Beth's Elementary Education Blog

Nobody's perfect. But if you've spent the summer reflecting upon what worked well and what didn't in your classroom last year, you surely will be making some corrections as the new school year starts.

I also recommend checking out these Top Ten Teaching Mistakes so you'll make sure to avoid some of the big teaching doozies that can really sabotage your effectiveness in the classroom.

Did I miss any? What improvements are you hoping to make this year?

It's natural for young students to get nervous about the first day of school. My colleague Elizabeth Kennedy recommends a list of Children's Books for the First Day of School that will help alleviate your young students' anxieties.

My favorite book to read on the first day has long been First Day on a Strange New Planet. My third graders have always loved the lighthearted, whimsical nature of the story, and I've enjoyed the way it sets their minds at ease on day one.

What book do you read with your students on the first day of school?

Once you've visited our Forum and matched up with a partner Pen Pal class, it's time to think about how you will design and implement your program in order to maximize fun, results, and efficiency.

The key to making Pen Pals a helpful teaching tool in your classroom, and minimizing the hassle, lies in understanding the key elements of designing a Pen Pal program, being organized, and communicating clearly with your partner teacher. Also, keep up your end of the bargain by honoring your commitments. Well run, a Pen Pal program will teach your students a world of relevant lessons - on topics ranging from Language Arts, Social Studies, Geography, and more!

Every summer, teachers all over the world flock to the Pen Pal section of our Forum to pair up and create Pen Pal programs for the upcoming school year.

It's simple, really. Peruse the posts and see if anyone matches your grade level, number of students, and any other special requirements. If so, reply and take it from there. If not, create a post of your own (be specific!) and it won't be long before your perfect match finds you.

It's a good idea to start this process early (in other words, now) so that you have the best chances of matching up with another teacher and so that you can organize the program before the new school year starts.

Holding students back, flunking, repeating a grade... we all know the terms. But does holding a student back do more harm than good? Or is the practice of "social promotion" the real evil here?

The New York Times examines a program called The Gift of Time that puts an end to social promotion and offers perks such as tutoring and an extra field trip. The program follows a pared-down curriculum and spends an extra $2,000 per student.

But some education experts don't approve of this strategy, for a variety of reasons.

What are your thoughts on holding students back?

Are you interviewing for a teaching job this summer? If so, I highly recommend that you prepare to be asked these common interview questions before the big day.

I compiled this list based on my own experiences on both sides of the interview table. Veteran educators, did I miss any big ones?

New York Times columnist David Brooks is trying to figure out whether presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is truly a reformer? Or is he a status quo guy?

In Sunday's column, Brooks examines Obama's record on education policy to answer this question.

In the end, Brooks finds that while Obama's policies are more defined than his opponent's, they bear the trademarks of traditional political maneuvering.

Teachers, which candidate do you think would do the most to change education policy in the U.S.?

New teachers will often be required to write out their lessons in the proper lesson plan format. Can you name the 8 steps of a lesson plan?

If not, freshen up your memory and make sure you include each of the parts in your teaching, even if no one's asking you to explicitly write it out.

Summer is the perfect opportunity to clear out your classroom and here are some helpful tips to help you do it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

When going through your cupboards, the most important question to ask is: When was the last time I used this item? If it hasn't been used in the prior school year, pass it on to a colleague who will be more apt to use it.

What books are on your nightstand (or in your beach bag) this summer?

If you're recovering from a rough year, I recommend Not Quite Burned Out, but Crispy Around the Edges: Inspiration, Laughter, and Encouragement for Teachers.

And just for fun, I think you should pick up the new David Sedaris book When You Are Engulfed in Flames

Any other recommendations, teachers?