You spend hours planning, you deliver the lesson with passion, and still, some students just don’t get it. Meanwhile, others are ready to sprint ahead. It feels like you’re juggling fire while riding a unicycle, right? We’ve all been there, trust me. That’s where mastery learning and The Grid Method come in. Mastery learning can change your classroom from a “one-size-fits-all” … Read More
Using the Grid Method to Teach Real-World Skills
TL;DR: The author’s favorite unit focuses on imparting practical job skills in an Exploring Careers course, acknowledging the universal need for employment preparation. Using the Grid Method, the unit progresses through levels, starting with basics, incorporating real-life examples in level two, and culminating in assessments and simulations at level three. Emphasizing the importance of real-world connections, the author encourages educators … Read More
The Reluctant Leader
TL;DR: We often don’t expect to become leaders. Sometimes we may even avoid it. There are moments when you see the need for your leadership, and you step up to help create change. Pssst…I am going to share a secret about myself. I didn’t want to be a leader. Never have, and I never thought I would be calling myself … Read More
Gifted Strategies Are Just Better Teaching
TL;DR: Using strategies that support gifted students can support all students in your classroom. While at the Teach Better conference, I attended several sessions that would work well for gifted students, including using Depth of Knowledge and the Grid Method as well as finding ways for students to look at math creatively. Gifted Strategies Are Just Good Teaching These are … Read More
In Praise of Split Classes
TL;DR: A split class is a class created with students from two different age groups. Split classes allow you to form deeper relationships with students. Students are seen as individual learners in a split classroom. A split classroom allows students the opportunity to lead younger students. split class: a class grouping that includes students at two adjacent grade levels (for … Read More