Reconsider Your Expectations

Jillian DuBoisBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Grade Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: Believing in students and setting high expectations for them can help them be successful. Find ways to get your students interested. Make sure the lessons and activities you are teaching are relevant. Know what your end goal is and makes sure it is clear to your students, too. Provide opportunities for your students to reflect on their own work. … Read More

Classroom Spaces

Teach Better TeamBlog, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Students respond better to classroom spaces that are interactive and encourage exploration, movement, and collaboration. Students learn science better through instruction that allows them to have access to the entire classroom space when inspiration strikes. Consider taking the time to honestly reflect on your classroom space to make it more engaging to your students. How are you using your … Read More

28. Engage Your Students with REAL Connections

Michele Schmidt MooreDesign Lessons Podcast

Hey Designers, In episode 27 we looked at how to use Design Thinking to level up your life.  In this episode, I’m sharing with you the REAL Instructional Framework that employs design thinking to create a strategic learning pathway that is anchored in a real world opportunity. This episode was originally a presentation I did for the Association of Middle … Read More

Engage Students with Magic Glasses & Table Dancing

Bobbie FrenchBlog, Engage Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: Reimagine your lessons to make them more engaging for students. Some ways to engage students with your lessons include magic glasses and table dancing. Other ways to increase engagement in your lessons include finding ways to infuse movement, friendly competition, student conversations, and sometimes a little whimsy.  Bueller? Bueller? Bueller…anyone? Anyone?  Are you teaching to an ‘empty’ room? If … Read More

Ham It Up to Build Relationships with Your Students

Jason LimBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better

TL;DR: Build relationships with students by not being afraid to look goofy or silly in front of them. Some strategies to build relationships with students include using movie quotes or current popular songs, telling jokes, dancing, and more. When I graduated from college, I did not know what I was going to do.  To be honest, I wanted to be … Read More