Monthly Archives: July 2009

Get Ready for the New School Year

Teachers right now are getting their preparations in place for the new schoolhappypencils year. Me too. I’ve been writing quite a bit about teaching, because it helps me clear my head and organize my thoughts and my to-do list. Here is a list of my latest articles.

Where to Get Cheap Student Whiteboards

You and I both know teachers need to save money in every way, every day. I’ve done this to get whiteboards for the students since I began teaching.

First Day of School Icebreaker Activities

I’m wanted to think of some new ideas, since I’ll be looping with some of the students this year.

Three Things to Do to Set up a Classroom

How to Set up a Classroom

These two articles tell my method to get me in and out of the classroom prep time quickly each year.

How to Plan a Classroom Seating Arrangement

This article gives you ideas and it has a link to a nifty online tool to view your classroom before you begin moving all that heavy furniture.

Organizing a Classroom Library

I use tubs and labels.

Organizing Tips That Teach Student Study Skills

I use a color system that really works. Parents love it, too.

Morning Procedures for Classroom Management

Thanks to Harry Wong, I started doing this my first year of teaching, and I’ve never stopped the practice. It works. 

Curriculum Planning with Backward Design

Backward design will make your curriculum mapping easier, and make you a more effective teacher.

And last of all, Classroom Records Management for Teachers.

Keeping track of everything can be overwhelming, especially for a first year teacher. This article gives ideas for staying on top of the paperwork.

I hope this little list helps. If you want to read my articles as they come out, I post their links on Twitter.

Have a great academic year!

Science Fiction – What If? Short Story Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: August 31, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.readme.us.com/contest.html

 

A writing teacher once advised me to always take my writing to the next level by asking a key question, “What if?” If your story is about a dog running away, ask yourself, “What if it happened on a trip 3,000 miles from home?” Then, “What if the dog walked and hitched rides all the way back?” Perhaps, “What if he encountered wild animals, or a dogcatcher, or impassable mountains?” That’s how a story is born.

For this contest, think of a science fiction concept, then ask yourself, “What if?” Write your story to answer that question in 5,000 words or less. If Read Me Publishing chooses your entry as a winner, you’ll receive a small cash prize and publication in their upcoming anthology. Submissions must be done online. In the subject line, type Submission: WHAT IF CONTEST.

In addition, Read Me Publishing accepts year-round submissions of short stories through their online sister site, Short Story Library. Read Me Publishing is a micro press that publishes ebooks and print books through POD (Print on Demand technology.) After reading a few of the tales at Short Story Library, you’ll be familiar with what editor Casey Quinn considers good writing, and you’ll be ready to submit.

Don’t miss a single contest announcement. Subscribe to TeacherWriter by RSS feed or follow me on Twitter.

Family Circle Fiction Contest

Deadline: August 31, 2009

Entry Fee: FREE

Guidelines: http://www.parents.com/family-life/fitness/stress-relaxation/fiction-contest-winners/?page=12

 

            You may have a story ready to submit to this contest in your computer files right now. Family Circle Magazine sponsors this annual writing contest, although they don’t publicize heavily for it. The guideline page is titled “Fiction Contest Winners,” but don’t be misled. The entry rules are on the same page as the winning entries. They are looking for stories up to 2,500 words, on any topic that would appeal to their demographic of readers.

The winner receives $750 plus publication in Family Circle Magazine. In addition, the prize includes a voucher for one class and a one-year subscription at mediabistro.com. All submissions must be mailed through the postal service with an arrival date of no later than September 7, 2009. They will accept up to two original stories from each writer.

Here is the address:

Family Circle Fiction Writing Contest
c/o Family Circle Magazine
375 Lexington Avenue
9th Floor, New York, NY 10017

 

Don’t miss a single contest announcement. Subscribe the TeacherWriter RSS feed or follow me on Twitter.

Classroom Seating Arrangements

Teachers often ask, “What is the best classroom seating arrangement?”

 

The answer, unfortunately, is the dreaded and vague, “That depends.”

 

The optimal classroom seating arrangement depends on many factors, such as

What do you as the teacher want to accomplish?

Do you want cooperative and group work?

Do you want quiet, individual work?

Do you want innovative, creative seating arrangements?

Do you want a traditional, desks in rows seating arrangement?

Do you have classroom issues to deal with in deciding on how to place the desks?

