Joann Said:

Substitute teaching advice for middle school?

We Answered:

The first thing to remember is that each class is less than an hour so regardless of how bad it is, it won't last long. You get a fresh start every hour. I prefer subbing in middle school because the students are becoming more abstract in their thinking.

Now, for a few tricks.

Whatever the teacher leaves for the assignment, it is due AT THE END OF THE PERIOD. This gets the students focused on the assignment. If not all, at least some of it. Otherwise, the students will use the time to goof off. When the students protest, tell them to take it up with their teacher tomorrow. Leave a note for the teacher to let them him/her know what you did.

The second trick: Instead of yelling to get their attention, start writing. Write about anything: shopping list, decor of the room, a letter to Aunt Sally, the behavior of the students, etc. The students already know you are there and will be watching for a reaction. When they see you writing, they will assume it is about them. When they ask what you are writing, tell them it is a private note. Do not elaborate. I have discovered this works remarkably well.

If things do not go well for you, leave a detailed note for the teacher. It has been my experience that most teachers do not like their students misbehaving for a "guest" teacher.

Go have fun with the little monsters.

Gerald Said:

Help! High school advice?!?

We Answered:

Yes, you ARE normal. People who research adolescents have found it over and over again. There's a transition period between middle school and high school, and those changes can disrupt your grades.

That doesn't mean your grades have to keep getting lower though.

I'm so glad that you're concerned. That tells me that you'll be just fine.

When I got to high school, I figured out that I had to do a lot more reading, first of all, even if it wasn't assigned, I'd read things. You'll get a feel for when you understand something or not. Secondly, I found that I needed to spend more time on my homework. Third, I noticed that my teachers expected more from me, so it was harder to get A+'s from them than from my middle school teachers. :)

Here are some study skills you can try out:
1) Make up notecards, or flashcards, a few days before a test. Carry them around in your pocket and read them over every day until the test.
2) Keep a planner, write everything in it, from homework to exams to fun activities with friends.
3) Ask your teachers for advice on tricky subjects.
4) Draw pictures that help you understand things in science, for example. (If you're studying cells, try to draw and label one.)
5) Find someone in your class to study with. Some people who learn by hearing study really well with a group.
6) Leave space in your notes, read over them later that day, and if you see that you left anything out or if your textbook explains it better, add to them.
7) Give yourself little rewards for work well done. Your A+'s may be getting rarer, but A's are still great grades, and B's are still above average, so if you worked hard for it, and you learned, you should be proud of yourself.

The key is to make sure you stay motivated in school, and that's hard to do when you're trying to balance school with so much else.

Megan Said:

The Best Ways to Study for a Test?

We Answered:

study your notes
practice problems
flashcards
quiz yourself
ask your teacher questions
make a self test
make a study guide
be confident
get a good night sleep and eat breakfast
pay attention the day before the test-your teacher will probably mention several things that will be on the test

Good luck!

Bernice Said:

Middle School Level Course.?

We Answered:

Future Teachers 2008: Do you like working with children? Did you used to play teacher as you were growing up? Are you good at helping people? This introductory course will give you a chance to work with young children and learn about teaching as a future job! You will also spend several days opperating a little (your school's mascot) preschool.

Sections:
Young Children (Pre-operational child development)
Skills taught in preschool
Lesson Planning
Reading to young children
Classroom Management
Career applications (talking with a principal, reading about the career, using different professional websites like nea.org)

Students will need to:
-Learn about pre-operational development
-Learn about best practice strategies in emergent literacy development and make a felt board story for a picture book of their choice
-Read and reflect on several different articles about teaching from a professional journal and hot topics in education from nea.org
-Students will hear from the an elementary school principal about why he/she picks certain teachers, what their job is like, what a teacher's job is like, and also things the students can do to become a better teacher even while they are still in high school (such as taking more early childhood classes, babysitting, volunteer opportunities, etc).
-Students will take field trip to a daycare center. They will also run their own three hour mini-preschool for two or three days (students can be found by contacting parents in the school or teachers with small children)


I had a course like this in middle school. It was rigorous, and challenging, but we absolutely loved it! Plus as a teacher you already know a lot of the information and can research and find the rest. It's a really unique exploratory that could lead students to a new career decision.

Jean Said:

How to study efficiently? Tips/Skills also?

We Answered:

You know I always wanted to know the same thing. After I was married and had a daughter, she was about 10-12 at the time, my niece came to live with us. She was in high school at that time and went on the college. Not to brag, but she was 1st in her class (high school) at graduation. Then game college. During college she would be in her room studying for hours. I finally poked my head in the door and asked her, "how do you study?" because I really didn't know how to study. Never did through grade school and high school. It's like I was always blundering through.

Her answer was simple, read, read and re-read, as she was doing at the time. I noticed there was a lot of high lighting for what she thought were the more important things. Little late for me, but the light bulb finally went off. . . . . READ and READ again. I thought, of course that's how you study. You're taught in class then go home with a ton of home work. History (to me) would be a good example of how to study. Read and re-read until it sinks in. Then you're prepared at test time.

When I asked her the question I expected a long drawn out answer. What I got was a simple explanation ...... READ.

Guess if you don't particularly like to read, now is time to read at home work time no matter what the subject is or who the teacher is. I never disturbed her, but for that one time to ask her how do you study. I did my grade and high school never really knowing how to study. I think many other students can say the same. It seems the hardest part of going to school is how do you study. Was a little to late for me, but I did learn something from her answer. Something I haven't forgotten to this day. I didn't go on the college, but if I did I would have been more prepared. Again not to brag, but she was number 2 at graduation from college. Guess reading pays off. Sorry it took me so long to give you my answer. Hope this helps you.

Jessie Said:

Any one know where I can find a good english vocabulary list for middle school or HS level students?

We Answered:

Well if you want a vocabulary list for HS level, buy a SAT book. The verbal's great there. It'll help a lot.

Online sources - the best would be to google a textbook on the subject you're taking. Most textbooks nowadays have online sources, which includes a brief outline and summary, and practice questions, which'll help you.