The important thing to know is this: the issue isn’t caused by the file or the creator. It’s actually a printing and software glitch.

This problem usually happens because of outdated printer settings, browser settings, or not using the correct program (like Adobe Acrobat Reader) to open the PDF. In other words, the resource itself is fine… it’s your computer or printer struggling with how the graphics are rendered!

If you’re not up for updating your programs or changing computer settings, one quick fix may just be to open the file on another computer and print it there. You could try printing from home, or printing it at your school/workplace, depending on where you’re encountering this issue.

If you’d prefer to solve the issue once and for all – read on!

How to Solve the Black Box Printing Error

Step 1: Update Adobe Acrobat Reader

Make sure you’re using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader instead of your computer’s default preview app or a web browser. This step alone fixes the issue for many people.

Step 2: Change Print Settings

If updating doesn’t solve it:

1. Open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
2. Go to File → Print.
3. Click Advanced.
4. Check the box that says Print as Image.
5. Select OK, then click Print.

Instructions for Mac Users

If you use the Mac program “Preview” to open your files, here are a few things to try:

Step 1: Check for Updates

Make sure macOS and Preview are both up to date, since older versions sometimes have rendering glitches.

Step 2: Export a New Copy

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Go to File → Export as PDF and save a new copy.
3. Try printing from the newly exported file.

Step 3: Try Opening With Adobe Acrobat Reader

Bypass Preview and use Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free program you can download for your Mac).

To open in Adobe Acrobat Reader, right-click (or hold + Command + click) the PDF → choose Open With → Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Conclusion

Technology is wonderful when it works, but glitches like this remind us it isn’t always perfect. Luckily, fixing the black box printing issue is simple once you know the steps. Keep this guide handy so your next print job comes out looking just as its supposed to!

The post Fixing the Black Box Printing Problem appeared first on Teacher Resource Cabin.

A well-structured curriculum is the cornerstone of any homeschool program. All lessons should align with success criteria directly linked to curriculum expectations.

However, this is easier said than done, given the numerous curriculum expectations for each strand and the multiple strands for each subject. So, how do you start structuring a homeschool program?

Starting Out

Homeschool regulations are governed by provincial jurisdictions, with each province having its own Education Act and Regulations. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the homeschooling expectations and rules in your province or territory. Homeschooling is permitted across Canada. In Ontario, you can transition your child to homeschool learning by informing the local school board with a letter of intent. Other provinces have varying requirements, so be sure to check your local regulations.

Networking

Developing a comprehensive homeschool program can be challenging, but many social media platforms allow you to connect with others in the same situation. These groups are invaluable for sharing ideas, plans, and resources, reducing your workload.

Social media also helps you find homeschooling families in your community, offering opportunities for your children to connect and socialize with peers.

Using Teacher Resource Cabin Resources

Teacher Resource Cabin offers stand-alone resources perfect for homeschool settings. No textbooks or external materials are required. Their workbooks cover main subject areas such as math, language, science, and social studies. The content is presented in grade-level appropriate language, making it ideal for self-directed learning.

Assessment is integrated into these workbooks through quizzes, experiments, activities, culminating tasks, and tests. These educational materials are designed with both homeschooling parents and teachers in mind.

Here are some of the main subject areas covered:

The post Canadian Homeschooling Basics: Start here first! appeared first on Teacher Resource Cabin.

Life as a first-year teacher can be both exciting and overwhelming. It is a rewarding profession that does not come without its challenges. We have included some tips for beginning your teaching profession below. It is not an exhaustive list, but it can help you take a step in the right direction if you are beginning a career in education.

Networking

Surround yourself with positive teachers and focus on developing relationships. Networking with other teachers can provide you with useful tips and most teachers are very friendly and more than willing to answer any questions. Chances are that as a new teacher, you are working on developing a bank of resources to use with your students. This can be challenging especially if you are doing LTO positions and switching teaching positions year after year. Networking with teachers and joining social media groups is a great way of sharing and accessing new resources. We have some freebies on our TPT store that may help you in your lesson planning.

Find a Mentor

Choose your mentor wisely. Veteran teachers have accumulated years of experiences. Mentors can help you prepare for your teacher appraisals. A mentor may be willing to allow you to observe them teach which can be a valuable learning experience.

