Two years have passed since I released this little handbook out into the world. Since then, I have entered the wonderful realm of motherhood, which would explain the time lapse since my last blog entry.
I just received an order a few days ago from a university professor for use in class (who teaches @ my alma mater!) Needless to say, I was very excited!
A few emails later, I read that GoogleBooks and Amazon have both sold copies of the eBook and were requesting my preferred method of payment. Honestly, I still get giggly and ecstatic when I get an order to ship a single book, so I was most definitely looking like the cat who swallowed the canary at this point.
This motivated me to do a spur of the moment Google search for my book, which I do from time to time just out of curiosity. TARGET, one of my favorite stores is carrying the book, and it's IN STOCK! This was very cool!!
Everyday I think how blessed I am that I even was able to experience the process of writing and publishing my own book. These events that have followed truly are the icing on my cake.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Monday, June 15, 2009
HR: Rx
Check out this thoughtful blog/book review written by my old school chum. Great perspective!
Source: http://nicolechilders.com/?p=29
A former classmate of mine, Angela Vaughn Averitt, recently published a book marketed towards Middle School teachers. I ordered a copy as soon as I heard about it, not because I’ve ever taught as much as a flea circus but because I wanted to show my support.
When it arrived, I sat down in my recliner and started reading. With each chapter, I began to realize that although the target audience consisted only of teachers, Angela had in fact penned a book that was perfect for Human Resources departments. With a smile, I recognized that the highlighted childish behaviors of the the students were mimicked by adults in corporate America.
With that in mind, I started over, reading The Middle School Classroom: Rx for Success as an HR guidebook rather than a teacher’s handbook. The resulting read was one of the best I’ve had as a business manager and I encourage others to pick up a copy of this book. Angela explains, often with humor, common behavior issues with Middle School children that you will instantly recognize in your troublesome adult employees. She also boldly chastises teachers who cross the invisible line of acceptable conduct, which you’ll find quite useful as well when reevaluating your HR practices.
Buy a copy for your local teachers and pick up a copy for yourself. As you read it, you’ll realize how little many of us have actually grown up!
Source: http://nicolechilders.com/?p=29
A former classmate of mine, Angela Vaughn Averitt, recently published a book marketed towards Middle School teachers. I ordered a copy as soon as I heard about it, not because I’ve ever taught as much as a flea circus but because I wanted to show my support.
When it arrived, I sat down in my recliner and started reading. With each chapter, I began to realize that although the target audience consisted only of teachers, Angela had in fact penned a book that was perfect for Human Resources departments. With a smile, I recognized that the highlighted childish behaviors of the the students were mimicked by adults in corporate America.
With that in mind, I started over, reading The Middle School Classroom: Rx for Success as an HR guidebook rather than a teacher’s handbook. The resulting read was one of the best I’ve had as a business manager and I encourage others to pick up a copy of this book. Angela explains, often with humor, common behavior issues with Middle School children that you will instantly recognize in your troublesome adult employees. She also boldly chastises teachers who cross the invisible line of acceptable conduct, which you’ll find quite useful as well when reevaluating your HR practices.
Buy a copy for your local teachers and pick up a copy for yourself. As you read it, you’ll realize how little many of us have actually grown up!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Acceptance by Baker and Taylor; New Reviews
The Middle School Classroom: Rx for Success can now add acceptance by Baker and Taylor to its list of accomplishments. Baker and Taylor is the distributor for Books-A-Million and Borders. Very exciting to Google your book title and see it listed with these well-known vendors.
