In This Post An overview of passion projects in the classroom. Why you should consider doing a passion project with your students. Suggestions to rethink a unit and approach it as a passion project! Creative thinking is a skill we absolutely want to cultivate. We want our students to think critically and analyze. We want them to assess situations, look … Read More
6 Ways to Promote Authentic Reflection
TL;DR: The vitality of authentic, real reflection in our classroom. 6 ways to ensure your students’ reflection is authentic. Reflection is a vital part of the learning process. When we encourage our students to look back on their growth and reflect, we are inviting them to see clearly the progress they have made. We are helping develop their metacognition and … Read More
4 Steps to Successful Implementation of a New Idea
In This Post: Success on New Year’s resolutions rarely ever happens. But why? The “New Year’s resolution” model doesn’t work for educational ideas either. Four steps to successfully implementing the new idea you’re considering. January is often a strange time at my gym. New Year’s Resolutionists show up in droves. They pack into our small yoga studio spaces with their … Read More
Love Beyond the Classroom Walls: Creating Memories & Building Bonds
In This Post: 5 non-negotiables of a teacher. The value in building memories and bonds with your students. Specific examples of ways to encourage learning and build relationships. The inclusion of families. As a teacher, I have five teaching non-negotiables. Those are the five things I have pretty much kept sacred for the seventeen years I’ve been a teacher. These include: … Read More
Boost Motivation by Bringing in What Students Love
In This Post: Building intrinsic motivation in our students is incredibly valuable. An introduction to self-determination theory. How to build motivation through students’ loves. Our students, like ourselves, are human beings. And, like us, they have interests, passions, and lives outside of the walls of our classrooms. When we find ways to infuse those outside interests into our content, it … Read More