In this post: Often, teachers become experts at their respective age levels, with little to no experience at others. This leads to an unintended consequence of our profession. Stepping out of their daily work environments and seeing what teaching and learning looks like at another grade level can help change perceptions. Some teachers think of themselves as elementary, while others … Read More
Top 6 Classroom Management Pet Peeves
Video Highlights: Tiffany Ott gets on a soapbox about her top 6 classroom management Pet Peeves! When should you punish the whole class for the actions of a few? Never! Let’s talk about recess Consistency, consistency, consistency Public shaming? I don’t think so! When you need help, get help! About Tiffany Ott Tiffany Ott is the Director of Curriculum Development … 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
4 Strategies to Help Anxious Students Prepare for a Summer without Routine
In This Post: For our most anxious students summer break doesn’t come with the degree of excitement educators might expect. Summer break can be a time of uncertainty, fear, and less regimented time; all triggers of anxiety. Encouraging journaling, offering manipulatives, introducing students to volunteerism, and allowing them to move, are just a few ways we can help our students … Read More
Setting the Bar – 3 Tips to Help Our Students Meet and Exceed Our Expectations
In This Post: Everyone is happy when those expectations are met and we LOVE it when our students exceed our expectations! If we are working daily to offer our students opportunities to meet these expectations the vast majority will, at a minimum, meet them. By setting the bar high, being consistent, and offering our students feedback on their progress, we … Read More