If you've been teaching for any length of time, you will most probably have experienced the effects of one or more educational reform. One such way to attempt to reform education has been to change the way a typical school day and schedule is structured so that students have more class time in each particular class. This has typically been accomplished through the use of a 4X4 or Block Schedule. As many teachers have found, teaching under the block schedule can sometimes be challenging. That's why I've come up with a list of block schedule strategies to help you teach under the block schedule.

• More on the Block Schedule
• Educational Restructuring and Reform
• Year Round Education

Find daily starters for each major subject area including Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Use these to introduce a new topic or review key skills. Warm ups are a great way to get students started while the teacher finishes housekeeping tasks.

How much do you actually listen to your students? I know that many times I have heard what is being said but I haven't taken the time to truly listen. However, listening to your students is an important part of teaching. If you listen effectively it makes them feel important, thus making the learning process more beneficial. Further, listening can help diffuse classroom management situations before they come to fruition. This article demonstrates the importance of active listening to build a bond and trust between you and your students.

Active Listening Steps

This is the perfect time of year for goal setting instruction. Many people are making resolutions and setting goals for the New Year. As educators we can use this to our advantage. At this time of year we can provide an opportunity for our students to plan for the future and set some realistic goals.