Teaching Middle School is hard. There are layers and layers of developmental science that teach us educators all about the why’s and how’s and when’s and wow’s of adolescence. Socially, new social circles are emerging. Diverse opinions are converging. Physically and emotionally, young emerging adults feel like roller coasters who are operating at unstoppable and slow moving speeds (that often … Read More
Activities to Connect With Kids and Unveil Hidden Talents!
TL;DR: Often you can learn from your time away from school and discover things that would improve your skills as an educator. Consider the ways that you make children shine outside of academics. What talents do kids have that you can celebrate? Discover new ideas to celebrate kids at your school. Connect with Your Students: Seeing Someone Sparkle I visited … Read More
Connecting with Students Experiencing Summer “Loss”
TL;DR: While many experience feelings of joy and freedom when summer arrives, other students dread it. What are ways you can maintain connections with students over the summer months? Peace Out? Maintaining Summer Connections It was the last day of school! As I gathered my take-home treasures and sprinted with satisfaction toward the school parking lot, I couldn’t help but … Read More
A Teacher Village: Showing Appreciation
TL;DR: Teacher Appreciation Week stands at a particularly tiring time of the year. “School life” is a thing. Educators: we see you, we hear you, and we love you. Teacher Appreciation Week As I write this, it’s Friday, the last day of “Teacher Appreciation Week.” Like many of us, I am sitting down after a long journey of two-week mandated … Read More
Building Connections with EL Students
TL;DR: Build an “EL Family Wall” in your classroom. Build connections between your students. Create a bond and feeling of belonging in the classroom. Building Connections with EL Students Each day, I meet with 10 groups of EL students from grades 1-8. One of their favorite weekly activities occurs every Tuesday: Voting Day! We have three whiteboard “zones”: Zone 1, … Read More
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