Do Good Manners Contribute to Academic Success?
Recently, Education World spoke with school etiquette consultant Linda Williams about what etiquette is, what
educators can do to help students learn proper etiquette and good manners, and how practicing good manners can
help children be successful in life.
Rallying Cry from a "Champion for Children"
Emmy-winning TV producer/reporter Thomas Baldrick left his job to focus on efforts benefiting children. The author
of two books that focus on kids and how adults relate to them, he visits schools and presents workshops for students,
teachers, and parents.
Breakfast Serials Serve Up Fiction Fun
Concerned that fewer and fewer Americans are reading for pleasure, Avi, a Newbery Award-winning author, founded
Breakfast Serials, a re-incarnation of the serialized newspaper novel. Everyone, from young teens to adults, is
devouring them -- chapter by chapter.
A Child's Plea Becomes an Adult's Crusade
Jodee Blanco's school career was not a series of joyous milestones, but a years-long sentence of misery. Blanco
talks with Education World about her book, which details her harsh treatment at the hands of bullies, and her
current efforts to help schools stop bullying.
National Teacher Calls for More Teacher-Leaders
Dr. Betsy Rogers, the 2003 National Teacher of the Year, wants to share with other educators and the public her
passion for teaching and the need to provide a quality education for all students.
How Responsive Classroom Practices Work
Mary Beth Forton, director of publications for the Northeast Foundation for Children (NEFC), and a former teacher,
talks about how Responsive Classroom techniques can save teachers time and make students' and teachers' lives
more pleasant.
Web Site Links Schools and Museums
Education World chats with Stephanie Norby, director of the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies,
about its new Web site and about the Center's efforts to foster partnerships between museums and schools.
The Essential 55: Rules for a Lifetime
Ron Clark, the author of The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful
Student in Every Child, discusses his classroom rules and the philosophy behind them
Class Rules Smooth Way for the Year Rules in School, a book from the Northeast Foundation for Children, tells teachers how they can regain
instructional time during the school year by helping students develop class rules and consequences at the beginning
of the year.
Induction Programs Help Keep Better Teachers
Educator-author Annette Breaux talks about the Framework for Inducting, Retaining, and Supporting Teachers (FIRST),
a new teacher induction program that has reduced her school system's teacher attrition rate by 80 percent.
A New Guide for New Teachers
I remember my first day teaching -- and the downhill slide that followed. Yvonne Bender explains how her New
Teacher Handbook can save today's new teachers from the kind of year I had.
Helping "Fake Readers" Become Proficient Life-Long Readers
Cris Tovani, author of the best-selling "I Read It, but I Don't Get It," chats with Education World about
her checkered reading past and about her widely acclaimed work with students and teachers in the area of reading
comprehension strategies.
Lessons of the Holocaust
To help you provide your students with the information and insights they need to understand the events and implications
of the Holocaust, Education World interviews Warren Marcus, a teacher educator for the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
Sheila Tobias on Re-Thinking Teaching Math, Science
In an Education World e-interview, author and educator Sheila Tobias talks about her approach to teaching math
and science -- and about teaching in general.
Bang Bang’s Message Reverberates
Author William Mastrosimone has been overwhelmed by students’ response to his Showtime movie Bang Bang You’re
Dead. Mastrosimone hopes schools will use the movie as part of their own anti-bullying efforts.
"Mister Rogers" Reflects on Respect, Diversity, and the Classroom Neighborhood Mister Rogers' Neighborhood lives on in reruns; Fred Rogers, however, has turned his attention to designing
other materials that support children, families, and educators. As a part of his work with Family Communications,
Inc., Rogers has published videos and print materials to help teachers create a nurturing classroom environment.
In this Education World e-interview, Rogers offers advice to teachers who want to promote a "neighborly" feeling
among their students! Included: Rogers shares ways to promote respect and help students cope with stress!
Reporter Reflects on Year as a Teacher
“I’ve come to think that only a radical change can address the deep-seated problems in our poor, inner city schools,”
says Christina Asquith, a former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter who spent a year teaching in a Philadelphia middle
school. Asquith, who was hired as an emergency certificated teacher, recounts her struggles as a teacher -- and
her insights -- in this Education World interview.
Schwarzenegger Seeks to 'Terminate' the Danger Zone With After-School Programs
Long known as a successful actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger in recent years also has become an influential activist.
the beneficiaries of his efforts? Children! For more than a decade, building on his past experience and his years
of service to Special Olympics, Schwarzenegger has turned his attention to after-school programs for children.
In this Wire Side Chat, he tells Education World how he became involved with this important issue in education
and why he feels after-school programs should be available to every child.
Teens Out to Teach Teachers
Creating and maintaining a Web site is hard enough -- imagine fitting it in around your homework! That's the life
of two ninth graders, Evan Russo of Columbia, South Carolina, and Marshall Roch of North Hampton, New Hampshire.
The two have been friends since third grade, when they both lived in Chantilly, Virginia.
Looking to use their extensive computer experience to launch a Web business, the two turned to a topic with
which they were familiar: education. Talking by phone and e-mail, Evan and Marshall created Out2Teach,
a free Web site with activities, technology resources, and tips about integrating technology into the curriculum.
The site is supported by advertising.
Evan recently talked with Education World about how the two friends started and now operate Out2Teach.