Ask Questions

On the note of networking, don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is completely normal to have thousands of questions as a new teacher. Even experienced teachers consult their colleagues for advice. There are many things to learn as a new teacher, including learning how to write report cards, responding to or making parent phone calls, and how to address classroom management concerns. These questions are completely valid. Everyone was a first-year teacher at the beginning of their career.

Don’t Sweat It

Remember that you can never expect perfection, especially during your first few years of teaching. Teaching is a dynamic job with many challenges. There will constantly be new faces, new challenges, and learning opportunities. Having a growth mindset can help ensure that both you and your students are learning from mistakes. Although it has its difficulties, teaching is a rewarding profession. Educators get to witness their students grow both socially and emotionally. You are providing students with the skills they need to succeed.

Enjoy Yourself

Remember that teaching is one aspect of your life, but not the only one. Take time to enjoy yourself. Whether it’s hiking, reading, playing video games, or watching Netflix, make sure to set time aside time every day to do something you enjoy. Don’t feel guilty about it either. This time should be non-negotiable. You can’t effectively care for your students without taking care of yourself.

The post Don’t Sweat It: Tips for First-Year Teachers appeared first on Teacher Resource Cabin.

Teaching in a global pandemic has definitely been a challenging time for students, teachers, support staff, and administration. Teachers often work long hours to find ways of meeting their classroom needs in an ever-changing classroom environment. In the case of virtual learning, many teachers struggle to find a balance between their work and at-home life while delivering instruction from home. Many teachers care for children and family at home, in addition to other life commitments alongside their jobs. Teachers must ensure their own mental health is in check to best support their students and those around them. We have included some tips for setting boundaries so teachers can make time for self-care.

Establish Boundaries

It is very easy to get caught up in a day of teaching, making it difficult to know when it is the right time for a break. Establishing boundaries is important for ensuring you have much-needed rest so that you are recharged for a new day.

Tips for setting boundaries

1. Schedule student support and marking for specific hours of the day – You can still support students without being available 24/7. If offering extra help, let students and parents know. This is also an opportunity to inform them about where and how support can be accessed. When marking, try to avoid distractions such as a phone or social media. Using your time efficiently can guarantee “me time” later in the day.
2. Avoid checking emails at night – In most cases, it is unprofessional to respond to emails late at night anyway. Instead, check your emails in the morning when you are ready to start a new day with a clear, well-rested mind. At first, you may feel impulses to check your mail. Don’t do it! Eventually, you will begin to see the benefit of disconnecting. It doesn’t make you a bad teacher.
3. Disable work email notifications on your cell phone. This goes hand-in-hand with avoiding emails late at night. The last thing you want is to be doing is pondering a work email at 3:00 a.m. because of a notification you received before bed. It can be nearly impossible to disengage yourself from work when receiving emails to your phone.
4. Always use a school phone or block your personal phone number when making phone calls. This is important for setting boundaries as well as your own personal privacy. When teaching remotely, disable your Caller ID in your phone settings or dial *67 to hide your number when calling.
5. Schedule “me time” every day. Just like every other part of your teacher schedule, dedicating time for your own personal enjoyment and relaxation is a must. This should be mandatory every day. If you don’t allow yourself this time, it will be easy for other boundaries to slip away too. It’s important for teachers to model habits and routines that promote mental health too. “Me time” is something that both students and teachers should schedule every day.

In some situations, it can be difficult to establish some of these boundaries, particularly if it is out of your normal routine. Boundaries are an important step to maintain a positive attitude towards your work and to avoid teacher burnout. These suggestions can be a foundation for creating healthier work habits.

The post Work-Life Balance: Tips for Teachers appeared first on Teacher Resource Cabin.

Many students have never been formally taught how to properly format or write an email, which often leads to teachers receiving some questionable messages.

All teachers can agree: 2020 has been a challenging year in education. The global pandemic has introduced a host of new issues that teachers have never had to deal with before. Masks, social distancing, and constant handwashing and disinfecting have become the norm. The struggles of being a teacher during a global pandemic are not limited to those in the classroom. Distance learning, also known as e-learning or blended learning, has its own set of challenges.

