Primary Independence: How The Grid Method Can Work for Littles

Amanda BolonBlog, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Mastery Done Better, Personalize Student Learning Better, Tech Better

TL;DR: The Grid Method can completely change your teaching practice, even your life. Ways the Grid Method can absolutely work for your primary students. Just another PD session? Not exactly. Everyone knows how end of the year professional development goes. You sit in meetings all day long, thinking about how much you have to do before packing up for the … Read More

Teaching and Learning Online during COVID-19

Mary Ellen RileyBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Personalize Student Learning Better, Tech Better

TL;DR: Resources for students (and teachers!) learning online. Using the Grid Method online during distance learning. Resources for teaching online. The lights were out, the halls were empty, and disinfectant stung my nose as I walked through the empty elementary school I call home.  I know this situation is precarious and surreal to some.  I also know that the amazing … Read More

5 Ways to Adjust Lessons to Promote Creative Thinking

Teach Better TeamBlog, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Personalize Student Learning Better

TL;DR: The importance of creativity in the classroom. How creative thinking can increase the level of learning in your students. Five ways you can adjust or create lessons that promote creative thinking. Creativity is so valuable in our classrooms. With today’s focus on 21st century skills, thinking creatively is becoming even more important. We all know that the problems our … Read More

Involving Families in Goal Setting and Reflection

Teach Better TeamBlog, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Personalize Student Learning Better, Reflect Better, Tech Better

TL;DR: The value of family involvement in goal setting and reflection. A low-tech method for involving families. A technology-based reflection tool for involvement of families. When it comes to goal setting, it’s important that we make it relevant and authentic for our students. Beyond that, we also have to involve their families. “It takes a village to raise a child.” … Read More

Promote Creative Thinking Through Passion Projects

Teach Better TeamBlog, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Mastery Done Better, Personalize Student Learning Better

In This Post An overview of passion projects in the classroom. Why you should consider doing a passion project with your students. Suggestions to rethink a unit and approach it as a passion project! Creative thinking is a skill we absolutely want to cultivate. We want our students to think critically and analyze. We want them to assess situations, look … Read More