Page Updates

May 14, Head Activity

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:04:15 GMT

HEAD ACTIVITY I usually begin with a short story but one that will grasp the students' attention. We read and discuss the story as a whole class and

May 11, Tips for Creating Work Groups in the Classroom

Sat, 11 May 2013 22:48:45 GMT

Group work is always important in any classroom, and you, the teacher, should be able to intuitively create functional groups among your students by considering

May 1, 6 Secrets to being a Successful Teacher

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:36:02 GMT

You can go through college and finish a teaching course, but that doesn’t mean you know everything about the career you wish to enter. There are some things

Apr 23, New PowerPoint Writing Activities

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:16:26 GMT

Journal Jumpstarts, Volume 1 is a complete PowerPoint package designed to intrigue and to motivate students to exercise their writing skills as they describe, explain, persuade, and narrate. Each slide is titled and contains...

a writing prompt.
a looping, presentation-wide animation along the left side of the slide.
a unique, featured, looping animation, selected to "illustrate" the prompt itself.
a link back to the Table of Contents.

This presentation also saves you the time and effort of scrawling out the writing prompt of the day on your whiteboard, over and over again. For full details and screenshots, follow the permalink below.

Apr 20, 180 Journal Writing Prompts: Enough for Every Day of the School Year

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:47:31 GMT

Journal Writing Prompts: These high-interest prompts will encourage kids to describe, explain, persuade, and narrate every day of the school year.

Mar 31, New Guest Author's Page

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:36:15 GMT

Julie DeNeen has contributed a page to this site that I'm sure you will find informative--especially if you're a beginning teacher (veterans will find some great advice here as well). Her topic is 20 quick actions that you can take to improve classroom management. Please click the permalink below and enjoy! Care to be a guest author? I'm offering $50 worth of products totally free of charge for each teacher who writes a page for Daily Teaching Tools on a topic that would be of direct interest to his/her colleagues. And, LOTS of teachers will see your work. The details on how to participate can be found at the bottom of Julie's page.

Mar 21, Best Website Design Awards Showcase for Educators

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:25:59 GMT

This showcase of best website design awards for educators features the Top 50 Classroom Websites and the Top 50 Teacher Resources Websites, as nominated by teachers.

Mar 10, Coming Soon

Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:46:22 GMT

I'm excited to announce that a new feature will be coming to this site in the very near future. Guest Author's Toolbox will be a special section devoted to teachers who wish to share their ideas and resources with their colleagues. Would you like to participate? I'm offering $75 worth of products totally free of charge for each teacher who writes a page for Daily Teaching Tools on a topic that would be of direct interest to his/her colleagues. And, LOTS of teachers will see your work. More information will follow shortly, but if you're interested, please access my Contact Chad page and give me a general idea of what the topic of your page might be--I'll quickly respond and then we'll go from there. Care to see a sample Guest Author's Toolbox page? Click the permalink below to see Janice Malone's page and don't forget--$75 worth of products await you, totally free of charge!

Jan 26, Language Arts: 8 Multimedia Mini Lessons in The Mechanics Bundle

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 15:37:42 GMT

Save 50% on this bundle of language arts mini lessons, including Capitalization 1 and 2, Using Commas 1 and 2, Using Semicolons and Colons, Using Quotation Marks...

Jan 23, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for Using Quotation Marks

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:01:59 GMT

This language arts multimedia mini-lesson is all about using quotation marks. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions...

Jan 23, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for Using Colons and Semicolons

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:00:42 GMT

This language arts multimedia mini-lesson is all about using colons and semicolons. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions...

Jan 16, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for Using Commas, Part 2

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:57:27 GMT

This language arts multimedia mini-lesson is the second of two parts on using commas. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions...

Jan 15, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for Using Commas, Part 1

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:41:10 GMT

This language arts multimedia mini-lesson is the first of two parts on using commas. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions...

Jan 14, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for Capitalization, Part 2

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:39:08 GMT

This language arts multimedia mini-lesson is the second of two parts on capitalization. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions...

Jan 14, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for Capitalization, Part 1

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 20:18:07 GMT

This language arts multimedia mini-lesson is the first of two parts on capitalization. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions...

Jan 7, Teaching Writing: Inspiration in a Remedial Writing Lab

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:04:23 GMT

These strategies and free resources specifically target teaching writing: engagement strategy, data-driven practices, lesson idea for creating narrative...

Dec 24, Season's Greetings!

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:18:31 GMT

Thanks so much for making Daily Teaching Tools a site that you visit for the benefit of your kids. Much more will be coming to this site in the coming year, and as a result, I would encourage you to continue visiting often. Merry Christmas to you. I wish I could say the same thing to the folks in Newtown. No matter what politicians and administrators say, what it means to be a teacher is SO much more than testing results and bulletin boards. There were truly some heroes there... Chad Manis

Nov 28, Language Arts: 7 Multimedia Mini Lessons in The Literature Bundle

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:51:17 GMT

Save 50% on this bundle of language arts mini lessons, including Introducing Literature, The Elements of Plot, Characterization, Author's Purpose, How to Summarize...

