TL;DR: The difference between playing games and gamification. Elements of gamification… that are also best practices of pedagogy. Research & evidence that supports using gamification for student success. As a teacher of a fully-gamified class, I often hear phrases such as, “That’s really cool, but how do you know the system is working?” Most of the time this involves a … Read More
Primary Independence: How The Grid Method Can Work for Littles
TL;DR: The Grid Method can completely change your teaching practice, even your life. Ways the Grid Method can absolutely work for your primary students. Just another PD session? Not exactly. Everyone knows how end of the year professional development goes. You sit in meetings all day long, thinking about how much you have to do before packing up for the … Read More
Remote Learning as a Teacher and a Mom: 6 Practical Strategies for Making it Work
TL;DR: The unique difficulties in this time of remote teaching, as both a teacher and a mom. 6 strategies and suggestions to balance support for your students and your own children. During a normal school year on a normal school day, you juggle the duties of being a teacher and a mom. You have two lives and two sets of … Read More
Teaching and Learning Online during COVID-19
TL;DR: Resources for students (and teachers!) learning online. Using the Grid Method online during distance learning. Resources for teaching online. The lights were out, the halls were empty, and disinfectant stung my nose as I walked through the empty elementary school I call home. I know this situation is precarious and surreal to some. I also know that the amazing … Read More
3 Ways to Support Students Virtually
TL;DR: Relationship maintenance with students through a virtual environment. Three tips to support students: a virtual discussion space, a survey check-in, and videos! Teachers are resilient. We make a million decisions a day that revolve around how we can best support our students, while creating the best environment for them to learn. Until one day, our brick and mortar classrooms … Read More