Teach Your Students a Lesson on Gratitude

One very important lesson that a teacher should be able to teach their students especially at a young age is to be grateful for who they are and what they have. This doesn't mean teaching them to be content with what they have and never anymore strive to be better; instead making them see and truly appreciate the good things they now possess. This will then lead to becoming more positive and optimistic, which will result to enjoying life to the fullest and becoming truly happy.

The book I am enjoying right now entitled "Find Real Happiness" by Filipino author William Gracian devoted a section on this topic. Let me then share with you how he reminds us of how blessed we are by enumerating some simple facts in life which we tend to overlook.

• If you wake up on a Monday morning feeling strong, healthy and alert... then you are luckier than approximately one million others who will not be alive by the end of the week.
• If you will sit down for breakfast with your parents or other family members... you are one of the shrinking few who eats regularly with their families.
• If you have food on the table and clothes to wear to work or school... you are part of only 25% in this world who can afford such things.
• If you can read the newspaper on the way out... you are far better off than over two billion people in the world who are classified as illiterate.
• If you have money to withdraw from an ATM or change with which to buy some snacks or other luxuries... you belong to the select 10% humanity who have enough money for their daily needs.
• If you can bring out your cellphone and text your friends or family memebrs while at work or somehere else.. you are one of the lucky few who can afford electronic gadgets; it's estimated that up to 70% of the world's population still has no access to the latst telecommunication facilities.
• If you are able to hold your loved ones' hands, hug them or even touch them on the shouldre when you get home... you are lucky because so many people don't have a home of their own.
• And on weekends, if you go to a house of worship freely... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world who cannot.

I'm sure that after reading this, you, my dear teachers, feel truly blessed. Therefore, share such wonderful feeling by letting your students also know how truly blessed they have been.

HOW TO SELL YOUR IDEAS TO YOUR STUDENTS

Teachers are sales people. They may not sell tangibles but they definitely sell ideas. And often the challenge many teachers face is that they find it difficult to persuade their students to listen to them and eventually buy the ideas and/or activities they sell.

It is imperative, therefore, that every teacher be equipped with the needed persuasion skills to win students' attention and support and cooperation.

Here are five very simple steps to achieving this.

1. What's In It For Me? Always speak using the language of benefits. Present to your students the benefit/s they can earn out of listening to you, following your instruction and learning the concepts you teach. They will more likely to follow if they know exactly what's in it for them. Concentrate on their needs and wants and tie up your lessons and/or activities to that. One very good example is that after discussing a lesson on the four basic mathematical operation, ask your students to organize a classroom mini-fair where they can engage themselves in a buy and sell activity. This way, they will be able to make use of the math skills they've just learned.

2. Provide proof or evidences. Show your students that there are a number of people who became successful using the concepts you are teaching them. Speak from your and other people's experiences, provide testimonials, share biographies and other evidences that will convince them that you've gotten the best idea which they need to be successful in their endeavors.

3. Speak their language and act their way. Yes, students prefer to listen to teachers with whom they can relate. And they can only relate with you if you know their world: their language and their ways. Use terms that would be appealing to them and act as if you're one with them in spirit and in deed. Students do not want someone whom they can't reach, who is on a pedestal and a distant away. Reach out to your students so that they, too, will reach out to you by doing exactly what you tell them to do.

4. Be sincerely nice and concern. Don't be stingy when it comes to complimenting. Learn to sincerely compliment your students rather than criticize them a lot. Also, show how sincere you are in extending help to your students by the lessons you teach and the activities you're asking them to perform. When your students see these positive actions, they will be swayed to listen more and work harder.

5. Wear a beautiful smile. Don't forget to begin your lesson (selling) presentation with a smile on your face. This simple act goes a long way. It truly brightens up the day of your students, setting a more conducive atmosphere for interaction and learning. Remember, buyers will more like to buy from a sales person who appears friendly rather than from one who appears grumpy.