Nov 27, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for Using Context Clues

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:48:29 GMT

This language arts multimedia mini-lesson focuses on Context Clues. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions, and...

Nov 15, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for Introducing Literature

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:40:05 GMT

This language arts mini-lesson focuses on Introducing Literature. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions, and...

Nov 13, Language Arts: A Multimedia Mini Lesson for The Importance of Reading

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:40:21 GMT

This language arts mini-lesson focuses on The Importance of Reading. An animated, talking avatar presents instruction, gives examples, delivers questions, and...

Nov 11, Language Arts: Great Free Mini Lessons for Middle School

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 18:02:16 GMT

Talking avatars teach 30 language arts mini-lessons via digital projector or smart board while YOU relax. Author's purpose, how to summarize, main idea . . .

Nov 11, Free Teaching Software for Language Arts Middle School Kids

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 14:37:38 GMT

Teaching software: Talking avatars teach 30 language arts mini-lessons via digital projector or smart board while YOU relax, 20 writing tutorials, 60 multimedia warm ups . .

Oct 10, Welcome Aboard to Janice Malone!

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:12:02 GMT

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Janice Malone as a link partner here with me at Daily Teaching Tools.

Janice's website, ELA Seminars, is one that language arts teachers everywhere will want to bookmark and visit frequently. She offers a variety of resources, including but not limited to, podcasts, videos, webcasts, lessons, and products that are useful for teachers, and ultimately their classroom students. The information presented here is straightforward, organized, and easy to access. And, as the title of her website suggests, Janice is available to conduct her highly-regarded English Language Arts Seminars. To visit her and to see the many fine resources that she has made available, just click the permalink below:

Oct 10, Education Link Exchange: Sites that Connect to Daily Teaching Tools

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:13:51 GMT

The following websites have agreed to an education link exchange with Daily Teaching Tools: sites featuring resources, free materials, worksheets...

Sep 26, Great Teachers: Traits They Share and What They Do Differently

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:59:09 GMT

Great teachers have several traits in common: A compelling study done over a nine-month period ending earlier this year revealed some intriguing...

Sep 21, Cooperative Learning: 7 Free PDF Assessment Instruments

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:38:24 GMT

Cooperative Learning: This free PDF packet includes documents for self evaluation, peer evaluation, progress assessment, group checklist, two rubrics, and...

Sep 9, Cooperative Learning: Strategies for Problematic Group Members

Sun, 09 Sep 2012 16:11:42 GMT

Cooperative Learning: Dealing with the dominant student, the slow student, the bright student becoming bored, the competitive student, the unfamiliar...

Sep 6, Classroom Behavior Management: A Comprehensive Set of Strategies

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:57:34 GMT

Try out these classroom behavior management strategies on those little knuckleheads. Progressive discipline, using student planners, creating behavior contracts, more.

Sep 6, Welcome to a New Link Partner

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:33:55 GMT

I'm delighted to welcome Adam and the rest of his crew as our newest link partner here at Daily Teaching Tools. Adam represents StuSpots--The most comprehensive resource for teachers, students and parents for educational trip planning ideas. Plan your trip based on grade level, age or subject. Sign up for free and enter to win prizes like iPads, trips and Amazon gift cards. To visit them, simply click the permalink below:

Sep 4, Free iLessonPlanner App for teachers (Apple and Android)

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:32:38 GMT

I wanted to let you know about iLessonPlanner App, which is an indispensible free tool for teachers who are planning and delivering lessons to students

Sep 1, Online Teacher Resources: Free Websites Offer Great Classroom Tools

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 21:56:49 GMT

These free online teacher resources offer a wide variety of useful tools: activities, incentives, reference resources, downloadables, lesson plans, and more . . .

Sep 1, Cooperative Learning: 7 Free Jigsaw Activities for Your Students

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 18:24:47 GMT

Cooperative Learning: Step by step directions for creating, implementing, and evaluating the jigsaw strategy. Examples in all core subject areas...

Aug 19, Daily Teaching Tools for Enhancing Your Effectiveness with Kids

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:45:00 GMT

Free teaching tools including ideas, resources, strategies, and classroom management techniques learned during 33 years of teaching . . .

Aug 8, 4 Tips to Become a Better, More Effective Teacher

Wed, 08 Aug 2012 13:16:44 GMT

Teaching is one of the most challenging tasks in the world. You need to deal with lots of students, each with their own set of personalities that might

Jul 31, Free Graphic Organizers for Teaching Literature and Reading

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:45:48 GMT

These free graphic organizers include character webs, cognitive bookmarks, story maps, reading analysis, instructional webs, customizable organizers . . .

