ClasStars: The tech tool you will want to use next year!

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Student Engagement

TL;DR: How often do you track student interactions, when they leave the classroom, and days absent? ClasStars is a free tech tool that can produce daily reports to track interactions, how often students leave the classroom and for how long, and days absent. The data collected about our individual interactions with students can help us focus on the positive and … Read More

Four (MORE!) Action Items for Pride in Your Classroom

Teach Better TeamBlog, Leadership, Student Engagement

TL;DR: This post is a follow-up to the post: Three Action Items for Pride Month in Your Classroom (and Beyond!) Four additional action items for Pride in your classroom include following representative leadership, amplifying others’ voices, making concrete commitments, and celebrating joy. The response to this month’s post, “Three Action Items for Pride Month in Your Classroom (and Beyond!)” has … Read More

Create Safe Spaces

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: We remember what is taught through stories with courageous conversations. Stories help us understand, connect, and give a pathway and multiple opportunities to teaching concepts. Stories resonate with us and are close to our hearts to empower our spirit when there is a safe classroom discussion space. Create safe spaces by incorporating storytelling, reflection, journaling, and using graphic organizers … Read More

What is Translanguaging?

Carly SpinaBlog, Differentiation, Student Engagement

TL;DR: As educators, we must be strategic and intentional in our language instruction. It is crucial to strengthening our students’ language development. The beauty of translanguaging is honoring and elevating the languages of those we serve. QUICK! We’re going to do a quick experiment! Go grab a clear glass of water. Now put in 2 drops of red food coloring. … Read More

Spark Your Passion This Summer!

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Leadership, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Self-Care, Student Engagement

TL;DR: In order to come back in September feeling excited and happy to return, we need to take time off. There are 10 ways we can spark our passion in the summer: make time for yourself, rethink curriculum, do some planning, learn, be yourself, revisit your why, know you are human, lead and mentor others, build excitement, and maintain trusting … Read More