Have you heard the popular saying “Do Not Judge a Book by Its Cover?” It is absolutely correct but only on a more profound level. Sometimes it does not apply, especially when you are looking to buy textbooks. So, here are 5 things to look out for when buying textbooks, before you even consider their contents.

5 things to look for when buying textbooks

• Binding– The binding is what holds the textbook together. A poor binding will mean that the textbook is not durable and may not stand the test of time especially in the hands of children. Make sure that the textbook opens up properly without the binding breaking and that the pages do not come off with little pressure.

• Print quality– This is a textbooks overall look and presentation. Check if it is neatly trimmed? Is the colour vibrant and consistent? Are you encouraged to pick it up just by looking at it? Does the cover page have the right picture or illustrations? All these are features put in place to ensure that the textbook appeals to the category of users it is designed for.

• Paper quality– You have probably used or come across a textbook that tore at the slightest flip of a page. Simply flipping through the pages will show whether it is made with quality paper. It should be easy to thumb through, right on if needs be and withstand possible pressure.

• Legibility of text– With the rise in eye deficiencies it is important pick a textbook that is clear and easy to read. Pay attention to the fonts, colouring, spacing, paragraphing, clarity and margination. Consider the users and their different sight conditions. So, make sure that the text a bold and bright enough for everyone to read with ease.

• Page numbering– For ease of use, it is important that the pages of textbooks are numbered accurately. Check that the numbering is clear and placed in a part of the textbook where it can be spotted easily.

Okay, now you are ready to buy the right textbooks with these 5 things to look out for. Visit our catalogue and take your pick.

Back to School Icebreakers are a great way to get the pupils back in the school spirit. Besides, icebreakers also help the pupils feel comfortable in their new classroom. First day at a new school. New class. New teacher. Possibly, new classmates. We all experience first-day jitters in small or large doses. The way the first day of resumption goes can set a tone for the rest of the year. Clearly, it is very important to make a good first impression.

As teachers, this first impression is often dependent on how well you welcome your pupils to your classroom. This you can achieve by using fun icebreakers, and we have some ideas.

6 Back to School Icebreakers

Ø Introduce yourselves- Learning names is a good way to settle in. Introduce yourself and say something interesting about yourself. Let each pupil take turns to do this too. Want to make it fun? Make it more engaging, for example, ask the next person to recall the name of the person who went before them.

Ø Set goals- Goals are a great way to get the pupils back in the school spirit after the long vacation. You can have a brief talk about why setting goals is important. Encourage them to set achievable goals for the session. Make it fun by creating a time capsule. Subsequently, the goals that they have written should then be put in and closed to be opened again at the end of the school year. The time capsules can be made out of old jars or pringle containers.

Ø Class rules- You already have your basic class rules drawn out. Here, you discuss with the pupils the class rules and penalties for breaking them. Pupils are more interested in keeping rules that they feel like they came up with. Give examples and let the kids come up with suitable penalties for them.

Ø “Find someone who”- Play a game of “find someone who”. Give the pupils tasks like, find someone who is left-handed. Find someone who was born in august. Find someone who has an older brother, etc. This is a mingling exercise that allows the pupils to get to know themselves in a fun way.

Ø Analog Instagram- You can create an Instagram inspired template printed out on a sheet of paper. Have your pupils draw and colour their answers in. This allows you to get to know your pupils better and gives you insight into their personalities. Alternatively, you could, prepare questions and have the pupils fill in their answers. This is what they should look like.

Ø Class Family Picture- Pictures are a fun way to create a sense of belonging to the class, just like a family picture. Have the pupils come in with small-sized pictures they like. Under each picture let the pupils’ name and favourite colour, birthday or food be written. Afterwards, put each picture on a single cardboard sheet which is used to decorate the classroom. Look here for inspiration.

Use these back to school icebreakers and be sure to have a great school year. Your pupils will be excited and enthusiastic to be in school and to achieve their set goals.

January is in full swing and schools have resumed for the year, it’s also that time when everyone keeps the hope to commit to certain new year’s resolutions.

As an educator, you can also use the New Year to resolve to do better in your engagements with your students and profession.

Here are 7 new year’s resolutions teachers can implement:

• Resolve to enjoy your students: spend more one-on-one time with your students, and also come up with group activities that involve your participation.
• Create a work-life balance: Classroom engagement might be draining and it might take all of your time so much so that you begin to spend less time with friends and family. This year, be conscious about creating time for friends and family and also take time out to relax.
  You can also cut down your ‘homework’ to not exceed more than 2-3 hours after school hours. Be sure to leave time and energy in the day to take care of yourself physically and mentally.
• Bring Order to the Classroom: Be deliberate and consistent with classroom management and organization.
• Introduce technology to the classroom: learn about innovative ways to integrate technology in the classroom. This might just be all the magic you need to turn your classroom around. YouTube is a great place where you can find great ideas about simple technology to use in your teaching.

• Connect with your students and encourage them in their learning: Help your students to enjoy learning and also help them have a sense of importance in the everyday activities of the classroom.
• Include fitness into your Extracurricular activities: integrate health and fitness into your classroom activities by including things like healthy eating lessons, and simple exercise to your curriculum. At intervals, during class, you can initiate little movements throughout the classroom to keep attention sharp and reduce boredom. Also, encourage your students and yourself to take better care of your bodies.
• Work on self-improvement and moving up the salary scale: This might require you to take certain short courses or even change position or change jobs. In all, work towards earning better this year

You may also like: Simple Teacher Classroom Organization Hacks To Prepare For A New Year

Creative imagination and critical thinking are among the most important qualities that young people need to flourish, especially in the twenty-first century. Creativity helps with problem-solving, contributes to finding fulfilment in life, and gives us a sense of purpose.

It is important to motivate students in their creative endeavours and help nudge their creative potentials in order to come up with forward-leaning and progressive ideas. Also, it is important that educators pay attention to students creative abilities and help them light the bulb of their creativity.

Tips to Encourage Students Creativity

These are some tips that teachers can use to encourage creative and out-of-the-box thinking in their students:

• Discuss with students on their creative abilities and the things that fascinate them.

• Tell students to write or tell you about their creative strength and what they think you can do to help them. This article on learning styles might help.

• Create an empathetic and warm classroom environment.

• Affirm the validity of students’ ideas. Do not give them the impression that their idea isn’t good enough, but work together with them to develop and shape their ideas. Read here how to communicate with them effectively.

• Assignment should have a creative aspect and direction. It should inspire individual creative thinking.

• Give feedback to your students concerning their projects and exercises.

• Utilize creative teaching materials and devices, models, strategies and methods.

• Encourage collaborative learning methods and processes.

• Read more on ways to improve creativity in your classroom.