Many distance learning environments feature a brief daily synchronous component, followed by an asynchronous or homework component. This means that students only have a few hours each day to communicate with their teacher. The convenience of raising a hand to ask a question or lining up at the teacher’s desk for feedback on an assignment is no longer available for many students in a distance learning environment.

So, how are students communicating with their teachers?

Apart from the synchronous component, which usually lasts only a couple of hours at most, students communicate with their teachers and peers through email or a class website.

Writing appropriate emails is incredibly important, especially for teens preparing to enter the workforce or seek summer employment. Students need to learn how to properly communicate with employers, teachers, and other professionals.

There are many reasons why proper and formal email communication is important:

• To submit a resume and cover letter to an employer
• To submit an assignment online to a teacher
• To ask a teacher a question about the grading of an assignment
• To contact a college or university about the status of an application

Oftentimes, students write questionable emails without realizing their mistakes.

Fortunately, educators have the power to teach these important skills to 21st-century learners. The importance of professional email and online communication is only going to grow as e-learning becomes more prevalent and more employers offer work-from-home opportunities.

Key areas of focus in an email etiquette lesson include:

• Creating a professional email address, e.g., d.smith@sample.com instead of fortniteking42@sample.com
• Writing clear yet concise subject lines
• Proper salutations at the beginning and end of emails
• Appropriate fonts and colors
• Other writing tips (tone, proofreading, attaching files, and professionalism)

If you’re looking for a way to teach all these skills and more, please check out our Email Etiquette resource. It is a fully digital activity—perfect for distance learning but also appropriate for the classroom.

Best wishes to all teachers in this upcoming school year!

The post Edit twice, Send once: Teaching Email Etiquette to Students appeared first on Teacher Resource Cabin.

Back-to-school means back-to-routines, right? Right! However, there may be a learning curve when it comes to getting students back in to their routines, especially after they have been out of them for a summer (or, in the case of 2020, for about 6 months!)

This is part of the summer slide. The summer slide refers to knowledge that kids lose, usually in reading and math, over the summer break. A study in 2015 showed that students in grade 3 to grade 5 lost, on average, about 20% of their school year gains in reading and 27% of their school-year gains in math over their summer vacation. Younger children are likely more prone to this slide because they are in an important stage of their development and just getting into the routine of school.

So, how can you help your students find routine after a summer of fun? Consider these three tips:

1. Make mornings predictable

Students always love to know what’s coming next. As a teacher, you can make their mornings predictable by doing the same thing every morning (hint: It doesn’t have to be boring!) By following a routine each morning, students will know what to expect and be able to get their day started independently.

We love using daily bell work writing prompts. These prompts are fun and get students writing first thing in the morning. Check out these writing prompts for Grade 1-3, Grade 4-5, and Grade 6-8.

2. Give a “heads-up” before transitions

When you have a schedule, you have to keep everyone on track. This means that students are sometimes interrupted when they’re doing their work because it’s time to move on to the next activity. To gently ease students from activity to activity, try to give a “heads-up” before transitions. This can be as simple as, “Class, you have five minutes left before we move on,” or you can get creative!

Music works wonders as a transition. Playing a song can notify students that their time is almost up. Songs have natural transitions- you can usually tell when a song is coming to an end. Try an instrumental song if you don’t want to break their concentration.

3. Give students time to socialize

If you’re finding your students won’t stop talking… let them talk! This can be difficult when you do have a tight schedule to follow. However, at the beginning of the year especially, it is important for students to have time to talk with their peers and catch up.

Find ways to put conversation time with peers into your daily schedule. One way this could be done is with an afternoon meeting. As students are coming back from lunch, have them sit with a buddy and chat. You could give a discussion topic (related to something you’re learning about, or not) or just watch the conversation flow naturally. You could let students pick their partner or assign partners to let students get to know everyone in their class.

All of these ideas will help get your students into a routine before you know it. Even if you aren’t headed back to the classroom yet, you can be applying all of these tips during distance learning, too!

The post 3 Ways to Set a Classroom Routine appeared first on Teacher Resource Cabin.