SECOND CHANCE Chelmsford, Mass., high school math teacher Robert Bradman gives struggling students a second chance by offering them a contract for improvement. The students agree to show him their daily homework efforts (or another area that needs attention) and in exchange Bradman doubles the weight of all the remaining grades for the term. “This puts more emphasis on future opportunities and can substantially raise their grades,” he notes.

SERVING SIZE? Let your students investigate the number of servings listed on a cereal box, suggests Paul Blundin of Wallingford, Pa. Provide the whole class or small groups with boxes of cereal, resealable sandwich bags and measuring cups. Compare the number of servings listed on the box with actual servings, measured into individual bags, and record the findings.

PARTY TIME Let your students plan and give the next class party, suggests third-grade teacher Diane Axtell of Dimmitt, Texas. She appoints two committees—food and entertainment. The first takes responsibility for food, drinks and tableware; the second chooses games for the whole class and is responsible for teaching and leading the games, as well as providing materials.

NO NAME? Tired of spending time figuring out who the “no name” papers belong to? Attach a highlighter to your “turn-in” bin, suggests third-grade teacher Staci Killgren of Nashua, N.H. Students must highlight their names on their papers before turning them in—a quick and easy solution to an endless problem, notes Killgren.

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