There you have it, the five real simple ways of selling your ideas to your students. What are you waiting for? Plan tomorrow's selling presentation now!

Top 10 Reasons Why to Teach

This beautiful article by Melissa Kelly which appeared in about.com summarizes the beauty there is in becoming a teacher.

For many, becoming a teacher is one boring and unrewarding career. However, we, teachers think otherwise. Read along and see the unparalled rewards of becoming a teacher.

Enjoy the article and if you are one great guy, consider becoming one of us --- a TEACHER, and reap the benefits of this great career (for many teachers, not just a career but a calling) !

Teaching is a special calling. It is not a job well-suited to everyone. In fact, many new teachers leave within the first 3-5 years of teaching. However, there are many rewards that come with this oft maligned career. Here are my top ten reasons why teaching can be a great profession.

1. Student Potential
Unfortunately, not every student will succeed in your class. However, this fact should not keep you from believing that every student has the potential for success. This potential is so exciting - each new year presents new challenges and new potential successes.

2. Student Successes
Closely related to the previous pick, student success is what drives teachers to continue. Each student who didn't understand a concept and then learned it through your help can be exhilarating. And when you actually reach that student that others have written off as being unteachable, this can truly be worth all the headaches that do come with the job.

3. Teaching a Subject Helps You Learn a Subject
You will never learn a topic better than when you start teaching it. I remember my first year teaching AP Government. I had taken Political Science courses in college and thought I knew what I was doing. However, the student questions just made me dig deeper and learn more. There is an old adage that it takes three years of teaching to truly master a subject and in my experience this is the truth.

4. Daily Humor
If you have a positive attitude and a sense of humor, you will find things to laugh about each day. Sometimes it will be silly jokes you will make up as you teach that might get a laugh from your students. Sometimes it will be jokes that kids share with you. And sometimes students will come out with the funniest statements without realizing what they've said. Find the fun and enjoy it!

5. Affecting the Future
Yes it might be trite, but it is true. Teachers mold the future each day in class. In fact, it is a sad fact that you will see some of these students more consistently day-to-day than their parents will.

6. Staying Younger
Being around young people everyday will help you remain knowledgeable about current trends and ideas. It also helps break down barriers.

7. Autonomy in the Classroom
Once a teacher closes that door each day and begins teaching, they really are the ones who decide what's going to happen. Not many jobs provide an individual with so much room to be creative and autonomous each day.

8. Conducive to Family LifeIf you have children, the school calendar will typically allow you to have the same days off as your kids. Further, while you might bring work home with you to grade, you will probably be getting home close to the same time as your children.

9. Job Security
In many communities, teachers are a scarce commodity. It is fairly certain that you will be able to find a job as a teacher, though you might have to wait until the start of a new school year and be willing to travel within your county/school district. While requirements might be different from state to state, once you have proven yourself a successful teacher, it is relatively easy to move around and find a new job.

10. Summers Off
Unless you work in a district that has a year-round-education system, you will have a couple of months off in the summer where you can choose to get another job, teach summer school, or just relax and vacation. Further, you typically get two weeks off during Christmas/Winter Holidays and one week for Spring Break which can really be a huge benefit and provide much needed rest time.

A Teacher's Story

"When I die, there is just one word that I want people to place in my tombstone... not my name, but just the word TEACHER. I want to be remembered by many only for one thing, that I am a teacher and forever I will be a teacher."

I was in a career exploration seminar in UP (University of the Philippines)many years ago when I heard one of the speakers delivered these lines. And I did wonder then what made this teacher say that. What she said struck me so much that even if many years had passed, I can still remember her lines (though I can't remember anymore her name nor the details to her story).

I believe what made her say that is actually embedded in this fictional story about a teacher who died and was sent to heaven (Some of you might have encountered this already.). For the many who haven't heard of this yet, let me then share with you this teacher's beautiful story.

