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August 2009 Blog Posts (23)

Teaching John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success - The Top Three Blocks

Competitive Greatness is the top block in the Pyramid of Success. Don't wait too long in the study of the Pyramid before giving students a vision of where the Pyramid can take them in life. You will probably have your own stories, but here is the way I begin to explain Competitive Greatness:

When I coached Little League baseball, I learned that there are two types of hitters. Consider this situation. It is the last inning of the game, and your team is down by one run. There are two… Continue

Added by Ray Moore on August 30, 2009 at 10:31pm — No Comments

Initiating a Freshman Academy

This has been the most awesome year of my sixteen years of teaching! We have just begun a Freshman Academy at our high school, and the difference the team approach is making in these students' lives is just heartwarming! I am so glad I attended Mr. Habeeb's conference in Nashville, Tennessee. For the sake of our students, I am so happy we are giving them the freshman opportunity!

Added by Debbie B. Fowler on August 28, 2009 at 11:07am — 2 Comments

John Wooden: Father of Modern Lesson Planning

I have forgotten the academic who did this, but the following is a true story. An education PHD was searching for a good format for structuring lesson planning in the 1960's and stumbled on John Wooden. She closely observed him during practice over a season and came up with the lesson plan we all have come to know:

Hook or Initial Activity

Modeling the Activity

Guided Practice

Group Assessment

Independent Practice

Independent… Continue

Added by Mark dePaulo on August 24, 2009 at 11:53pm — No Comments

Radio Talk Show - Back to School - Stephen Jones and Scott Habeeb

Dr. Stephen Jones, a member of the Freshman Transition Network, is the host of an educational radio talk show, and Scott Habeeb, another member of the Freshman Transition Network, was his guest on his back-to-school episode on 8/24/09. Click here to listen.

Added by Scott Habeeb on August 24, 2009 at 8:48pm — No Comments

Teaching John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success - Introduction and the First Four Blocks

John Wooden describes success as the Peace of Mind that comes from the Self-Satisfaction in knowing that you did the best that you are capable of doing. Anyone can find success according to that definition and the journey through the Pyramid of Success can change everything in a student’s life.

I teach the blocks in small chunks. The first are the cornerstones of the whole Pyramid: Industriousness and Enthusiasm. It is appropriate that Enthusiasm be taught first because the whole… Continue

Added by Ray Moore on August 23, 2009 at 8:28pm — 7 Comments

Writing Graphics and Grammar and Coat of Arms Activity

Writing the Intro Paragraph.docx

Writing the 1st Body Paragraph97.doc

Writing the 2nd Body Paragraph.docx…

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Added by Mark dePaulo on August 22, 2009 at 11:50am — No Comments

Another Great Way To Start The Year

I'm Awesome, But I Have My Limitations!!! -- a Motivational, TV-Style Game Show Presentation & Workshop for 9th Grade Students

I'm Awesome, But I Have My Limitations is an effective, enjoyable, interactive TV-game show style assembly program or workshop which would be a great component of your introduction to high school for 9th graders.

I'm… Continue

Added by Dr. Ronald G. Shapiro on August 21, 2009 at 11:30pm — No Comments

John Wooden

When I was a second-year teacher, I was asked to coach the 0-10 tennis team at my school. My only qualification was that I once had seen a tennis racket. Being an English teacher, I went out and bought a book on tennis and also stumbled across a book called They Call Me Coach by John Wooden. The book changed my life as a teacher and as a father. The main theme of the book is that the way you conduct yourself off the court has everything to do with the way you conduct yourself on the… Continue

Added by Ray Moore on August 20, 2009 at 11:01pm — No Comments

Study Skills a Back to School Key to Success

Good study skills are an essential back to school learning tool that every student can carry into the new school year. Many students go back to school without the preparation that they need to succeed. Teachers say it often takes a month to get students back on track. Students need a study skills plan that they can implement during the new school year. They can start by writing down their goals for each class. A student can have a positive affect on their grades just by writing their goals down… Continue

Added by Dr. Stephen Jones on August 20, 2009 at 5:30pm — No Comments

Mr. Holland's Opus - medicine for the teacher's soul!

With the school year either about to start or having just started, I thought it would be worth taking some time to make a recommendation. Watch Mr. Holland's Opus.

We've posted quite a few clips from the movie here on The Freshman Transition Network. Teachers can learn a lot from them. You might watch them in the following…

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Added by Scott Habeeb on August 16, 2009 at 10:51pm — No Comments

8 Rules for Selecting a College

During the senior year parents engage in the annual ritual and conversation about selecting a college. Today college cost is frequently at the top of the list of issues that parent’s must confront. Even today money should not be the only reason that you select a college. The ability of your student to live within the philosophy of a college can make a big difference in their success. Sure colleges can put up an advertisement and send you a mailing every week but there is nothing like visiting a… Continue

Added by Dr. Stephen Jones on August 14, 2009 at 6:30am — 1 Comment

An Introduction to the Holocaust (Sets an emotional mood)

Holocaust2008.pptx

Added by Mark dePaulo on August 12, 2009 at 9:29pm — 3 Comments

Back to School Cell Phone Craze is Booming

When students and parents start their shopping list for the new school year one item on the top of their list is a cell phone. How times have changed. The idea of searching for paper and pencils is taking a back seat to modern technology. The cell phone companies have caught on and they are releasing so many new cell phones each month that it is hard for anyone to catch up. Cell phones have reached epidemic proportions throughout American society. You cannot go to a city or countryside road… Continue

Added by Dr. Stephen Jones on August 8, 2009 at 2:37am — No Comments

How to Motivate Students: Strategies that Work

Increasingly parents who send their children to school and those who home school are asking the same question. How can I motivate my child to learn when 21st century technology is influencing their every thought? It seems that children are learning how to multi-task but it is affecting their ability to focus. The very electronics that were purchased to entertain in the home have become the center of their attention. There are cell phones, flat screen televisions in every room, hundreds of cable… Continue

Added by Dr. Stephen Jones on August 8, 2009 at 2:30am — 3 Comments