TL;DR: This post shares the story of how giving up caffeine for a month shows that it is possible to reset our habits. We can give up teaching practices that we do just because we are in the habit of doing them. Then we have room to make the choice to do things because they are in the best interest … Read More
Reflecting on the Year That Was…
TL;DR: Reflecting back and remembering this year allows these challenging times to empower us in the future. View this past year with a growth mindset. Take your new skills into the next school year. A few years back, our principal bought everyone on staff the book Mindset by Carol Dweck. This book is one that many will refer to as … Read More
Reflecting at the End of the Year
TL;DR: Teaching from home has been challenging to not be able to “see” our students. There were frustrations from the perspectives of a teacher, student, and parent in the past 180 days. It is important to reflect on the past year and a half: in-class instruction cannot be replaced by virtual, students preferred to be in class, students had diverse … Read More
Engage Until the End: Reflecting on the End of the Year
TL;DR: Reflect by creating a visual timeline, class memory book, or slideshow. Culminating projects to show what students learned during the year include a book sales pitch with their favorite books showcased, summer or year-end BINGO cards, or a game of Family Feud. Proper closure to the year is important. Some ideas include writing a letter to their next year’s … Read More
Teaching During a Pandemic: Feeling Lost (Part 1)
TL;DR: When the pandemic started, educators around the globe were thrown into unchartered territory. Educators had to quickly learn how to adapt lessons to be online, and students had to adapt to the use of new technology as well. My Purpose My purpose in blogging is to work through and process thoughts, happenings, and feelings throughout my teaching career. I’m … Read More