Turning Challenges Into Solutions Through Mindfulness

Janel SebenyBlog, Connect Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better, Self Care Better, 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, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

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

Episode 117: Lively Minds with Candace Heiken

Darrin PeppardLeaning Into Leadership

Candace Heiken joins Darrin on the podcast this week to talk about executive function skills, ways we can assess for them, and how teachers can best support students in learning these all important cognitive abilities. That, plus your #PepTalk on this week’s show. MORE EPISODES

STEM and STEAM Are a Part of Your Everyday Life

Becky SchnekserBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better

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