In addition, we have received several stellar reviews from people of note:
Excellent resource. The format makes it easy to follow and use as a resource. Very practical and I will utilize information from this book in mentoring new teachers as well as continuing the reminding process to tenure staff. This book provides all of what we do, but puts it in print to remind us. - Ryan Ruhl, Norris HS Principal and President of the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals
Thank you for sharing your book. I found it informative, practical, and easy to read. It's filled with sound recommendations to support new teachers to deal with the myriad of daily dilemmas they are confronted with. Supporting new teachers is critical, and your book is certainly a nice resource in this regard. - Steve Pophal, President, National Association of Secondary School Principals
In addition, we have received several stellar reviews from people of note:
Excellent resource. The format makes it easy to follow and use as a resource. Very practical and I will utilize information from this book in mentoring new teachers as well as continuing the reminding process to tenure staff. This book provides all of what we do, but puts it in print to remind us. - Ryan Ruhl, Norris HS Principal and President of the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals
Thank you for sharing your book. I found it informative, practical, and easy to read. It's filled with sound recommendations to support new teachers to deal with the myriad of daily dilemmas they are confronted with. Supporting new teachers is critical, and your book is certainly a nice resource in this regard. - Steve Pophal, President, National Association of Secondary School Principals
Saturday, March 21, 2009
BayWest Update - March 2009
The past few months have been extremely eventful, in my personal life, as well as in the life of my little company.
Early October 2008, I was promoted to Academic Coach at my school, providing the perfect opportunity to share my vision and hard work with my colleagues. That same week, my husband and I learned we were expecting our first child. We are both in our mid-thirties, and have wanted children for some time now, so this is truly a blessing!
Mid January 2009, we learned our new addition was a girl, then just days later, I lost my dad and best friend. He was 72.
Many BayWest milestones have occurred during this bittersweet period. Pregnancy, grieving, and adjusting to a new job certainly took their toll; I have had neither the time nor energy to update this blog, but I am ready to share with you now.
The Middle School Classroom: Rx for Success received a glowing review from The Library Journal in December 2008, which served as a catalyst for almost more library orders than we can keep up with. That's a good problem to have!
Concurrently, barnesandnoble.com Joseph-Beth and Davis-Kidd Booksellers have agreed to carry the book. In addition, the book has been/is being reviewed by numerous principals, teachers, publications, and professional associations, including the president of the National Association of Secondary Schools.
I see more and more potential for the book everyday, when I see the impact it has had on readers' confidence. I will close in saying I have experienced no greater blessing in this life than knowing something I created has the ability to positively impact the lives of others.
Early October 2008, I was promoted to Academic Coach at my school, providing the perfect opportunity to share my vision and hard work with my colleagues. That same week, my husband and I learned we were expecting our first child. We are both in our mid-thirties, and have wanted children for some time now, so this is truly a blessing!
Mid January 2009, we learned our new addition was a girl, then just days later, I lost my dad and best friend. He was 72.
Many BayWest milestones have occurred during this bittersweet period. Pregnancy, grieving, and adjusting to a new job certainly took their toll; I have had neither the time nor energy to update this blog, but I am ready to share with you now.
The Middle School Classroom: Rx for Success received a glowing review from The Library Journal in December 2008, which served as a catalyst for almost more library orders than we can keep up with. That's a good problem to have!
Concurrently, barnesandnoble.com Joseph-Beth and Davis-Kidd Booksellers have agreed to carry the book. In addition, the book has been/is being reviewed by numerous principals, teachers, publications, and professional associations, including the president of the National Association of Secondary Schools.
I see more and more potential for the book everyday, when I see the impact it has had on readers' confidence. I will close in saying I have experienced no greater blessing in this life than knowing something I created has the ability to positively impact the lives of others.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Kentucky Middle School Teachers' Greatest Classroom Management Issues: Revealed
Last month I had the privilege to present at the Kentucky Middle School Association Conference. During my session, I posed the question, "What are your greatest classroom management issues?"
