Turning Challenges Into Solutions Through Mindfulness

Janel SebenyBlog, Classroom Management, Reflect Better, Self-Care, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Introducing mindfulness in the classroom can transform student behavior and teacher-student relationships. Focusing on social and emotional learning helps students manage their emotions and improves classroom climate. Teachers should prioritize self-care and continuously seek new strategies to enhance the learning environment. Picture this. You are incredibly excited to share an activity you think your students are going to love, … Read More

Teaching Students to Tackle Problem-Solving

Lisa JonesBlog, Classroom Management, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Teach problem-solving through engaging challenges in middle school career technical education. Daily prompts require students to restate problems in their own words before attempting solutions. Shift from large projects to 1 to 2-day mini-challenges, enhancing student engagement and managing activities more effectively. One of the skills I’ve noticed that many students struggle with is problem-solving. Often, when you give … Read More

STEM and STEAM Are a Part of Your Everyday Life

Becky SchnekserBlog, Classroom Management, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Student Engagement

TL;DR: STEM and STEAM are integral to our everyday life and we encounter many challenges that require these skills. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, while STEAM adds Art or Architecture. A problem with a door latch at home is an example of STEM and STEAM in action, involving science, technology, engineering, art/architecture, and mathematics. We can intentionally … Read More

Leading With Questions

Steven WeberBlog, Classroom Management, Leadership, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Many meetings are not so much a dialogue as a monologue. When you plan a meeting, ask yourself what the purpose is. Lead with questions and know the right questions to ask. Do teachers have a seat at a meeting or a seat and a voice? Moving from Monologues to Dialogues Questions provide the opportunity for dialogue. Unfortunately, many … Read More