Jul 20, CHAMPs Classroom Management: Designing and Implementing the System

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 14:48:07 GMT

CHAMPs Classroom Management: How to develop strategies for multiple instructional approaches, tips on how to implement strategies, examples of CHAMPs strategies, and ...

Jun 18, Teacher Bulletin Board Ideas: Creating Compelling Utilitarian Displays

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:28:50 GMT

These teacher bulletin board ideas are appropriate for any subject area. Let your boards, walls, and whiteboards enhance your classroom management. Free downloadables.

Jun 17, Free Graphic Organizers for Teaching Writing

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 14:01:06 GMT

These free graphic organizers include webs for preparing to write, flow charts for sequencing, persuasive and expository essay maps, customizable organizers . . .

May 28, Best Website Design Awards for Classroom Sites and Teacher Resources

Mon, 28 May 2012 16:38:17 GMT

These best website design awards are a great way to receive recognition for a job well done. The teacher resources awards would be a win-win situation for all of us...

May 26, Use a Voki on Your Website to Create Interest

Sat, 26 May 2012 13:34:56 GMT

Voki.com is a site where you can create talking avatars and then add them to your website. They have a basic free version as well as enhanced subscription

May 7, Cooperative Learning: Assigning Individual Tasks to Group Members

Mon, 07 May 2012 18:43:03 GMT

Cooperative Learning: Preparing for group work; How to assign individual tasks to group members, facilitator, recorder, summarizer, more; free PDFs download...

May 6, Certificate of Achievement: 50 Awards Recognizing Student Excellence

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:27:11 GMT

Certificate of achievement times 50: Celebrate excellence in core academic classes as well as electives--clipart and gradient styles. Free download.

Mar 24, How to Teach Spelling: Guidelines, Techniques, and Free Download

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:12:32 GMT

How to teach spelling: Four guidelines and five techniques for helping kids become better spellers. Free downloadable set of PDF documents/graphic organizers.

Mar 22, Here's a Cool Freebie

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:31:32 GMT

While researching my next project, I found this cool Java widget and liked it so much I put it on every page.

It shows the total number of visitors to this site (since Wednesday, March 21, 2012). The light green sparkling dots show the locations of people who have visited. The city, state, country, and flag that pop up every now and then represent the locations of visitors to this site in REAL time. Each flagged location remains on the map for about 10 minutes regardless of how long a visitor stays. If you have a website and would like to add this widget, it's easy and quick to do. And, the best part is that it's free. Just click on the link for revolver maps that appears immediately below the control buttons of the widget. Then, you simply choose the style of map that you prefer and the color of the lights that will represent visitors. Finally, copy and paste the JavaScript or HTML into your webpage. You're good to go! I must say I'm delighted to have found this and equally as delighted to share it with you.

Mar 11, Free Graphic Organizers for Studying and Analyzing

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 20:48:33 GMT

These free graphic organizers include note taking charts, vocabulary webs, author study maps, think pair share charts, timelines, customizable organizers . . .

Mar 6, Coming Soon!

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:22:11 GMT

More free graphic organizers in PDF format will be available soon. I've been working for the last couple of weeks on my next collection, called 50 STUDYizers. The focus for these organizers is studying and analyzing. Although I can't give a final listing, the general categories for these organizers that I have completed so far include . . .

Timelines
Vocabulary Webs
Author Study Organizers
Spider Maps
Main Idea Wheels
Observational Tools
Notetaking and Research Aids
Icebreakers
Goal Setting
Problem Analysis

There are likely to be a few more categories as I continue through the design process. At last count, I had completed about 31 of these new organizers. I hope to complete the remaining ones in about a week and then begin building the page that will support them. As you may know, 50 STUDYizers is the fourth in the series of the "izers" collections. If you haven't had a chance to check out the other three that are already completed, here are their links:

50 READERizers--Graphic Organizers for Literature and Reading
50 RECOGNizers--Award Certificates Recognizing Student Achievement
50 WRITERizers--Graphic Organizers for Teaching Writing

I hope to have this newest collection complete and fully functioning online no later than Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Thanks once again for your continuing interest!

Feb 9, Teacher Time Savers: A Collection of 13 E-Books for Educators

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:26:56 GMT

Two of these teacher time savers are completely free of charge. Additional titles include Essay Writing Kit, Just Multiply It!, End-of-the-Year Language Unit...

Jan 29, New Right Columns Added

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:22:51 GMT

I FINALLY got around to adding right columns to the pages that needed them the most. One of them appears right here on this page (there was a blank area there before). I have also added right columns to the pages that display YOUR teaching ideas. Here is a sample. Come on guys, share your ideas with us! It's easy--just follow this link.

Jan 15, Good News!

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:43:45 GMT

I've been working VERY hard the last couple of weeks on another free PDF package of graphic organizers. This package will be entirely about reading--I hope to have it up well before the end of this month. Thanks for your continuing interest!