There was this teacher who died and so was sent to heaven. Upon arriving at the gates of heaven, there were three other men who had been waiting for their turns to be interviewed by St. Peter (known as heaven's gatekeeper) and eventually be allowed entrance to heaven.

The teacher sat beside the three other men. He smiled at them and they smiled in return. A few moments passed, and St. Peter came out.

The first man was called and was asked by St. Peter, "What did you do with the life God had lent you?" The man said, "I was an engineer and built bridges and roads and buildings and homes, so that men may have shelter and means to be connected even if they live far from each other." "Very good," said St. Peter. You were a great man; therefore, enter the kingdom of God."

The second man was called and asked the same question. The man excitedly shared, "I was a doctor. I cured people of their illnesses and save thousands of lives." "Well done, Doctor. You were a great man; go and enter God's kingdom."

The third man was called and was asked the same question. This time, the man said with utmost enthusiasm, "I was a lawyer. And as a lawyer, I rendered my services for free to the poor ones and I won their battles in court." "Excellent. You were also a great man. Go and enter God's kingdom," said St. Peter.

While all the interviews were being conducted, the teacher was just quiet, but on his lips one would notice the beautiful smile which seemed to be coming from his fondness of the three men being interviewed and the answers they had in response to what St. Peter asked.

Now, it was the teacher's turn. He was called by St. Peter and was asked the same question. "Old man, what did you do with the life that God had lent you?" The old man smiled at St. Peter, and with great excitement, enthusiam and pride, he said, "I made no bridges or homes; I cured no man of any illness; and I won no case for any poor man in court. But if there was one thing I was truly proud of... I made them three (referring to the engineer, the doctor and the lawyer). I was their teacher!" "Excellent work, old man. You were indeed noble and worthy of honor. Go, enter the kingdom, and sit at God's right hand at the banquet He had long prepared for His noble children."

The three men were in awe hearing what the old man had said, and all together recognized their old teacher. They honored him and gave him thanks for making them the great men that they were.

The old man entered the gates of heaven with so much gladness in his heart, as his former students held him by the hand.

There you have it. What, therefore, made that teacher (who spoke at the university) say that? It was the beauty there is in teaching. Teaching is all about helping people: educating them, empowering them, and inspiring them, so that they get to accomplish the mission in life God has entrusted them.

With that, let me invite all of you, my dear teachers to say,"I'm truly proud to be a TEACHER --- I educate, I empower, I inspire!"

Help Students Achieve Their Goals

I'm back, and, yes, with new thoughts and advocacy. I'm into exploring the power of the mind to help me achieve my goals in life. I'm happy to say that it has paid quite well.

I will not be sharing with you yet my stories (I'm actually reserving that for another blogsite, but of course, I'll tell you when it's up!). But what I'll do is to share with you some of the lessons I learned from reading the works of mind masters and how these can be applied to our everyday work in the classroom.

Lesson 1

HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS IN LIFE

Help your students set goals for themselves and show them the way to successfully achieving these through these five simple steps I am recommending below.

Step 1. KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT

• Tell them to define in more specific terms what they want to achieve this quarter. Ask them to be as specific as possible. Remind them that they can never get anywhere if they do not exactly know where they want to go.
• Let them express their goals in the present tense and ask them to write these down in their notebook. The more specific the goal, the better.

Step 2. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU WANT

• Advise your students to positively focus on their goals as often as possible. When they wake up, when they fall asleep, during their spare time, they should think about their goals. Tell them that the power of their mind can work real well for them if only they will allow it through positive thinking.
• Ask them to picture in their minds that goal. The more vivid the picture, the better. Never let doubt or fear overshadow their desire for their goal. Warn them against thinking of what they don't want to happen. Thinking of the opposite will definitely work against them.

