THere is no reason not to talk about the brain even to elementary school age childre (of course on their level).  Look at Mel Levine's books where he talks about the idea of demystification and you will see how this can be done.

Does anybody have any ideas for a bulletin board on memory?  It's for elementary ages, so no brain or anything like that.

Thanks!

A new school year can start off slow for Resource Room teachers.  THe students need some time to get used to their classes before they are taken out to the Resource Room.  Does anybody have any ideas how to use this time productively before the Resource Room goes into full motion?

Rabbi Yaakov Aichenbaum
Scranton Hebrew Day School
yaakov@ybm.edu

An essential part of kriah instruction is the opportunity for each child to frequently practice kriah individually.  However, this often creates a situation in which students impatiently wait for their turn to read.  What can be done to minimize this idle time, increase student interest, and maximize the learning experience?

Rabbi Yaakov Aichenbaum
yaakov@ybm.edu
Scranton Hebrew Day School

Fourth grade is a year that many students start to have more difficulties in school.  The material becomes harder, more is expected from them both in quality & quantity, and less rote review is done in class.  What techniques do you have to help students make a smooth transition into the fourth grade and gradually help them to take more responsibility for their academic achievement?
Rabbi Yaakov Aichenbaum
Scranton Hebrew Day School
yaakov@ybm.edu

I would like to state two basic premises regarding the growing problem of bullying. In whatever way possible all schools should communicate to their students that school is a place that they should feel safe physically and emotionally. A method in which students feel comfortable communicating their worries and concerns should be implemented. Secondly if we are able to identify a student who bullies, we must handle it carefully. Why does this child bully? Is he angry about something? Is he a good student? Is his homelife one of shalom bayis? One thing is certain, this student displays negative behavior for a reason and it is our job along with the parents and other professionals to try and unravel this mystery.
Gershon Zeffren
Chinuch.org Forum Moderator

I would like to share some resource seforim that you might find helpful. In terms of Chumash there is a set of seforim that contain Rav Neventzhal\'s brilliant explanations. On Navi there is a remarkable set of seforim on Yehoshua, Shoftim and part of Shmuel Aleph entitled Parshiyos Bisifrei Hanivim. On Nach, a remarkable set of seforim entitled  Hatorah Hatemimah can be very helpful for preparation. Regarding Jewish History, two wonderful books were recently published by Rabbi Berel Wein; Oral Law of Sinai covers the period of the Mishnah, Vision and Valor covers the period of the Gemara. Rav Schwab has a breathtaking sefer on Teffilah.

Rabbi Gershon Zeffren
Chinuch.org Forum Moderator

Dear Rabbi Presberg,
Teaching elementary school students Jewish History is so important. I feel that the teaching of this topic should start when they begin learning Navi. This is to avoid the common confusion regarding understanding the difference between the periods covered in Chumash  and the periods covered in Nach. For example, when they start learning Navi that is a wonderful time to study the period of the Shoftim. In my years of teaching Historia I have found that the order of events is more important than remembering specific years. Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Klein, of Torah Umesorah Publications recently published Bimeshach Hadoros- The Flow of the Generations. This booklet contains a great overview of Jewish History. Also make use of the other wonderful Historia materials by Rabbi Haber published by Torah Umesorah Publications.
Hatzlacha. 
Gershon Zeffren
Chinuch.org Forum Moderator

teaching mishlei for the first time.
my principal wants me to cover it straight not like th ecurriculums posted here. anyone has any tips/advice?

HI, Can you email me the stories as well? thank you. karni.goldfield@gmail.com