Elsie Said:

Adults as third graders?

We Answered:

Very good analogy. Liberals just want the handouts without thinking who will pay for it.

John Said:

Volcano and Earthquake Lesson Plan?

We Answered:

Not sure how old "third graders" are, but you can demonstrate how dissolved gasses in Lava cause an eruption when the pressure is released by shaking a screw top bottle of pop (soda I think in US english) then rapidly unscrewing the top.
You can show convection in a large glass beaker using a few crystals of potassium permanganate.
You might get some ideas from my favourite volcano website (with lots of great pictures) stromboli online http://www.swisseduc.ch/stromboli/

Darren Said:

Fun games to play with third/fourth graders that involves math and reading?

We Answered:

I suggest that you start out with the name game! I still love it on the first day of my classes and I'm in high school lol What you do is you have someone say their name then something that begins with their name. (I.e. Adam, Apple) and then the next kid has to say the one before them and then theirs. Then the kid after that has to say the first two and then theirs. It sounds like it would be hard once it got to the end but it's pretty easy for the end kid from what I can remember as long as they're paying attention cause they hear it over and over again.

Like I said before, I've had teachers do that in highschool on the first day but I really think that's the type of thing you can do at any age.

Hope I helped and good luck! =) Your going to be a great teacher! =D

Jim Said:

Similar stories to "The Coyote who placed the stars"?

We Answered:

you should ask in a literature category

Ruth Said:

What are some good reference books you use for history and science for your kids?

We Answered:

The Department of Natural Resources has a lot of good earth science material for free. I went to a teacher supply store and found some great stuff but this was in the old days. My baby is a Marine. We did a lot of work with Science magazines. They had to read something and give me a short essay, who what when where and how. I found with that box of magazines they read more than what they used but they learned quite a bit. Beware of the four foot tall scientist. My son learned to create fire with a watch. Good times, have fun.

Kelly Said:

Pre-service teacher here asking for a few opinions about a lesson I'm planning, please!?

We Answered:

I think that this might be a bit much to askf or ESL students. I teach higher functioning 2nd and 3rd graders and well I think it is a bit all over the place There are strong parts but you are expecting alot without teaching it well and providing strong examples and modeling therefore the children will be lost.

. I guess my question is what is your ultimate goal?

Ask yourself...what do I want the kids to do? If it is a literacy assignment pulling evidence from the text for specific examples that is a a skill you need to teach and teach it well rather than introduce it once then expect them to do it.

If it is the social justice aspect of bullying you want to address, then encourage them to have more of the peer discussion and make connections to their own lives rather than make them debate it which adds a different layer.

You have good ideas but I think a debate format is something you teach if you are working on persuasive essays. Is this debate format even developmentally appropriate or standards alligned? You are focusing too much on the product of this rather than the thinking processes and the actual kid learning and work that needs to happen.

Benjamin Said:

Why are people SO negative about school teachers!?

We Answered:

There are few bad teachers out there, and then it puts a bad name to the rest of us.

Also, the problems of the schools get put on the teachers shoulders even though it's not always their fault (i.e. standardized tests, some ways to teach are mandated by school districts)

People always disrespect and tease teachers saying that they make too much money and should make less because of holidays and summers off...but in reality many teachers work over the summer in order to make ends meet (tutoring, summer camps, etc)
The average pay for a teacher is 30-40,000 (private school teachers typically make less) and many teachers typically work 50-60 hours a week. That doesn't go far over a year.

And many parents are disrespectful to teachers, not sure why...but it then rubs off on the kids especially as they get older.

Teaching isn't easy and it isn't very well paid. Its a busy job and I spend a good 20 hours a week outside school hours prepping. And I typically spend my own money on supplies. But it is a very rewarding job and you can be one of the good teachers that makes a good impression on your students.

Anyways, if you want to teach, go for it. It's a very rewarding job and despite the low pay I wouldn't want to do anything else. You do it because you love it, not because you want to make money.

Good luck!