TL;DR: Working together as a team, being a “we” is incredibly powerful. We can find creative ways to problem-solve and inspire our students. Finding ways we can collaborate to create interdisciplinary units can have a profound impact. I’m a middle school teacher, so I’m always a “we.” The team of teachers I’m a “we” with ebbs and flows from five to … Read More
Transdisciplinary Teaching and Learning
TL;DR: Transdisciplinary units allow students to bring all facets of their learning together. Student agency increases student engagement. Students create in-depth work they are proud of. I work for a school that follows the International Baccalaureate curriculum. This means that we follow a transdisciplinary approach, where learning transcends subjects. The concepts of student voice and choice spearhead the program of … Read More
Simplicity for the Interdisciplinary Unit Win
TL;DR: Create an interdisciplinary unit by exploring your own community or communities around the world. Tie in social studies, geography, math, art, music, and more in your unit. Using simple technology create videos and presentations. Have students share their projects with the community. If the idea of diving into an interdisciplinary unit (IDU) feels overwhelming, take a breath and just … Read More
Joyful Connections
TL;DR: Children need to know that you care about them. Find ways to connect and listen to your students. Greeting students, morning meetings, small talk, and laughter are great ways to connect. As educators, I think we all can agree that we want our students to succeed. We want to see them flourish and thrive. We want them to leave … Read More
Remove the Guardrails: Facilitate a Productive Struggle
TL;DR: Mistakes are essential to experience growth. Support students and facilitate a productive struggle for maximum growth. Challenges: Facilitate a Productive Struggle Mistakes are critical to deepening one’s reflection and becoming available for growth. Challenges are what we need to embrace the core of who we are, and what we could potentially become. Failure does not define us. It refines … Read More