Here's what Kentucky teachers had to say:
1. Class size
2. Calling out*
3. Gifted and talented students in mixed ability classes- boredom leads to disruption (One Size Does not Fit All)
4. Group work disorganization*
5. Transitions*
6. Irrelevant comments*
7. Side conversations*
8. Off-task behavior*
9. Student disorganization*
10. Consistency as a team/school*
11. Disrespect*
12. Motivation*
13. Differentiation
14. Establishing routines and procedures*
And here is my attempt to help solve one we did not tackle in the session:
Gifted and Talent Students: Idle Minds...We give it our all every day to make certain no child is left behind, but in doing so, are we leaving our gifted students bored out of their minds and suffocating their intellectual growth?
Some schools offer Honors classes, enabling us to provide these students with the challenging curriculum they need and deserve. But what about those that don't?
Our school is not only taking on this issue, we're pursuing it full force through Rigor and Relevance. Through inquiry learning, where students are presented with tasks where they learn by doing, rather than listening to the teacher, all are able to learn. Providing higher level questioning, opportunities for discovery, and a more hand-on approach for all, boredom is negated, and no child is left behind.
Give an example, you cry? When teaching modes of writing, maybe instead of giving students passages to read and asking them to tell if it is a persuasive, expository, or descriptive piece, you ask them to listen to samples of songs on the internet and find one containing lyrics for each mode of writing. Talk about high interest.
When teaching formal vs. informal writing, instead of reading students formal and informal passages, why not give them lyrics to a popular rap song (clean version, of course) and as a class, model writing it formally? Then allow them to choose a song of their own and write it in formal language. Music is an underused tool in motivating students to learn.
In Social Studies, instead of lecturing on Federalists and Antifederalists, why not hold a debate? Divide your students into two teams, the Federalists and the Antifederalists. They then choose someone to represent their party (Jefferson or Hamiliton,) then conduct research to support their positions. My kids elected to do so in costume, which took more time, but they had a ball.
Hope this helps!
* Starred items listed above are addressed in my new book The Middle School Classroom: Rx for Success. available via this link: http://www.baywestpublishing.com
Here's what Kentucky teachers had to say:
1. Class size
2. Calling out*
3. Gifted and talented students in mixed ability classes- boredom leads to disruption (One Size Does not Fit All)
4. Group work disorganization*
5. Transitions*
6. Irrelevant comments*
7. Side conversations*
8. Off-task behavior*
9. Student disorganization*
10. Consistency as a team/school*
11. Disrespect*
12. Motivation*
13. Differentiation
14. Establishing routines and procedures*
And here is my attempt to help solve one we did not tackle in the session:
Gifted and Talent Students: Idle Minds...We give it our all every day to make certain no child is left behind, but in doing so, are we leaving our gifted students bored out of their minds and suffocating their intellectual growth?
Some schools offer Honors classes, enabling us to provide these students with the challenging curriculum they need and deserve. But what about those that don't?
Our school is not only taking on this issue, we're pursuing it full force through Rigor and Relevance. Through inquiry learning, where students are presented with tasks where they learn by doing, rather than listening to the teacher, all are able to learn. Providing higher level questioning, opportunities for discovery, and a more hand-on approach for all, boredom is negated, and no child is left behind.
Give an example, you cry? When teaching modes of writing, maybe instead of giving students passages to read and asking them to tell if it is a persuasive, expository, or descriptive piece, you ask them to listen to samples of songs on the internet and find one containing lyrics for each mode of writing. Talk about high interest.
When teaching formal vs. informal writing, instead of reading students formal and informal passages, why not give them lyrics to a popular rap song (clean version, of course) and as a class, model writing it formally? Then allow them to choose a song of their own and write it in formal language. Music is an underused tool in motivating students to learn.
In Social Studies, instead of lecturing on Federalists and Antifederalists, why not hold a debate? Divide your students into two teams, the Federalists and the Antifederalists. They then choose someone to represent their party (Jefferson or Hamiliton,) then conduct research to support their positions. My kids elected to do so in costume, which took more time, but they had a ball.
Hope this helps!
