When England began enforcing restrictions on Colonial trade and taking other actions that suggested Colonists did not have the same rights as British citizens in England, the Colonists began to take stock of their own identity and question Great Britain's authority over them. more...
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Pros and Cons of Looping in Education. Educational looping, in which students remain with the same teacher for two or more years, is a concept that is still used infrequently in the United States. However, its advocates point to students' higher test scores and the format's extended opportunity for learning. Its detractors, on the other hand, argue that students can be stuck with a bad teacher and may lose the benefit of social skills learned from a variety of social interactions. more...
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Definition of an "Oral Presentation". An oral presentation is a form of assessment that teachers frequently use in the classroom. Oral assessments come in a variety of styles, from multimedia projects to group work to speeches. An oral presentation involves explaining something to an audience, usually in a classroom, but sometimes in a work setting. Teachers grade oral presentations based on the quality of the information presented as well as the method of presenting it. more...
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How to Introduce Yourself to Your Class on the First Day of School. The first day of class for teachers is the time when they introduce themselves to students and explain the kind of person he or she is. Most students are full of nervous energy the first day of school; they want to know what their teachers are going to be like. As a teacher, it’s your job to support the students and tap into their potential. Taking the time to introduce yourself is key to setting up a stable relationship with your class. more...
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Five Reasons Why the U.S. Should Not Have Invaded Vietnam. The United States involvement in the Vietnam War is debatable and controversial. Some hold to the notion that U.S. intervention was necessary and critical to the suppression of Communism and vital to prevent South Vietnam from coming under North Vietnamese rule. However, those who oppose U.S. involvement in the conflict have steadfast reasons for rejecting the U.S.’s participation in a war that didn’t directly affect the U.S. and resulted in a high number of casualties at a tremendous financial expense. more...
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Ideas for Lesson Plans for After-School Programs. After-school programs should provide activities that are fun and that capture the interest of students. Since they will be tired at the end of their school day, kids will need activities that are compelling but not too strenuous. Make sure to incorporate hands-on activities with your lesson plans to keep the students involved. Some after-school lesson plans can include engaging in physical activities or with technology, working with art supplies, or using measurement tools for cooking. more...
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Differences Between the American Revolution and the French Revolution. During the last quarter of the 18th century, two countries fought revolutionary wars that altered the course of history by fracturing the traditional political systems of monarchy, colonies and feudalism. Rooted in the fight for freedom and liberty for every individual, the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the French Revolution of 1789 followed vastly different paths toward obtaining similar goals. Often compared because of similarities in ideology, era and impact, dissimilarities exist between the two wars in context, complexity and outcome. more...
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What Is the Purpose of eLearning?. E-learning (also called electronic learning) is any type of learning that takes place through or with a computer. E-learning is primarily facilitated through the Internet but can also be accomplished with CD-ROMs and DVDs, streaming audio or video and other media. The purpose of e-learning is to allow people to learn for personal accomplishment or to earn a professional degree, without physically attending a traditional university or academic setting. E-learning can be applied for all levels of schooling from grade school to graduate degrees, and is versatile enough to accommodate all learning styles. more...
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How to Write a Chapter Summary Template. In high school and college, students will be asked to practice their summary skills in almost all of their classes -- from summarizing literature in English to scientific articles in biology. However, if your students have not learned how to summarize, this seemingly simple task can be a challenge, as many students write reflections or arguments stating their views instead of summarizing what the author has said. Requiring students to fill out summary templates for each chapter they read is a good way to help them improve their summary skills. more...
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How to Calculate a Report Card Grade. It's time for report cards and letting students know how they have done during this current semester or quarter. This time can often be stressful to teachers, but if you are organized and set aside time to focus on the math, calculating report card grades is easy to do and can be done in a timely fashion. So take your grade book and calculator to a quiet spot where you can focus and calculate report card grades for your students in no time. more...
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The Overall Mood of the "I Have a Dream" Speech. On Aug. 28, 1963, civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history. His "I Have a Dream" speech was intended to inspire the 200,000 people at the Washington, D.C., rally and beyond to consider a world in which black and white children could learn and grow together. The message served as a driving force in motivating political leaders and citizen activists to push for greater equality and an end to segregation. more...
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Modern Methods of Teaching Listening Skills. Effective, modern methods of teaching listening skills encompass everything from interactive exercises to multimedia resources. Listening skills are best learned through simple, engaging activities that focus more on the learning process than on the final product. Whether you are working with a large group of students or a small one, you can use any of the following examples to develop your own methods for teaching students how to listen well. more...