 

All of these things can only by answered by you. Knowing what your goals are in the classroom will help you decide. How to Plan a Classroom Seating Arrangement gives you options and an online tool to make the job easier.

 

Next week, I’ll have ideas for organizing your classroom library. Using my RSS feed or following me in Twitter is the easiest way to get all the TeacherWriter articles.

Dogs and the Women Who Love Them True Story Contest

Contest: Dogs and the Women Who Love Them True Story Contest                                      

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: September 30, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.angelanimals.net/contests.html

Angel Animals Network is spreading inspiring stories of animals and their positive effects on people’s lives through their website, blog, social networking, and series of Angel Animal books. Their motto is “Discover and Benefit from the Miraculous Powers of Animals.” With that in mind, they are looking for creative non-fiction stories of the bond between a dog and its female owner. The stories should evoke strong emotional responses in the readers and show how the woman reached a physical, emotional, or spiritual goal with the help of her canine friend. Winners may be considered for inclusion in an upcoming anthology, but the website stresses that the contest and the book are separate. Each writer may enter up to three true stories of 2,000 words or less. Think inspiring, exceptional, and emotional for these stories. When you click on the website, you’ll find plenty of inspiring stories to guide you.

Classroom Management Strategies

Questions about classroom management are some of the most frequently searched questions by teachers. Here are some articles about classroom management techniques that work. I know, because I use them all.

 

1-2-3 Magic for Teachers

 

Classroom Quiet Signs That Work

 

How to Handle Bathroom Breaks

 

Use Student Numbers to Organize the Class

 

Use Morning Procedures and Bellwork to Start the Class on Time

 

Next week, I’ll help you decide how to plan your classroom seating arrangement. You won’t miss any classroom and teaching articles if you subscribe to my RSS feed or follow me on Twitter.

Past Loves Day 2009 Writing Contest

Contest: Past Loves Day 2009 Writing Contest

Entry Fee: FREE

Deadline: August 16, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.ourpastloves.com/contest

Celebrate Past Loves Day on September 17, 2009 by reminiscing about a sweetheart or romance and how that person changed your life. Did you have a favorite song? A favorite getaway? A favorite food? Write a creative non-fiction story about your experience in 700 words or less. The tone should be casual, as if you were telling the story to a close friend. For examples, you may read past winning entries. They accept entries by email and by snail mail. Winners receive cash prizes and publication on the website.

Writing Perfect Scenes

I’ve just spent most of the summer perfecting my scene and sequel skills. Now I think I can finally say, I’ve got it! After intensively writing for so long now, I’ve reached a vantage point where I can look over a scene, target what is wonderful about it or where it needs improvement. The scene is one of the most important parts that drive the story forward. You can learn how to build tension and suspense by reading How to Write a Novel with Perfect Scenes.

Happy writing!

List of Teacher Supplies to Buy for the Beginning of the School Year

Last Tuesday, the TeacherWriter blog was about getting your classroom organized.  Today, it’s time to start your shopping list. Many of the things on this list may already be in your classroom. If so, wonderful. Many schools allow the teachers to give the students a supply list to purchase before school starts. If that’s your school, terrific. The less money you need to spend, the better.

 

Use this Teacher School Supply Checklist to ensure you have all the things you need.

 

Don’t forget bigger ticket items as well. My classroom CD player broke last year, so I need a new one. You may need a DVD player, as some schools still have VCRs in the rooms. Try to get the school to buy them. If they won’t purchase them for you, because of the current budget climate, you can choose to do without, buy it yourself, or ask for parent donations of these items. Many parents that are unable to help out in the classroom are happy to donate items.

 

Last tip: Wait for the teacher sales. Typically, in July and August, school supplies are at an annual low price. Teachers even get special sale rates beyond that. You just have to watch the ads for them, or call the store managers to find out when the teacher sales are happening.

 

Next Tuesday, I’ll have 5 articles on classroom management for you. You can subscribe to my RSS feed, or follow me on Twitter so you don’t miss any of the teaching tips.

Writing on Walls III Writing Contest

Entry Fee: $15

Deadline: August 1, 2009

Guidelines: http://www.storyteller1.upcsites.org/page/page/4382383.htm

This is another contest sponsored by Storyteller Magazine. Winners receive cash prizes ranging from $200 to $75. All contributors receive a free copy of the anthology once it is published. The guidelines are sparse; stories up to 3,000 words are accepted in any genre.