We all know that teaching is a beautiful chaos. From lesson plans and grading to meetings and extracurricular activities, staying organized can feel like trying to herd cats. Enter Google Keep—your new best friend in the quest for classroom serenity. Here’s how this nifty tool can help you stay on top of everything with a smile.
Read MoreCreating a positive and inspiring classroom environment is essential for fostering student growth, motivation, and well-being. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by surrounding students with positive messages and things they love.
Read MoreOur brains, having evolved for higher-order thinking and reasoning, require a sense of safety to access these capacities. When we feel threatened, our brains prioritize survival over learning, focusing on fight, flight, or freeze responses. This fundamental principle still applies today: for effective learning to occur, students need to feel safe both physically and emotionally.
Read MoreRacial injustices in America and around the world show the increasing inequalities which simply cannot go unnoticed or ignored anymore. I am routinely floored by people when they are presented with visual and factual information of historically preserved inequities and yet, somehow, still believe that racism doesn’t exist in the world and how some contribute and benefit from the system.
Read MoreTeaching is a noble profession, often described as a calling rather than just a job. Some might argue that this sentiment is used to justify not compensating teachers according to their expertise and educational level. However, it's no secret that many teachers leave the profession within the first five years. Understanding the reasons behind this exodus is crucial to addressing the issue and improving teacher retention. Let's delve into why so many teachers quit and explore potential solutions to ensure that more educators thrive in their careers.
Read MoreIn the ever-evolving landscape of education, the importance of effective reading instruction cannot be overstated. As teachers, we're constantly seeking ways to improve our methods, and an enlightening article by Natalie Wexler sheds light on a critical aspect of literacy education—building students' background knowledge in the early grades.
Read MoreIn this blog post, we'll explore the insights shared by Daniel T. Willingham in his article "Beyond Comprehension" and how they can reshape our approach to teaching reading.
Read MoreAs educators, we often find ourselves grappling with the question, "What does disciplinary literacy actually look like in my content area?" Teaching literacy skills for real-life applications can be challenging, but fear not! In this blog post, we'll delve into the insightful work of ReLeah Cossett Lent, offering you a guide to navigate the world of disciplinary literacy and empower your students.
Read MoreIf we want our students to become better readers, we need to begin to provide them with texts that are more challenging for them. Matching students with texts at their reading level does little to challenge students. However, when we provide students with a text that is at grade level, or even above their grade level, and we challenge our students while also working along side them to delve into the text and understand that text, now we are building competency. This evidence based approach helps students to read, struggle, and ultimately comprehend more complex texts.
Read MoreThe integration of ambient music and screens in the classroom offers a holistic approach to enhancing the learning experience. From improving concentration to fostering creativity and reducing stress, these elements contribute to a more positive and inclusive educational environment.
Read MoreThe evolving landscape of student behavior, especially in a post-pandemic era, has prompted us to delve deeper into the factors influencing these shifts. Beyond the commonly cited culprits like screen time and socialization, there lies a fascinating connection between problem behaviors and cognitive challenges. In this blog post, let's explore insights from the ASCD article "What's Behind the Rise in Problem Behavior? It Could Be Cognitive," shedding light on how understanding cognitive factors, specifically executive function and memory, can empower teachers to navigate and enhance student behavior.
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