Can't find time to teach science and social studies?  Are you clueless about history or baffled by scientific processes? Or maybe your  problem is a lack of interest--how can you make these subjects compelling for students when you don't like them yourself?  There's good news: Your personal limitations DON'T have to affect your students. On this page, you'll learn how to  get students passionate about the content  areas even when you have limited time, resources, or background information. 

Cornerstone Cross-Reference         Find even MORE info about instruction in The Cornerstone book! Book-exclusive content includes:     Ch. 6: Organizing Classroom Materials   *How to make the most of students' school supply lists so you don't have to spend out of pocket   *Why you should think twice before allowing students to share materials or use communal school supplies   *Inexpensive ways to get classroom materials     Ch. 12: Student Responsibility and Organization   *Strategies for teaching kids how to organize the supplies they keep in their desks   *Showing students how to keep a set number of pencils in their desks and having a consistent procedure for them to be sharpened   *Establishing routines for cleaning up and rewards/ consequences for when students do or don't meet your expectations   *How to give students the responsibility of keeping the class running smoothly through a genuinely useful class job/helper system       Ch. 18: The Challenges of High-Poverty Schools   *The realities of teaching in low socio-economic areas--everything they didn't teach you in college!   *My own background and experiences living and working in the inner city, and why I have a special heart for the teachers and kids there   *Lessons learned from a teacher who didn't make it: 5 important mindsets that a former co-worker never developed...and was terminated for after only 2 months on the job Ch. 19: Purposeful Planning   *Who determines what you're REALLY teaching? The answer (along with your responsibilities for addressing deficiencies in the system) may surprise you!   *4 planning basics ALL teachers should have   *Daily lesson plan options: how to streamline the time you spend preparing instruction   *How backwards planning and pacing guides can give your long-range plans a vision and direction *Too many ideas, too little time: how to develop a repertoire of teaching strategies and a plan to implement them *Easy and inexpensive ways to obtain and organize your ideas *3 questions to ask yourself when reflecting and planning new strategies for the following school year: make a personal plan to improve your teaching with small, manageable goals       Ch. 22: Standardized Testing   *De-stressing ideas for test breaks: games and activities to help kids relax and re-focus   *Making test week the highlight of the year: a variety of ideas from website visitors on making testing special and fun   *The importance of choosing a school and district with responsible views towards testing: what successful schools have in common       Ch. 23: Eliminating Homework Hassles   *8 choices to make when creating your homework system: there are no right or wrong answers!       Ch. 24: Quick and Easy Assessment   *Rethinking paper and pencil work: alternative activities that will save you time and photocopies!  Includes an entire page of tips on managing individual dry erase boards   *Informal assessment methods: using benchmark students, relfection questions, a 3 Things poster, learning timeline, and exit tickets   *A simple way to tell and track: do they REALLY understand?   *Ways to involve students in the assessment process (each one involves less grading for you!)   *What not to grade: 3 questions to ask yourself when determining whether or not to grade an assignment   *What to do with work you don't grade (and why it's alright to--gasp--throw some papers away!)       Ch. 25: Teaching Techniques That Minimize Off-Task Behavior   *How variety and creativity in lesson implementation make the difference: NINE pages of tips to help you keep your kids engaged WITHOUT spending hours designing perfect lessons and activities!