TL;DR: Differentiating math instruction and meeting all of your learners’ needs can be challenging. The Grid Method changed this for me and my students. There have been many rookie mistakes made, but I continue to grow and so does my class. I confess to being an elementary Grid Rookie. Our elementary schools in Québec include Grades K through six. In … Read More
No More Giant Backpack: Using the Grid Method
TL;DR: Follow the journey of Michelle as she discovered the Grid Method. Read five reasons why using the Grid Method is so effective: (1) standards-based (2) strategic and timely assessments (3) varied assessment (4) students work at own pace (5) enrichment opportunities. I recently saw a teacher meme that showed a man with a GIANT backpack and the caption, “When … Read More
Teacher Authenticity: Be You, Not Them
TL;DR: Be authentic in the classroom. Make connections with children through purposeful activities such as games. Develop classroom norms together and review them often. Take time daily to self-reflect and make a plan for the next day. Justin joined Rae on the Daily Drop In to chat about teacher authenticity. Click here to watch! Be Authentic We often hear about … Read More
Wordle for Phonics Instruction in 6th Grade
TL;DR: Wordle is a word game that quickly gained popularity. Playing Wordle as bell work is a quick and engaging way to start your class period. Wordle allows the opportunity to learn and practice phonics skills in a more natural way—through a game. Playing games is a natural way to boost student confidence and for them to see the growth … Read More
Episode #144: Merlyna Valentine
MORE EPISODES [the_grid name=”Out Of The Trenches Podcast”] Merlyna Mathieu Valentine is an international speaker, author, and consultant. She retired after thirty years having served as a teacher, principal, and executive director in an extraordinarily successful school district in Louisiana. Her transformational leadership as a school principal resulted in her school’s recognition as a “Top Gains” school. Ms. Valentine has … Read More