Continuing Education
We spend a great deal of time ensuring the kids are taken care of during the summer months and that they have activities and things to occupy their time. I would like to focus on the importance of keeping teacher’s busy as well. For most of us, summer is a time for development, and growth as well as preparation for the upcoming year. I wanted to share some of the websites that are a wealth of information and can be such a help to teachers. For instance, Pearson, one of the largest publishers of educational materials has a great website you can visit for great information, tips and tools as well. Much of the site is interactive so you can get in there and apply the strategies to your own classrooms. Houghton and Mifflin is another publisher of educational materials and at their website you plug in your home state and they direct you to learning activities within your own state. In addition, your local library probably has a website, and you can visit via the Internet and reserve books, check out references, do research and prepare for the upcoming year. Sure, it is important to take some down time – but equally as important is keeping our minds active and in teaching mode so we can keep abreast of all the new tips, techniques and strategies that will keep our student’s learning for the upcoming year.
Reference: Pearson: Live and learn
Reference: Houghton & Mifflin
Reference: Internet Public Library
May 30th, 2007 at 11:20 am
timely information..summer break means all play for kids so its important to mix some learning with fun and games
June 1st, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Great tips Beth. You’re right - we do spend so much time thinking of how students can keep learning over the vacation, it’s certainly important their teachers keep their minds active too! These are some great reference sites for all teachers to visit.
June 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Thanks, Lauren and Bhumika — I think it is very important that all teachers use the time wisely, sure, everyone needs a break, but it is so important to keep our minds active during break so we are prepared to go back and get the children motivated.
June 3rd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Definitely Beth! I have to keep my little one reading and writing this summer. If we don’t stay on top of them, they’ll never do it. Have to keep those young minds sharp.