Taking JayJo to School
When Kim Gosselin's young sons were diagnosed with serious medical conditions, she searched for materials that
would help the boys' friends and classmates understand what having asthma or diabetes was all about. She couldn't
find good, child-friendly material, however, so she went to work herself! Gosselin started JayJo Publishing --
named for her two sons -- and published Taking Asthma to School and Taking Diabetes to School. Now,
more than a dozen books later, Gosselin recently took time from her busy schedule to talk to Education World about
her passion for creating books that increase understanding and promote tolerance.
News from the Front: Women Reporters of World War II
Although seeing, hearing, and reading "on the spot" reporting by women in war zones is not unusual today, during
World War II, women reporters and photojournalists often had to argue and cajole their way to the frontlines to
report the news. In spite of ongoing opposition from military personnel and male reporters, however, 127 women
correspondents managed to cover many of the important stories of that war. The careers of some of those women
are highlighted in Penny Colman's book, Where the Action Was: Women War Correspondents in World War II.
Share their stories with your students as the United States observes Armed Forces Day on May 18, once again a
country anxious for news of troops overseas.
Helping Blind Students 'See' the Stars
Benning L. (Ben) Wentworth III, a science teacher at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, was named
Disney American Teacher Awards 2001 Outstanding Teacher of the Year for his innovative ways of teaching science
to visually impaired students.
A Forgotten Genocide Recalled
Adam Bagdasarian's novel Forgotten Fire recalls the horrors of the Armenian holocaust in Turkey that began
in 1915. Based on the life of Bagdasarian's great-uncle, Forgotten Fire recounts the struggle for survival
of Vahan Kenderian, a 12-year-old Armenian boy.
Peeing in the Ool and Other Favorite Kids' Poems
Education World talks to poet Kenn Nesbitt about reading and writing children's poetry. Nesbitt is the author
of The Aliens Have Landed! a collection of humorous poems for children.
Simulations Engage Students in Active Learning
Simulations engage students in ways that few other activities can. Teacher Max Fischer, the author of a book of
simulation activities for the social studies classroom, shares his initial simulation experiences, his process
for creating simulations, and tips for using simulations in the classroom.
Comedy in the Classroom: Just What the Doctor Ordered?
Emily Oldak is the author of Comedy for Real Life. Oldak explains the role of comedy in teaching and how
it can ease the tensions of children in an unsettled world.
Reading, Writing ... and Moral Intelligence
Michele Borba is author of Building Moral Intelligence: The Seven Essential Virtues that Teach Kids to Do the
Right Thing. A few minutes of daily re-enforcement, Borba says, can help build children's moral skills.
Students Revel in Lessons from Storyteller Bill Harley!
Bill Harley is a popular children's musician and storyteller. Hook students on the power of Bill's "every kid"
stories and songs -- and watch them write and tell stories of their own!
Weekly Reader Keeps Young Readers Informed
Charles Piddock is editor in chief of Weekly Reader. He discusses how this classroom newspaper's approach
to news has changed since September 11.
Former Astronaut Champions Science Literacy
Pinky Nelson is a former astronaut and president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Project
2061. He offers recommendations for improving science education.
New Web Site Enhances Successful Safety Curriculum
Meri-K Appy is vice president of public education with the National Fire Protection Association. She talks about
Risk Watch, the NFPA's new injury-prevention curriculum.
'How To' Books for First-Year Teachers
Lynne Rominger is co-author of Your First Year As a High School Teacher and Your First Year As an Elementary
School Teacher. The challenges of first-year teaching are revealed!
Reading Experts Sound 'Off' -- Not 'Out' -- About Phonics
Wendy Cheyney and Judith Cohen are reading experts who share their practical approach to teaching phonics in presentations
across the nation. Plus reading research that every teacher should read!
Understanding the Hype: Media Literacy
Catherine Gourley is author of Media Wizards: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Media Manipulatives. She shares
her thoughts about media literacy and its role in education.
Carrots or Sticks? Alfie Kohn on Rewards and Punishment
Alfie Kohn is an outspoken critic of the focus on grades and test scores. He shares his views on classroom rewards
and punishments , and he tackles the tough topics -- standards, accountability, and high-stakes
Reaching (and Teaching) Kids Through Entrepreneurial Education
Steve Mariotti is author of The Young Entrepreneur's Guide to Starting and Running a Business. How does
a teacher reach inner-city kids who think reading and math are irrelevant to their lives?
The King of Classroom Management!
Fred Jones is a national expert in classoom management and author of Tools for Teaching. He shares his
thoughts about the difficulties teachers face in classrooms today.
Know When to Discipline!
Howard Seeman is author of Preventing Classroom Discipline Problems: A Classroom Management Handbook. Seeman
shares his thoughts about preventive discipline, effective classroom management, and more.
How Can Teachers Develop Students' Motivation -- and Success?
Carol Dweck is a professor of psychology at Columbia University and the author of Self-Theories: Their Role
in Motivation, Personality, and Development. Is self-esteem something that teachers can or should "give" to
students?
Teacher of the Year Philip Bigler
Philip Bigler is the 1998 Teacher of the Year. He celebrates one of his teachers who had a profound influenced
on him
Bettie Lake: Building a Home for Art Teachers on the Internet
Bettie Lake is creator of The Art Teacher Connection Web site, a guide to art resource on the Web. Art might be
considered one of the least compatible with computers and the Internet -- but Lake proves this is not so!
There's a New Captain in the Treasure House!
John McDOnough is the new Captain Kangaroo! We had an opportunity to talk with him about his background and about
his goals for The All New Captain Kangaroo.
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