I was talking to my middle school students about their busy lives. Many of my students have a full day… Read more More Class Balance Means Less Student Stress
Category: Best Practices
Using Memes to Check Understanding
I was doing a lesson on medieval Japan and I wanted to check student understanding on a particular idea. We… Read more Using Memes to Check Understanding
Hidden Curriculum: What Are You Really Teaching?
According to the Ministry of Education for the Province of Alberta, Canada, curriculum is the what that students need to… Read more Hidden Curriculum: What Are You Really Teaching?
How Growth Mindset Changed My Frigid, Rigid Ways
My professional philosophy of education changed forever on the day I learned of the Growth Mindset concept by Carol Dweck.… Read more How Growth Mindset Changed My Frigid, Rigid Ways
In Assessment, Zero Can Still Be a Hero
According to grade guru Ken O’Connor, in his book A Repair Kit for Grading, “grades are broken when they include… Read more In Assessment, Zero Can Still Be a Hero
Valentine’s Day – Another Dress Down Day, Another Opportunity to Take Advantage
This is come off as a little crazy, but bear with me… Dress down days at school can be fun,… Read more Valentine’s Day – Another Dress Down Day, Another Opportunity to Take Advantage
Simplifying Classroom Observations
Last week I was having a conversation with my principal. We were talking about the idea of teachers getting out… Read more Simplifying Classroom Observations
Movies in the Classroom – 5 Things
It is easy to dismiss movies as a way teachers build in breaks for themselves. But, when used correctly and… Read more Movies in the Classroom – 5 Things
Don’t Put a Holiday Countdown in your Classroom
It’s just a few weeks until my school’s Christmas break. But, if I can help it, my students will never… Read more Don’t Put a Holiday Countdown in your Classroom
Student Anxiety Survey – Results and Analysis
Maybe it was the first time I actually noticed it, but this year it seemed like more students than normal… Read more Student Anxiety Survey – Results and Analysis
