Newsletter Archives

Enhance Student Achievement through a Kaleidoscope of Learning Styles
February 2009
People process information in different ways and these differences bear a relationship to how students learn (Roebers & Schneider, 2005; Sousa, 2001). While everyone is capable of conceptualizing in both forms and organizing information in......

Self-Efficacy - Success Is a State of Mind
January 2009
Self-efficacy strengthens personal performance and well-being in many ways (Pajares & Schunk, 2001). Self-regulated learners “take responsibility for successes and failures, are intrinsically interested in the task, and have a high self-eff......

Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility
December 2008
One of PLS's most popular and practical courses is Successful Teaching for Acceptance of Responsibility Online. In this course, participants discover how to model behaviors centered around choice and self-responsibility. Successful Teaching for......

Choosing How To "Be"
November 2008
We make choices in our lives each time we decide, need, or have to do something. We may decide to go shopping, read a book, or watch television. We may need to correct papers or exercise. We may have to wait to make a big purchase until we can af......

Using Storyboards to Encourage Student Thinking and Participation
October 2008
Storyboards are visual organizers designed to bring out a class’s best thinking on a specific topic. Storyboards can be used for brainstorming sessions, planning, problem solving, organizing, or otherwise capturing thoughts in a visual and flexib......

How To Discover Students' Compelling Whys
September 2008
A compelling why is an emotionally linked reason or motive that drives us to want to do something. All of our conscious and unconscious reasons for being involved in the learning process—or doing most anything we do in life—can be considered comp......

Creating a Networking Wall to Balance Student Strengths and Struggles
August 2008
Did you know? There is a close connection between the classroom environment and student engagement and motivation (Ryan & Patrick, 2001). These effects were most evident when students are encouraged to work collaboratively with peers, belie......

Creating A Change
July 2008
"Minds on, hands on" instruction increases students’ perceptions that their teachers care about them (MacIver, Young, & Washburn, 2002). Student satisfaction is related to personal teacher-student relationships, innovative teachi......

The Three-Step Interview
June 2008
Respect grows when teachers value the emotions of students and their lives beyond the classroom walls (Wessler, 2003). By conveying respect for students, teachers create invitations to learn, enhancing student engagement, motivation, and achie......

A-Ha Moments
May 2008
"Books, to the reading child, are so much more than books. They are dreams and knowledge. They are a future and a past" –Esther Meynell, author, 1940 In our personal and professional lives, we have all experienced the joy of an A-Ha M......

Stress Management and Teacher Resiliency
April 2008
Teacher resilience is the key to successfully dealing with the stresses of the classroom (Bernshausen & Cunningham, 2001). When students sense their teachers care, they tend to put forth greater effort to reach their potential (Lumpkin, 20......

Ensuring Meaningful Classroom Activities
March 2008
Research shows There is little evidence that lessons requiring problem-solving, group planning, or carrying out projects are used widely in America’s schools (Stronge, 2002). What students are lacking in school today is not relevance but rathe......

The Groundwork for Motivating Students
February 2008
Research shows that teachers who successfully engage students incorporate activities that address students’ basic psychological and intellectual needs (Brewster & Fager, 2000). In conducting an extensive review of research on students’ nee......

First Step Toward Differentiated Instruction
January 2008
Research shows that students enter the classroom with a variety of abilities and interests, requiring that teachers employ a variety of learning options (Keefe & Jenkins, 2005; Yatvin, 2004). Research shows that excellent teachers rely on a......

The Benefits of Multisensory Teaching and Sensory Words
December 2007
Research shows that effective teachers make a conscious effort to design instruction that incorporates a broad variety of learning preferences beyond their own (Doolan & Honigsfeld, 2000; Sadler-Smith & Smith, 2004). Research shows that va......

The Power of Choice
November 2007
Research shows that self-regulation arises from students’ awareness that they can make choices in responding to their world and that they will be accountable for their choices (Rozendaal, Minnaert, & Boekaerts, 2005). Research shows that a......

Assessing Student Learning Styles with The Kaleidoscope Profile
October 2007
Research shows that in every classroom there is likely to be a mixture of preferences—students who are kinesthetic learners, tactual learners, auditory learners, and visual learners (Haggart, 2003; Walling, 2006). Research shows that teachers......

How to create enriching environments that enhance student learning.
September 2007
Research shows that it takes information, imagination, motivation, and effort to create an enriched environment (Diamond & Hopson, 1998). Research shows that the brain is malleable or plastic, continuing to grow new connections in response......

Use WebQuests to Motivate Your Students
August 2007
Research shows that WebQuests have been successfully incorporated across the curriculum at all grade levels and in a broad array of content areas (Crocco & Cramer, 2005). Research shows interactive multimedia instruction can increase stu......

A Successful Learning Equation
July 2007
Research shows that the feedback teachers provide students can shape their beliefs about their intelligence and ultimately their motivation and achievement (Dweck, 2002). Research shows that in recent years, many educators and researchers have......

