TL;DR: Strong communication and the use of social media establishes and strengthens relationships within the community. Tips for communicating on social media include building school social capital, activating the administrative team, and giving voice and choice. Tip #1 for Communicating on Social Media: Build School Social Capital The purpose of strong communication and the use of social media is to … Read More
Layering Stories into Learning
TL;DR: Stories are windows into the soul and into our experiences. Educators should intentionally create spaces for learners to share how they view the world. Embed stories into your classroom by linking a personal story to what you are saying, allowing learners to connect their own stories to a learning experience, and allow learners to share connections with peers to … Read More
Pause.
TL;DR: Traditions were broken all around the world due to the global pandemic. Next year, we can repair the traditions that 2020 took from us, or we can recreate new ones for our families. BreAnn presses pause on her Play Better series this month to share a poem reflecting on the importance of tradition. Pause. My husband’s grandma passed away. When I … Read More
Breaking the Barriers of Curriculum Design
TL;DR: There are many potential barriers to curriculum design. Potential barriers include absence of a curriculum framework, change, communication, products, funding, hidden curriculum, time, and tradition. Strategies for breaking the barriers are shared. Curriculum design is a rewarding process that provides educators with the opportunity to discuss what is essential. My experiences with curriculum design and observing the work of … Read More
An Optimistic Outlook on Your Classroom
TL;DR: The tenets of an optimistic outlook on your classroom include having a positive climate and culture. Reflect on the level of morale, productivity, and student satisfaction in your classroom. Develop actions to optimistically impact students’ views on teaching and learning in your classroom. Climate and culture are often referred to as the “feel” of the school. Essentially, this feel … Read More