139: Worldly Education Focused on Home and Dreams

Ken EhrmannBlog

Cohens Mugisha is an incredible educator, changing the lives of the students he works with in his community of Ibanda, Uganda. His classes are focused specifically on writing and speech, but it is evident throughout the conversation these are only leverage points to create real-world learning experiences for students. Technology integration is a pursuit of all educators; it’s just a … Read More

Writing Is Breathing Out: Free Writing Matters

Kari PitstickBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: The post emphasizes the importance of explaining the “why” behind classroom activities, such as free writing, to students. Benefits of free writing include boosting creativity, providing a safe space for expression, relieving stress, and improving communication skills. The author draws parallels between practicing writing and practicing sports or musical instruments, highlighting the value of preparation for future assignments and … Read More

Reading Is Breathing In: Book Choices Matter

Kari PitstickBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: The post uses an analogy of weightlifting to explain the importance of choosing different levels of books. It categorizes books into painless (easy), on-target (comfortable), and challenging (difficult) levels, emphasizing the need to vary one’s reading choices to grow as a reader. Encourages students to primarily read on-target books but also occasionally challenge themselves with more difficult material while … Read More

Be Your Students’ Champion

Colissa JordanBlog, Leadership, Lesson Planning

TL;DR: To empower students, teachers should be their champions, knowing them as individuals and fostering a positive classroom culture through positive reinforcement and tailored instruction. Autonomy, a growth mindset, and purposeful learning are key in motivating and inspiring students, with teachers playing a crucial role in believing in their students’ potential. Success in education relies on factors like teacher support, … Read More

Show 138: Enhancing Instruction and Student Engagement with PearDeck

Ken EhrmannBlog

Amber Trout is an experienced educator who navigated her career through different experiences and leveraged her expertise to support her colleagues and teachers best. She gravitated towards educational technology to create the best learning experiences for her students. One of the leading criteria for ed-tech should be ease of use. It should make the life of a teacher easier or … Read More