Eight Potential Pathways for Learning
June 2007
Research shows that every student possesses some degree of all eight intelligences (Armstrong, 2000). Research shows that talented youth, who successfully develop their gifts, are those who immensely enjoy applying their competencies, particul......

Teach your students how to think, listen, learn, trust and communicate
May 2007
Research shows that emotional intelligence may be more important than traditional intelligence in determining life success (Goleman, Boyatzis, & McKee, 2002). Research shows knowledge workers (those who do more than provide information) re......

Ready, Set, Go and the Power of Live-Event Learning
April 2007
Research shows that student interest is an extremely powerful motivator (Fox 2005).Research shows that two essential factors are required of instructional strategies to hold students’ interest: meaningfulness of the task and active involvement......

Incorporate Socratic Seminars in your Classroom
March 2007
Research shows that teachers need to teach comprehension strategies, which are procedures that guide students in understanding what they read. Research on the effects of reading comprehension strategies has been conducted for thirty years and th......

Differentiated Instruction and Anchor Activities
February 2007
Differentiated Instruction and Anchor Activities Research shows that students perceive "flexibility" in thinking as an important factor in helping them learn to think more effectively (Kim, Grabowski, & Sharma, 2004). Students believ......

Incorporate Cooperative Learning in your Classroom
January 2007
Incorporate Cooperative Learning in your Classroom Research shows that achievement of success with cooperative learning results from students spending more time on task (Johnson & Johnson, 2003). Research shows cooperative learning activiti......

Integrating Technology and Teaching
December 2006
Integrating Technology and Teaching Research shows that in a survey of school technology coordinators, 57 percent believed that "In ten years, most students will spend at least part of their 'school days' in virtual classes, grouped online......

Motivating Students To Read
November 2006
Motivating Students to Read Research shows that when a text refers to things or concepts with which the reader has no familiarity, he or she will not comprehend the material. Films and television can help enlarge experience and supply vocabulary......

Create Classroom Momentum with Learning Centers
October 2006
Research shows students differ in their preferential modalities for processing information (Allen & Butler, 1996; Dunn, 1990; Gardner, 1986, 1993; James & Blank, 1991; Mayer & Massa, 2003). However, most teachers rely almost exclusi......

Refocus With Mind Skills
September 2006
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Alternatives to Lecture
August 2006
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Make Learning a "WOW" Experience
July 2006
Research shows that interest arises as much from how the teacher presents the material as from the topic itself (Russell, 1997). Research shows learning increases when students study materials that are interesting to them, and interesting mat......

Creating an Inviting Classroom Environment
June 2006
Research shows that when teachers model interpersonal concern, nurture student autonomy and self-direction, encourage student thinking, and facilitate student collaboration, they encourage the development of a sense of community in their classr......

Team Building Activities
May 2006
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Performance Tasks
April 2006
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Question Answer Relationship Strategy
March 2006
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Asking Open-Ended Questions
February 2006
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

A Proactive Approach to Classroom Management
January 2006
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Design a Safe, Motivating Learning Environment
December 2005
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Improve Reading Comprehension
November 2005
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Building a Classroom Community
October 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Brain-Based Energizers
September 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Assessing Through Multiple Intelligences
August 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Effective Goal-Setting
July 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

The Power of DeBriefing
June 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Establishing Effective Rules
May 2005
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Motivating All Learners
April 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Responding to Misbehavior
March 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Helping Students Avoid Procrastination
February 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Cooperative Starters
January 2005
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Phonological Awareness
December 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business pro......

Positive Student Confrontation
November 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Positive Nonverbal Communication
October 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Reaching Out To New Teachers
September 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Helping Your Students Achieve Concept Mastery
August 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

How To Be An E-learner
July 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Stress Reduction and Personal Renewal
June 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Celebrate Your Students
May 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Encouraging Students To Take Risks
April 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Humor In The Classroom
March 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Metaphors and Similies
February 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Effective Questioning
January 2004
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Live-Event Learning
December 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Multiple Intelligences
November 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Helping Students Manage Stress
October 2003
We at PLS extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and colleagues of those whose lives were lost in the September 11 tragedies in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by......

Supportive Communication
September 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Finding Credible Information Online
August 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Supporting Students As They Read
July 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Parent Involvement
June 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Raising Student Self-Responsibility
May 2003
This issue focuses on RAISING STUDENT SELF-RESPONSIBILITY. Performance Learning PLUS s a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, pro......

Celebrating Your Colleagues
April 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Intrinsic Student Motivation
March 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Effective Cooperative Learning
February 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Brain-based Puzzles
January 2003
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

How To Enhance Student Retention During A Lecture
December 2002
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Creativity In the Classroom
November 2002
Performance Learning PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......

Welcome to the PLS Performance Learning PLUS Newsletter
October 2002
PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services for educators and business pr......