TL;DR: What do you do with students who just aren’t motivated? A look at some motivation theory and its relation to engagement. The key to engagement revealed! The Kids Just Sit There… Student engagement in their own learning process is an ever-elusive goal for a vast majority of educators with whom I interact. Too often, teachers and their classes are … Read More
Modifications and Accommodations for Diverse Learners
In This Post: The difference between modifications and accommodations. Strategies to adjust your classroom activities & instruction to accommodate for diverse learners. A quick guide for modifications or accommodations based on common language found on IEPs and 504s. Meeting the needs of diverse learners in today’s classrooms can be such a challenge. From at-risk, to gifted, to IEPs, 504s, and … Read More
Teaching Writing for Student Voice
In this post: The importance of providing freedom for students in your writing instruction. Strategies to use when teaching writing to shift the focus to student voice. My experience and background in empowering student writers. When we think about teaching writing, we often associate it with the traditional 5 paragraph essay, a regimented guide, or a ready-made curriculum. There’s a … Read More
Three Ways to Create a Safe and Peaceful Learning Environment
In this Post : Teachers are competing against the fast-paced entertainment, gaming, videos and much more Music can be a great way to transition – try guitar music Provide options for students Sharing without judgement is essential What gets and keeps people’s attention at a rock concert? Loud music, mind-blowing guitar solos, and super stunning light shows. Upside down 360 … Read More
Dear Desk, It’s Not You, It’s Me: Promoting Student Agency
In This Post: After removing a desk from our learning space, my students reacted with excitement. My realization was that I was too focused on how I saw things, and not on how THEY see them. This lead to 5 pedagogical shifts to promote student agency. In a lonely corner of an elementary classroom stood an oversized wooden desk. Its … Read More