TL;DR: Schools can keep students engaged without the use of technology by using hands-on approaches. Giving students choice and voice in their learning are two simple ways to increase engagement. Makerspaces allow students to innovate and be creative! Engagement without Technology: Foster Creativity and Student Choice During an era of YouTube, Netflix, and Google, can we capture the attention of … Read More
Power Up Thinking Routines Using Technology Tools
TL;DR: Using technology to enhance thinking routines transforms students from consumers of information to creators, as they share their thinking visually. Technology tools such as Padlet, Pear Deck, Flipgrid, and Google Slides can help students synthesize their thoughts to make their thinking visible. During the 2018-19 school year, my administration at the time introduced the staff to thinking routines. Thinking … Read More
Addressing the Different Educational Needs of Our Students
TL;DR: Educators must address the different educational needs of our students by setting high expectations, building relationships, desiring and implementing change, understanding our own biases, and choosing to connect. Teachers, administrators, and parents should establish and maintain supportive roles in this process of learning. Share your expectations with students by using I can statements. At the beginning of this school … Read More
Think Better: Where Do I Begin?
TL;DR: Introduction to a new series: Think Better. Understanding that our thoughts are powerful and have meaning can provide many benefits to educators. Think better by understanding how growth happens, not overanalyzing, and focusing on today. What does it mean to think better? Through my lens, it means using our thoughts to propel us forward instead of holding us back. … Read More
Building Community through Morning Meeting
TL;DR: Morning meeting is a time for students to gather, discuss the day’s events and lessons, and anything else on their minds. Morning meeting is a strategy for building community in a classroom. Each morning meeting is facilitated by the teacher, but is student-driven. At precisely 9:25 on Monday morning, the doorbell rings. Students put away their materials, quickly move … Read More