TL;DR: The first rule to lesson planning is to start with a hook. These should be engaging to motivate all learners. There are 3 ways to hook your students: (1) Legos and Play-Doh to showcase thinking and ideas. (2) Gallery walks to record thoughts and ideas to share with others. (3) Four Corner Debate to organize students into groups based … Read More
Kids Do Better When They Are Excited to Learn
TL;DR: Creating a culture of excitement leads to a positive learning environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Excitement is contagious. Learn 7 ways to create an enthusiastic environment and 7 ways to create an enthusiastic lesson. Spend time laughing with your students; it is essential to creating a warm and positive classroom culture where students feel comfortable and … Read More
The Movement of Feminism with Supportive Allies
TL;DR: The feminist movement is one of equal rights. Equity is the way you achieve it. Consider the importance of supporting International Women’s Day events to make a difference. Understanding bias and implicit bias by teaching it directly in our classrooms is key to making the women’s rights movement count! Equity and Inclusion Reflection Questions Why does the women’s rights … Read More
Sub Better: Set High Expectations for Learning
TL;DR: Student learning can still take place when the teacher is not there. Hold students accountable for their own learning every day. Providing high-quality materials for teaching and learning is a shared responsibility. Learn tips for teachers and administrators to set high expectations for learning. Set High Expectations for Learning Think back to your elementary school days. Do you remember … Read More
Curriculum Design: Are We Creating a Draft or a Masterpiece?
TL;DR: Effective curriculum design teams don’t view their work as a masterpiece but as a draft. Having a draft allows room for reflection, feedback, and modifications to improve the curriculum. Curriculum design teams are often torn between creating a draft document or a masterpiece. Teacher leaders are typically perfectionists, and they strive to create a masterpiece before sharing the curriculum … Read More