Overcoming the Fall Blues

Teach Better TeamBlog, Lesson Planning, Self-Care, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: The abundance of work and lack of breaks can cause fall blues. Planning ahead and using educational resources can help with lessons. Find ways to practice self-care. Make sure you are having fun. If you aren’t enjoying the classroom, neither are your students. Talking to a colleague the other day, I was shaking my head and doing what one … Read More

Kids Can Be Sociolinguists, Too!

Teach Better TeamBlog, Differentiation

TL;DR: A little metalinguistic awareness can go a long way towards creating a safe space for bilingual children in the classroom. Sociolinguistic awareness, coupled with the gumption to tackle these issues with children, will go a long way towards the larger enterprise of designing pedagogy that is culturally (and linguistically) focused. Consider designing curricula that builds sociolinguistic awareness. This post … Read More

Let’s Continue to TALK about Equity!

Teach Better TeamBlog, Leadership, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Teach lessons that encourage a growth mindset. Definitions give us working knowledge to understand more about equity and anti-racism. Be an anti-racist educator! “Equity and Inclusion Just Got Better” Journaling/Reflection Questions What is a lesson idea that involves teaching about a topic that matters to your students? Write down a time you didn’t advocate for change with something that … Read More

Growth is a Lifelong Endeavor

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management

TL;DR: Teachers don’t just give children the tools they need to succeed in life. They give them the tools they need for lifelong GROWTH. Stagnation is not an option and growth is a lifelong endeavor.  This post shares what Education Blueprint means to Laura. I am not a teacher. I don’t have a teaching degree. And I haven’t spent a … Read More

ISJ and ISNB Introduction

Teach Better TeamBlog, Differentiation, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Personalized Learning, Student Engagement, Teach Further

 TL;DR: Science is a messy process that leads to understanding. Students need to learn and appreciate the messy process in addition to the end result. Interactive science journals (ISJ) and interactive science notebooks (ISNB) are tools that will help students understand the difference between the process and the end result. “Take chances, make mistakes, get MESSY!” – Ms. Frizzle, The … Read More