In This Post: The five areas for creating emotional safety in your classroom. Detailed tips on how to meet the emotional needs of your students. One teacher’s experience creating an emotionally safe community for her students. In today’s world of active shooter drills and trauma-informed instruction, how do we create emotional safety in our classroom communities? I recently read Fostering … Read More
The Balance
In this Post: Creating balance between structure and student freedom. Reflection from stepping back to facilitate and guide. The beauty of freeing yourself from constant classroom regulation! Back to School Reflection As I go back to school, I have been enjoying my reflection on the drastically different teaching experiences I am encountering. I have been thinking about what I am … Read More
Three Ways to Create a Safe and Peaceful Learning Environment
In this Post : Teachers are competing against the fast-paced entertainment, gaming, videos and much more Music can be a great way to transition – try guitar music Provide options for students Sharing without judgement is essential What gets and keeps people’s attention at a rock concert? Loud music, mind-blowing guitar solos, and super stunning light shows. Upside down 360 … Read More
Raising a Puppy is Making Me a Better Teacher: 6 Takeaways for Your Classroom
In this Post: Decide to like the dog… even when it’s challenging! Scaffold training to support their needs Celebrate Positive Steps! Learn to Spiral Provide specific and meaningful feedback Lesson 1: Decide to Like the Dog The day after school let out, we drove from Seattle to Boise to pick up our new Wesslpointer puppy, Echo. I dreamed, schemed, and … Read More
Busting Two Myths About Restorative Practices
In this Post : Myth #1: Restorative Practices Take Away from Academics The circle, sometimes known as a class meeting, maybe the most well-known restorative practice, can be implemented quickly and used proactively to build the people-first classroom culture Myth #2: Implementing Restorative Practices is Overwhelming Starting small, revising and improving my skills, and generating success with students provided me … Read More