In This Post: The flexible seating movement has been going strong for a while now. There is a big misconception that the optimal learning environment requires kids to sit in desks with hard chairs. Flexible Seating Does Not Equal No Structure Not all teachers are the same Get out of your comfort zone. Even if flexible seating is too much, … Read More
Behavior is a Coded Message
In This Post: Behavior is a coded message, often asking us for help. Students ask for things in the most unloving ways. We need to dig into the real reasons for behavior issues. Authenticity is key. Be vulnerable. Check out the free resources below. When I first started teaching about 9 years ago (I had already been in the Navy … Read More
Visiting Other Teachers’ Classrooms: Seeing Life on the Other Side
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
It’s A Remix! Remixing Teaching to Give Learning More Life
In This Post: A remix is an adaptation of a song or piece of art. A remix can give a song more life. Could remixing in our classroom give education more life? Could remixing our teaching give learning more life? Last year, I was lucky enough to speak to the staff of SD113A during Opening Institute Day. Here is how … Read More