The Importance of “Brain Breaks”
When was the last time you were a student? Do you recall how exhausting it was? Being a student is so much more than just sitting there in a desk and passively taking in knowledge. As teachers, we must remember that our students sit through seven hours of learning of numerous and varied subjects every […]
Teaching In-Person During COVID: Strategies for Creating a Safe Environment
Though the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, many teachers will be heading back to the classroom this fall. Educators already have so much to worry about when it comes to the start of school; add keeping yourself and your students safe from COVID-19, and the stress can really skyrocket. The best thing we can do […]
Making Remote Learning Work for You and Your Students
In recent weeks, K-12 teachers have had to contend with the fact that they might teach their students remotely for the foreseeable future. Much of the discussion about remote teaching has centered on ensuring that the desired learning outcomes are attained. Here’s how you can make remote learning work for you and your students, while […]
Instilling a Love of Learning in Students
As a professional in the field of public education, you have made it your life’s mission to teach others and encourage the lifelong pursuit of knowledge. However, your dedication and passion can be challenged if students are not motivated to participate in learning opportunities. Here are top strategies for instilling a love of learning in […]
Give Your Grades More Meaning with Standards-Based Grading
Traditional grading requires teachers to assign a letter grade to a specified subject. An “A” in Mathematics, for example, often means that the student is doing well and that he or she has mastered most of the concepts in the subject. But what about those few concepts the student has not mastered? How have those […]
Getting Kids Engaged with Their Learning
Keeping students engaged in a lesson can seem difficult at times, because the truth is, every child learns in a different way. However, keeping students’ attention becomes less of a challenge when utilizing some basic tactics for maximizing student engagement. BE POSITIVE AND HAVE FUN! Perhaps the simplest way to ensure your students engage is […]
Effective Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners
Nearly five million students in the United States today are classified as English Language Learners (ELLs), and as a teacher, it’s important to understand the educational needs of these students. Here are some effective strategies to support the ELLs in your class that will also benefit the rest of your students! USE CULTURALLY RELEVANT AND […]
Effective Hybrid Teaching Strategies for Your Classroom
In many schools around the country, hybrid teaching will be our new norm for the coming year. It’s a solution that promises better social distancing without completely sacrificing in-person learning. Questions and concerns still abound, however. How should I structure my class? Will I be able to do anything other than lecture? How can I […]
Creating a Safe Space to Talk About Race & Racism in the Classroom
Race and racism are popular topics of discussion right now, and as an educator, it’s important to help students to navigate the difficult conversations that may occur around these subjects. Here are some tips to make your classroom a safe space to talk about race and racism. CONFRONT YOUR OWN FEARS ABOUT THE TOPIC Many […]
Tips & Tricks for Teaching Effectively With Zoom
Zoom can be a powerful tool for connecting with many students at once and addressing them as though you were in a classroom. This is great for maintaining a familiar structure to schoolwork, but it also presents its own unique challenges and possibilities. To make the most effective use of Zoom as a teacher, […]