Step 3. TAKE ACTION NOW

• Yes, tell them that positively thinking about their goal will attract it toward them, but it is by doing simple steps that will let them receive it. They have to do the necessary steps to achieve their goals in life. Thay can always do something to propel their goals into becoming.
• It is imperative that they should take the action now, not tomorrow, but now. If everyday, they will do what they need to do toward achieving their goals, I can't see any reason why they will not achieve them. So, ask them to do it and do it now!

Step 4. CHOOSE THE SAME THING EVERYDAY

• Remind your students to be consistent until they have achieved their goals. They cannot send constantly changing vague wishes to the universe and expect positive results.
• Consistency is key to success. If they're undecided about what they want to order, the universe will serve first others who are more decisive as to what they want achieved.

Step 5. EXPRESS GRATITUDE

• Gratitude, according to mind masters, is the KEY to every successful man's success. Advise your students to stop complaining, instead continuously thank the universe for whatever they receive everyday. If they will just look harder, everyday, blessings come their way, brought about by people they meet and situations they are in. This is indeed great reason to be happy and grateful.
• Let them be sincerely thankful and joyful as they await the fulfillment of their goals.

These are indeed the five real simple steps to becoming successful in getting what one wants in life. And before even sharing it with your students, I would encourage you, my dear teachers, to try this one out yourself. See the magic this will bring to your life as it has brought to mine. Happy positive thinking!

SOMETHING WORTH SHARING WITH YOUR STUDENTS

Your students will definitely be amazed to know that there are a number of things that can be kept in the refrigerator besides food. And these are...

• Camera film will often stay fresh beyond its expiration date if it's kept in the refrigerator.


• Candles won't wilt and lose their shape in hot weatherif they're refrigerated. And if they're stored for 24 hours or more in the fridge, they won't drip when burned.


• Clothing that's been ruined by chewing gum can be saved if it's placed in the freezer compartment. This will turn the gum brittle and make it easy to remove with a knife.


• If you sprinkled clothes for ironing but don't have the time to finish pressing them, you can orevent the clothes from becoming mildewed by keeping them in a plastic bag inside the refrigerator.


• Hair coloring products lose some of their effectiveness in hot weather, but you can prolong their life by refrigerating them.


• Lipsticks will hold its shape longer if refrigerated. And lipstick that is melted can be reshaped after it's chilled


• Tulip bulbs will remain dormant until planting time if they're kept in the fridge. It's best to chill them for 60 days at 40 degrees before planting.


• Both flowers and vegetable seeds will stay fresh longer if they are stored inside a jar in the refrigerator.


• Cigarettes stay fresher and flashlight batteries keep longer when they're refrigerated.


• Refrigerated storage will also help perfume and cologne retain their fragrance longer, firm up soft soap and prevent shoe polish from drying out and hardening.

Source: The Pocket Book of Information (A Little of Everything) by C.S. Canonigo, 2001.

Commonly Overused Words (C-E)

As promised, here is the list of commonly overused words starting with C, D and E. And I trust that this will be of great help to you and your students in expressing yourselves clearly, correctly and precisely.

• CAUSE origin, stimulus, inspiration, motive
• CERTAIN unquestionable, incontrovertible, unmistakable, indubitable, assured, confident
• CHANGE alter, transform, vary, replace, diversify
• CHOOSE select, elect, nominate, prefer, identify
• DESCENT respectable, adequate, fair, suitable
• DEFINITELY unquestionably, clearly, precisely, positively, inescapably
• EASY effortless, natural, comfortable, undemanding, pleasant, relaxed
• EFFECTIVE powerful, successful
• EMPHASIZE underscore, feature, accentuate
• END limit, boundary, finish, conclusion, finale, resolution
• ENERGY vitality, vigor, force, dynamism
• ENJOY savor, relish, revel, benefit
• ENTIRE complete, inclusive, unbroken, integral
• EXCELLENT superior, remarkable, splendid, unsurpass, superb, magnificent
• EXCITING thrilling, steering, rousing, dramatic

Source: Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar (Communication in Action) Platinum Level