TL;DR: Every year, schools work to establish school improvement goals. Schools may fall into one of three categories: improvement, diminishing returns, or flatlining. There are five leverage points schools should look at for improvement. Each year, school improvement teams identify needs, create goals, and determine how to measure each goal. Staff commits to focusing on school priorities and strategies for … Read More
Press Conference – Brain Break Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Want to get your students using interview questions and reviewing concepts from your biography or social studies unit? Try this game of action and wit in your classroom! The Game: Press Conference Press Conference is an improv game that involves 3-8 players. What you’ll need: A microphone (or pretend microphone) is optional. Prep work: … Read More
Persevere Better: Understanding Grit and Resilience
TL;DR: What are the differences between grit and resilience? Grit is an intrinsic quality within a person that drives them to keep going. Resilience allows you to bounce back from hardships. If you already have grit within you, resilience will allow that fire to stay alive. Grit and Resilience I recently engaged with my learning network members about the difference … Read More
7 Investing Lessons Worth Applying to Education
TL;DR: Educators can learn from other careers, such as finance, to navigate challenging times. Celebrate small successes and realize that everything is connected. Success in one area will flow into others. Focus on using research-based practices within your classroom. Don’t wait to try something new. Use data to inform what you’re doing within your classroom. Learn from finance. Educators are … Read More
Creating Culture in the Classroom!
TL;DR: Three strategies for building culture in the classroom: (1) Play music in the hallways (2) Positive greetings at the door through touch at the beginning and end of class (3) Decorate the entrance doorway. Relationships are important and the key. Creating Culture in the Classroom! A few years back, I played in a golf tournament hosted by our local … Read More