Video Highlights: Tiffany Ott gets on a soapbox about her top 6 classroom management Pet Peeves! When should you punish the whole class for the actions of a few? Never! Let’s talk about recess Consistency, consistency, consistency Public shaming? I don’t think so! When you need help, get help! About Tiffany Ott Tiffany Ott is the Director of Curriculum Development … Read More
It’s A Remix! Remixing Teaching to Give Learning More Life
In This Post: A remix is an adaptation of a song or piece of art. A remix can give a song more life. Could remixing in our classroom give education more life? Could remixing our teaching give learning more life? Last year, I was lucky enough to speak to the staff of SD113A during Opening Institute Day. Here is how … Read More
Level Up Your Classroom With Gamification
In This Post: Consider gamification to level-up your classroom. Gamification is simply adding game elements to something that is not a game. Students love games and may be more engaged, and more likely to retain the information when gamified. Several examples of tools to gamify any unit. Ready to make your school year memorable (in a good way)? Want to … Read More
28 Ways to Instantly Help a Colleague Feel Better
Our work is hard, and it is harder some days than others. It is harder some years than others. The best schools I have ever been to are comprised of staff who lift each other up, who make our hard work a joy (most days), and who are there for each other always. Have you ever approached a colleague feeling … Read More
Dear Desk, It’s Not You, It’s Me: Promoting Student Agency
In This Post: After removing a desk from our learning space, my students reacted with excitement. My realization was that I was too focused on how I saw things, and not on how THEY see them. This lead to 5 pedagogical shifts to promote student agency. In a lonely corner of an elementary classroom stood an oversized wooden desk. Its … Read More