July 01, 2003Private Schools Blog Archives |
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Time to review those lesson plans!I taught in a private school a few years ago where the headmistress insisted on reviewing her teachers' lesson plan books for the week coming up. She didn't miss a trick! And why should she? The school was hers. She actually owned it.These Language Arts and Literature lesson plans provide some excellent models for English teachers. Why not spend a few hours this summer perusing them? 04:24 PM # All about AP & IBThe Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs are the top college-level curricula and examinations for high school students. Find out more about these programs here.04:34 PM # SSAT and other admissions testsIf you are planning to enter grade 9 at a private school, chances are you are going to have to take a standardized admissions test. The SSAT is one of the most common tests. There are others. Testing usually takes place during the academic year before the fall in which you expect to start school.Find out what you can expect here. 01:44 PM # What's it really like?See what boarding school life is like! Unique perspectives into day and boarding school life. More here.09:15 PM # OneStop Employment CenterIt's never too late to start looking for employment in a private school. Even though it is nearly the end of July, last minute vacancies can and do occur.Here are some links to get you started on the project. 07:37 PM # San Francisco SchoolsHeading out to SF for a little R & R tomorrow.Have you checked out the superb private schools in that beautiful metropolitan area? Visit them virtually here. 06:03 PM # I have to write an essay?Most schools require what is euphemistically known as a writing sample. Otherwise known as an admissions essay, it is one more means by which the school can assess your academic abilities and achievements. Here are a few links to help you with the process.06:18 PM # Attracting Teachers of ColorHow diverse is your school's faculty? Are you doing anything about it?Read what one consultant has to say about attracting teachers of color. 07:20 PM # Web design mattersYour Web site is your school. Does it represent your school properly? Thousands more people will see your Web site than will ever request a catalog.Most school catalogs are professionally written and produced. Make sure your Web site follows suit. Happily there is no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to Web site design. There are several small firms which cater exclusively to the private school market. Find out more on my Technology Networking page. 12:20 PM # AskERIC to disappear?What is Ask ERIC? "AskERIC is a personalized Internet-based service providing education information to teachers, librarians, counselors, administrators, parents, and anyone interested in education throughout the United States and the world. It began in 1992 as a project of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Information and Technology and is now, with the ERIC Clearinghouse, a component of the Information Institute of Syracuse at Syracuse University. Today, AskERIC encompasses the resources of the entire ERIC system and beyond, using the subject expertise of the 16 ERIC Clearinghouses to respond to your education requests."Apparently the Federal Department of Education wants to consolidate ERIC into its own databases. If you feel strongly about losing AskEric, write your respresentatives and let them know how you feel. 01:05 PM # Language Arts and LiteratureOnly the best lesson plans here for English teachers. Spend some time seeing what great teachers nationwide have put together for you! I'm sure you'll find something you can incorporate into your own lesson plans.11:37 AM # Financing a private school educationPaying for education is a major expense for most of us. There are several payment plans to help you budget tuition fees. Also some loan plans available. Scholarships are in extremely short supply. More here.11:57 AM # Which school did Gwyneth Paltrow attend?This stunningly beautiful film star attended The Spence School in Manhattan. How about Mel Gibson? Princess Diana? Edward Kennedy?Well, here's the inside scoop on the schools they and many other famous people, living and departed, attended. 09:45 AM # Even More Tech StuffI know! I know! "Enough with the tech stuff already!" But, remember I AM a geek and it IS summer! It's a great time to sit back and think about some of these tech issues and how to deal with them in your school. Even more to the point, maybe some admin person will read this and start asking some serious questions!Read eSchool News Online for an enlightening article on 'eMail spoofing'. 07:14 AM # Any Illegal Files on Your Servers?It's a risk no school wants to take. Being caught with illegal and/or pirated materials on your school's computers could result in some very nasty publicity and hefty legal costs.So take time this summer to check your file servers for copyrighted materials - music files, photos, movies, and so on - which have 'mysteriously' found their way onto your school's hard drives. If you are a school administrator, ask some probing questions about this issue. BTW, who'd do such a thing? Perhaps a teacher innocently downloading some photos for a proposed lesson plan. Or maybe some students trading music files. Or even the athletics department copying a DVD of a game to show the football team. So what's the big deal? See the RIAA's point of view and then decide whether you should get rid of those illegal files or not! I think you'll see the infinite wisdom of doing a little house, er, hard drive cleaning! 05:33 PM # Are You Being Hacked?Are your school's computers being hacked? If hackers can break into government computers, chances are pretty good your systems may be vulnerable. Most schools have technology budgets and resources which are stretched to the max. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent unwanted intrusions.04:06 PM # Free SchoolsSounds oxymoronic. A free private school?!? I've got seven schools on my list. Maybe one is right for someone you know.04:45 PM # Need a chuckle?If you are a teacher, then you have probably laughed so hard you cried at some of the really funny answers students give on exams and papers. You have to give them full marks for creativity sometimes. Anyway, hope you have a good chuckle reading some of these.05:58 PM # Summer ReadingNeed summer reading suggestions for your young people? Look no further. Hundreds of books here. Enjoy!01:20 PM # A Head For Our TimesGood bye, Mr. Chips. Gone are the bad old days when the head of school automatically ascended from the ranks. The head of a school today must possess administrative skills worthy of Sanford Weill. She has to have the political savvy of Hilary Clinton and the compassion of Mother Teresa. If he can walk on water, so much the better. Oh and yes, it does help if he is an educator, though that is no longer a prime requirement.06:15 PM # Top Schools in British ColumbiaThe Fraser Institute rankings are good enough for me. Listing is alphabetical as these schools are tied for first place according to the FI. What a nice selection for parents! And, if your child is still in school in BC seven years from now, you can take a side trip to the Winter Olympics! A good thing!06:40 AM # Beating Students is Legal?Unbelievable but true. There still are states in which corporal punishment is legal. Read what Jordan Riak, Executive Director of Project NoSpank, has to say about the subject in this interview.01:48 PM # |
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