Letters March 2007

Art of teaching
I teach art in grades K-8 and also teach art education classes at the university level. I use Teaching K-8 for a source of inspiration. I have referred to your magazine above all others. Many of my university students enjoy it as well. Keep up the great work; without you, our work would be much more difficult.
Mary Rosek
Stevens Point, WI

Change is good
I am majoring in Elementary Education at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. Mary Ellen Bafumo's article "Changing Teaching Practices" ("Best Practices," October 2006) covers one of the most important aspects of beginning and experienced teaching I've read about. We are taught how to follow and teach the standard curriculum, but what we are not taught is what to do when the children are not engaging in it. Ms. Bafumo's article gives us aspiring teachers that direction as well as points us in other directions that can help as well. The notion of teachers having the power to make change shows that change is possible. This article has me thinking and planning ahead as a future educator. I have made numerous copies and plan on distributing them to the class during my presentation because I think the information on low engagement and motivating children to learn is prudent for all students preparing for a career in education.
Clara Ewing
via e-mail

Tech teacher tips
The reason I chose to teach Technology was so I could continuously learn about the subject. I was pleased with the shortcuts listed in "How To Teach Tech Terminology" by Linda Lindroth (November/ December, 2006) and that they were listed for both PCs and Apples. Coincidental to reading this article I was introduced to another shortcut by some mischievous third graders. If you hold down the "control," the "alt/option" and the apple key at the same time, then type the number eight, you get the entire display in a negative. We are about to send home "Acceptable Use" forms for third graders and their parents to read and sign. When I asked how they learned this, the ring leader said he figured it out fooling around at home.
Some of the challenges are beyond "technical."
Fran Grobelny
Winnetka, IL

March, 2007, Vol.37, No.6