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What Are the Parts of a Debate?. Middle school, high school and college students often participate in debates as part of their classroom assignments or as extracurricular activities, such as debate clubs or debate teams. Teachers or debate coaches and organizers often create their own formats for classroom instruction or for competitions, so there's no official structure. However, most debates include the same main parts -- opening statements, rebuttals, question-and-answer sessions -- sometimes referred to as cross-examinations -- and closing statements. Students should ask their teachers or coaches exactly what they should prepare for their debate and how much time they have to spend on each part. more...
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What Do the DIBELS Scores Mean?. The ultimate goal for children is to be able to read books fluently and comprehend what they read. This is not accomplished until second, third or a later grade for some children. Teachers can't wait that long to see if a child will fail, so Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, or DIBELS, helps to identify whether a child will struggle with reading later on. The program was developed at the University of Oregon and is used to help teachers identify struggling readers and provide early intervention. DIBELS scores help educators choose what interventions a child needs. more...
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What Issues Were Debated by Americans Before Ratifying the U.S. Constitution?. The United States Constitution was ratified in 1789, but not without considerable debate. During the Constitutional Convention, delegates debated major issues such as the makeup of the legislature and the effect of slavery on representation. When the new constitution was up for ratification by the states, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay had to write a series of pamphlets known as the "Federalist Papers" to convince Americans to ratify the constitution, as many were fearful of the increased power of the federal government. more...
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How to Make a Narrative Observation for a Pre-Schooler. Early childhood assessment tools are valuable in determining the developmental level a child has attained. A narrative observation, also known as an anecdotal record, is a form of direct observation used by teachers and parents, in which you watch a child's activities and record everything you see. You must write down every detail in a factual manner, including how a child behaves, how he interacts with his environment, and how he communicates. more...
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Weapons, Beliefs & Traditions of the Chinook Indian. The Chinook Indians are a Native American tribe with origins in the Pacific Northwest along the Columbia River. Related to the Clatsop tribe of northwestern Oregon, the Chinooks were known historically for their fishing, canoe building and navigation skills. In the early 1800s, when Lewis and Clark encountered them, the Chinooks numbered only 400. They lived communally in well-built wooden plank houses and traded goods with seafaring British and American merchants. Although much of the tribe succumbed to European diseases such as smallpox, influenza and malaria, the surviving Chinook generations endured. Today there are approximately 2,700 Chinook Indians, including those who occupy the Quinault Reservation in Washington State. more...
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British Imperialism and Its Effect on Indian Politics. British economic and political interest in India began in the 17th century, when the East India Company established trading posts there. Eventually the British took full control of Indian political and economic affairs, acting more as governors than traders on the Indian sub-continent. This had an affect on trading, culture and government affairs in India. more...
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Advantages & Disadvantages of Allies. History has shown repeatedly that it's always easier to win a war with the strong support of allies. Allies are a group of nations, with common goals, joining to defeat their opposition. By pooling resources, allies have more of the necessary items, including machinery and labor, to win a war. It also helps create a larger network of bases for operations. However, there are downsides to having allies as well, including divergent opinions and possible financial ramifications. more...
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Activities for Prom Night. The prom is one of the biggest events of the school year. Each year, the senior class works to create the best prom ever. Besides the dance sponsored by the school, many students also participate in other activities throughout the night. These activities can help the students enjoy their special night even more. more...
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How to Apply Piaget's Theory to Teaching Mathematics. Jean Piaget was a forefather of modern child development theory. Surprisingly, this educational academic began his career in the natural sciences. A quick turn to psychoanalysis brought an interest in human learning and knowledge acquisition. Piaget's stages of cognitive development encompass growth from birth through adolescence. They include what he termed the sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years), the preoperational stage (approximately 2 through 7), he concrete stage (7 through early adolescence), and the formal operational stage (adolescence). Educators can use the developmental theories behind each stage to create age-graded strategies for teaching mathematics. more...
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Define Academic Performance. In educational institutions, success is measured by academic performance, or how well a student meets standards set out by local government and the institution itself. As career competition grows ever more fierce in the working world, the importance of students doing well in school has caught the attention of parents, legislators and government education departments alike. more...
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Ten Reasons Why Children Should Wear Uniforms. While some kids and parents believe students should be free to dress the way they want as an expression of free speech, most schools have a say in how students dress. The school might have a dress code that gives guidelines for appropriate clothing, or it might require students to wear uniforms. Schools with a uniform policy usually have good reasons for implementing it, and some cite research to back their guidelines. more...
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Challenges Faced by Immigrants in the 19th Century. America's first European settlers also were America's first immigrants. In some cases, they were welcomed by Native Americans, and in other cases, they were seen as a threat. By the 19th century, the pattern had been repeated many times, with each new wave of immigrants encountering mixed reactions from already established Americans. The German, Irish and Italian immigrants who arrived in America during the 1800s often faced prejudice and mistrust. Many had to overcome language barriers. Others discovered that the challenges they had fled from, such as poverty or religious persecution, were to be encountered in America as well. more...
