In This Post: Consider gamification to level-up your classroom. Gamification is simply adding game elements to something that is not a game. Students love games and may be more engaged, and more likely to retain the information when gamified. Several examples of tools to gamify any unit. Ready to make your school year memorable (in a good way)? Want to … 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
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
30 Things I Learned [About Teaching] Before Turning 30
If Taylor Swift did it, why can’t I? Turning 30 is weird for me, mainly because everyone says it’s great, but I loved my 20s SO much that it’s hard to imagine better! It’s the time I got my dream job…and in that same decade have been referred to as a veteran teacher. I’ve worked with many students in so … Read More
Creating a Rockin’ Classroom Environment
In This Post: Creating a rockin’ classroom environment is about creating an environment students love walking into. Using music to create an experience for students can be power. Music calms us, creates focus, and inspires us. Which teacher’s class did you anticipate and love walking into everyday? For me, it was my high school history teacher’s class. He always had … Read More