Just think of Principal Ideas as a virtual show-and-tell for principals. Each week in the coming school year we'll present four or five new principal-tested ideas. Send in your idea today! See the sidebar to learn how to be part of Principal Ideas.
|
Building Scavenger Hunt
I begin each staff meeting with a team-building game. One example is a Building Scavenger Hunt. Each grade-level team hunts for the same ten things. The first team to return to the meeting with all ten items earns a special prize or extra planning time. I make all prizes good, and practical. Be sure to include special teachers; assign each one to a team. Set the rules in advance. For example, will team members have to stick together and plan their course, or will you allow them to create an action plan that has them all going off in different directions in search of specific items?
Thanks for this idea go to Nkenge A. Bergan, Lakeview Middle School, Battle Creek, Michigan
Staff Showcase
A display case in our front hallway showcases two or three different staff members every eight days. The display includes short articles written from questions asked of staff members as well as photos of the staff members and/or families, their weddings, pets, hobbies Objects and artifacts are included too. A teaching assistant is in charge of the display; it was she who suggested the idea to one of our school committees. All staff are included -- bus drivers, cafeteria ladies, custodians as well as teachers and assistants.
Thanks for this idea go to Nancy Moga, Callaghan Elementary School, Covington, Virginia
The Morning After
The morning after an evening family event at school, I make a special point during morning announcements to thank all staff members who attended and made the event so successful. Teachers appreciate the special recognition of their extra effort, and the announcements can also serve as a little bit of peer pressure for staff members who might not have attended.
Thanks for this idea go to Renee N. Selix, Lathers Elementary School, Garden City, Michigan
Principals Word of the Week
In my weekly email to the staff, I send a Vocabulary Word of the Week. I provide a brief definition of the word, its pronunciation, and two sentences with the word in it. Teachers share the Word of the Week with students and ask them to illustrate one of the two sentences. Teachers turn in to me the students vocabulary illustrations, which are posted on a Principals Word of the Week bulletin board outside my office.
Thanks for this idea go to Lisa B. Lucius, North Pontotoc Elementary School, Ecru, Mississippi
Education World® Editor-in-Chief
Copyright © 2009 Education World
 |
|
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and receive
top education news, lesson ideas, teaching tips and more!
No thanks, I don't need to stay current on what works in education!
COPYRIGHT 1996-2016 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
COPYRIGHT 1996 - 2025 BY EDUCATION WORLD, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.