TL;DR: Substitute teachers need access to materials and detailed plans. Every teacher should have emergency plans prepared. Administrators can best help by being visible throughout the day. On February 3, 2011, I experienced a substitute teacher’s worst nightmare. I had accepted a two-day assignment at a new-to-me school. At first, things seemed to go well. I was greeted by the … Read More
Feedback? “I tried that. It didn’t work.”
TL;DR: Providing student feedback is a valuable tool that doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Evaluate when individual feedback is needed and when it can be taught to the whole class. Focus feedback on certain skills. Create a framework for feedback that allows students to self-reflect and utilize peer reflections. Make feedback meaningful by using descriptive feedback rather than evaluative feedback. … Read More
4 Tips for Classroom Management
TL;DR: Routines and structures are key to strong classroom management. Consider your first 5 minutes of class and intentionally decide how you will spend that time. What works one day might not work the next; what works for one class may not work for another. Classroom management will always be a work in progress; not every single day will go … Read More
Highlights of 2021: In Case You Missed It
Highlights of 2021: In Case You Missed It This post shares highlights of Teach Better blog posts in 2021. Categories for posts include SEL, change and improvement, assessment and reflection, leadership, and social media. SEL The Power of Empathy – Sari Goldberg McKeown Teachers are Essential, You are Essential – Jeff Gargas Ideas to Commemorate World Kindness Day – Dana Goodier Teachers … Read More
Gonna Have a Grid Day! Blog Series Overview
Gonna Have a Grid Day Blog Series Overview The Grid Method is a self-paced mastery framework where the teacher creates a learning pathway in the form of a grid. Students are allowed to work at their own pace through this pathway while demonstrating readiness and mastery as they progress from one learning opportunity to the next. This blog series contains … Read More