* Starred items listed above are addressed in my new book The Middle School Classroom: Rx for Success. available via this link: http://www.baywestpublishing.com
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Meet the Parents
Some call it Back to School Night, some call it Open House, and others call it a dog and pony show. Whatever you call it, the intention is to bring parents, teachers, and students together, and to make introductions and small talk.
Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to keep conversations upbeat and brief, while at the same time allowing you to be the gracious host where no one feels neglected.
Back to school night basics. Post a sign outside your room with the dates of your school’s parent conferences. Provide a sign-in sheet as well so you will have a written record of all those who attended.
Stay out of your room. This is the most important piece of advice I can offer. Stand in the hallway, just outside your room, and speak to your parents there. Be warned: if you go in the room, you won’t be coming back out. Do make your room inviting, and allow parents to enter. In fact, ask each student to take his or her parent on a tour of the room.
Make your room inviting. Post student work and pictures of your students. Have a slide show running with either photos or information about your class. Have refreshments available. This way, parents are buzzing around your room, not you. (Thank you to Deirdre for the idea. She is a member of Middle School Matters, a group I started on Facebook specifically for middle school teachers. You are invited to join!)
Off topic. Limit the conversation to small talk. Thank parents for coming, maybe mention a connection you have in common, or tell them how much you enjoy the child in class. Back to School Night is a public affair, where ears are listening to everything you say, so steer clear of anything of a private nature, related to grades or behavior. These are topics better suited for a parent-teacher conference. In fact, if a parent asks you about grades or behavior during Open House, remind them of the dates of parent-teacher conferences, or offer to email and set up a conference with them at a later date.
Recruit parent talent and collect information. Take advantage of this opportunity to find out what your parents have to offer. If you are a social studies teacher, you may have a Muslim parent who’d be willing to speak during your unit on Islam. If you sponsor the newspaper staff, you may have a parent who works at the local paper and would be willing to give a tour. Set up several clipboards in your room. One for parent email addresses, one for guest speakers, one for field trips, and perhaps one for parent volunteers. Some of your parents may be stay-at-home moms who are just looking for something to do! Thank you Deirdre for this idea as well. You are awesome!
Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to keep conversations upbeat and brief, while at the same time allowing you to be the gracious host where no one feels neglected.
Back to school night basics. Post a sign outside your room with the dates of your school’s parent conferences. Provide a sign-in sheet as well so you will have a written record of all those who attended.
Stay out of your room. This is the most important piece of advice I can offer. Stand in the hallway, just outside your room, and speak to your parents there. Be warned: if you go in the room, you won’t be coming back out. Do make your room inviting, and allow parents to enter. In fact, ask each student to take his or her parent on a tour of the room.
Make your room inviting. Post student work and pictures of your students. Have a slide show running with either photos or information about your class. Have refreshments available. This way, parents are buzzing around your room, not you. (Thank you to Deirdre for the idea. She is a member of Middle School Matters, a group I started on Facebook specifically for middle school teachers. You are invited to join!)
Off topic. Limit the conversation to small talk. Thank parents for coming, maybe mention a connection you have in common, or tell them how much you enjoy the child in class. Back to School Night is a public affair, where ears are listening to everything you say, so steer clear of anything of a private nature, related to grades or behavior. These are topics better suited for a parent-teacher conference. In fact, if a parent asks you about grades or behavior during Open House, remind them of the dates of parent-teacher conferences, or offer to email and set up a conference with them at a later date.
Recruit parent talent and collect information. Take advantage of this opportunity to find out what your parents have to offer. If you are a social studies teacher, you may have a Muslim parent who’d be willing to speak during your unit on Islam. If you sponsor the newspaper staff, you may have a parent who works at the local paper and would be willing to give a tour. Set up several clipboards in your room. One for parent email addresses, one for guest speakers, one for field trips, and perhaps one for parent volunteers. Some of your parents may be stay-at-home moms who are just looking for something to do! Thank you Deirdre for this idea as well. You are awesome!
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