A life lesson that teachers can help students learn across the curriculum is that of effective goal setting. Goal setting begins with dreams that can then be turned into general goals. However, many students and adults for that matter get stuck at this general goal stage. For example, they might make a goal to go to Europe someday. However, until this goal is made specific, the likelihood of it being achieved is seriously reduced.

Instead, students need to be taught to write great specific goals. They then need to break larger goals down to manageable steps and apply target dates to those steps. Students who follow through with this and apply it to something they really want to achieve will be amazed at how simple and effective goal setting can be.

Goal Writing Resources

• Goal Writing: Begin With Dreams
• Writing Great Goals
• Specific Goals Worksheet

How do you know if the school where you are teaching is the right one for you? How can you tell before you even take a job there? What are some of the key characteristics of effective schools? Here is my list of the top 10 characteristics of a quality school.

Fire drills are a part of every teacher's life. In order for a fire drill to be effective while causing the least headaches for you, you will want to make sure that you plan ahead and remain in control. Here is a list of the top actions you can take to prepare for and lead during a fire drill.

New teachers are warned against giving lectures all the time. However, it is important to note that there is a time and a place for a good lecture. With that said, however, most lectures can benefit from the addition of questions leading to a Group Discussion situation. I've written two articles that look at the pros and cons of both lectures and discussions. Hopefully each of these can help you as you make choices for lesson plans throughout the year.

• Lectures: Pros and Cons
• Whole Group Discussions: Pros and Cons