All Blog Posts (208)

A new e-book "Promoting Psychological Science A Compendium of Laboratory Exercises For Teachers of High School Psychology" is now available online.   Two of my activities are included.   This e-book may be of help to your colleagues who teach psychology.  Please share the link.  Many thanks!!! Ron

How many times have you received student work that was quite suspicious? I mean, you look through them and they seem fine and well written, but you have this gut feeling that something isn’t quite right. Sometimes it’s obvious when a work has been copied, especially when it’s too perfect or highbrow for a freshman to have produced it. And sometimes you just suspect there’s something wrong with the work without any clear indications.

What is the problem?

The…

I have a new website that I've been working on to communicate to our staff and now to the Network about our progress in impacting students during their first year of high school. Would love your input!

www.TheFreshmanAcademy.com

Thanks,

Todd Novak

Washington High School

Sioux Falls, SD

This network is focused on  transformation from the bottom up.  I believe we must take a stand for what our students require to achieve success in the 21st century.

A big missing link  is the high underemployment, and student debt young people are carrying.  We have a whole generation of young people that have done what they have been taught to do...go to school, get a degree, and get a job.   They have followed the advice of parents, educators and society in general.  Yet,…

There are several blog posts on this site related to using music in the classroom to inspire and motivate kids.  Each has included a list of specific songs that can be used. Here are links to the previous 4 posts:

Part 1, Part 2, …

Donald Miller isn't an educator, but he routinely shares ideas and blogs that are wonderful tools for teachers who are trying to go beyond the content with students.  This post would be a great one to share with your students.  Have them read it as a Do Now - or perhaps you could even tie it more directly into your content - and then lead a short discussion on what you learn from them.  It's a good one.  …

FOR EVEN MORE MUSIC SUGGESTIONS VISIT http://gobeyondthecontent.weebly.com/music.html

There are several blog posts on this site related to using music in the classroom to inspire and motivate kids.  Each has included a list of specific songs that can be used. Here are links to the previous 5 posts:…

Don't you love it when inspirational Go Beyond the Content stories come our way?  Here's a great one you can share with your students about the power of showing kindness to others.  

Below is the video and story that were published by Steve Hartman and CBS News on February 27, 2015.  To see the original story on the CBS website click…

Here's an example of a Going Beyond the Content concept that also ties into the content - in this case, the content of World History.  

Thanks to John Richmond for this wonderful post about realizing that you are not the center of the universe!

Check out "Why You Need a Copernicus Moment"

This post from 1st grade teacher, Bre Berger, is an inspirational reminder for teachers of all grade levels.

Enjoy: http://teacherpop.org/2015/01/an-exhausting-true-love-called-teaching/

Don't forget to check out Go Beyond the Content for more inspirational resources for teachers.

Rusul Alrubail's post on Edutopia is a great reminder for teachers of the characteristics that are most important in the classroom.  Here's the link:

http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/heart-teaching-what-it-means-be-great-teacher

Readers who enjoy…

If we are going to inspire our students, we need to be inspired as well.  If we are going to reach their hearts, then our hearts must be in the right place.

Check out this wonderful reminder from William Parker - Keeping the Heart of an Educator.

Thanks, William!

Readers of this blog know what a big fan I am of using music in the classroom.  Kids love music.  Many of them identify with music.  Music often speaks to them and captures their attention far better than our words could ever hope to do.  Music can be used to set a tone, to create a mood, and to build a positive atmosphere.

Music can also be used to communicate a message.  As you seek to Go Beyond the…

So you survived a school year - hopefully, you thrived instead of merely survived - and made it to summer.  This fall a whole new batch of freshmen will enter your school, and your Freshman Transition Program (FTP) needs to be ready to meet their needs and support them through this often difficult transition.  Is there anything you should be doing this summer?

Yes.

The summer can play a crucial…

This is a great message to students from a teacher who truly cares about them.  Consider how you might use your own personal voice to lovingly communicate a similar message.  

To read the post, follow this link: …

A key part of going beyond the content with young people is helping them understand how to adapt to and deal with all that life throws at them.  

After reading this post written by Scott McClellan for Donald Miller's Storyline Blog, you'll be able to teach your students the difference between "stove pain" and "bicycle pain."  By doing so, you'll help them gain a productive way to look at their lives.

Enjoy!…

There are several blog posts on this site related to using music in the classroom to inspire and motivate kids.  Each has included a list of specific songs that can be used. Here are links to the previous 4 posts:

Part 1, Part 2, …

This morning as I read the USA Today on my phone, I came across a wonderful reminder of the powerful ability a teacher has to impact lives when she chooses to go beyond the content.  The video you see below tells the story of how a group of students decided to thank their very favorite teacher.  Watch the video and be reminded of the unique nature of your profession.  Your job is more than a job.  You have potential to literally change…

If you are teaching a class involving assumptions or problem solving (in, perhaps, ninth grade math or science) and would like an activity which has worked quite well for me please check out my article When Do Assumptions Facilitate Problem Solving and When Do They Impede It? in Rhode Island Creative Magazine,…

If you are planning a parent - student event for your ninth graders and would like an activity which has worked quite well for me please check out my article How Well Do We Describe Each Other? in Thirty Something Magazine (And,…