TL;DR: Ants appear to roam anywhere and everywhere outside but when they come inside your home, their purpose becomes more evident. Ants are strong and tenacious. Educators can learn by studying them and being more like them. They know their WHY. Do you? If you haven’t thought about your WHY in a while, it’s time to revisit and rediscover. It … Read More
Tips for the Start of an Unusual School Year
TL;DR: The new school year is usually full of different thoughts and emotions because of the change. It’s like switching teams every year with different learners. This post shares a number of tips for the beginning of the school year. Set up a reflection bench to allow students to talk in the corridors. Set up recharge zones filled with books, … Read More
Maintaining Your Mindset When Preparing for the Unknown
TL;DR: It is important to maintain a positive mindset when preparing for the unknown. Preparation breeds protection, security, and safety. Just as we prepare for the threat of inclement weather, we should prepare for the possibility of sudden school closures. Create classroom routines and communicate with parents regularly to maintain an environment of reliability. Just when we thought we had … Read More
Going Gradeless: A Book Study Reflection
TL;DR: This post includes reflections on a book study of Going Gradeless: Shifting the Focus to Student Learning by Elise Burns and David Frangiosa. This book provided insights about how you can shift the focus from grades to student learning! Each member of the book study shares their biggest takeaways from the book. This past month I had the pleasure … Read More
7 Strategies to Promote Reading. #3 is necessary.
TL;DR: Consider how you promote reading in your classroom so that you are instilling a love of learning among your students. Promote reading in your classroom by sharing what you are reading and giving students time to share what they are reading. Allow the use of audiobooks and e-books. Give students time to read in class and read with them. … Read More