A tough question this week: Are you having discipline troubles because you’re boring? Click below to find out:
Want more info. about the materials mentioned in the video? I got you covered:
“The Rules of the Game” materials
“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” materials
Modern Witch Hunt materials to use with The Crucible
Video featuring Ready-to-Use Social Media Classroom Activities
UPDATE: The second part of this video is now available here.
Fine art can help students develop analysis skills in quick, small doses. Ideally, those skills will transfer to literary analysis
So you’re a veteran teacher who’s thinking about leaving the classroom, but you feel stuck. Maybe you’re near the top of your district’s salary scale and it feels impossible to not only replace your salary but also find a new job that’ll fund your retirement at the same level as your state’s pension program.
You know, you’re right. You might be stuck.
Note: This is an updated repost featuring some of my favorite October lesson ideas. Since October has now become the
Note: If you’re looking for the pre-winter break Reindeer Race, keep reading to see how these materials can easily be
Shouldn’t we all aim to be a bit more like Dolly Parton? Talented, funny, smart, kind, and generous, Dolly Parton
I’m a fan of teachers using games and healthy competition to build classroom community. To that end, I built Quarter
Long ago, I dropped traditional grammar instruction for my high school classes in favor of quick hits and individualized feedback.
Great reminder! When I was in college, my professors harped upon the idea that we teach students, not lessons. Your video, which should be mandatory viewing for education majors all over the country, reiterates this idea. Too often, I find myself making the lessons about me, not the kids: How do I dazzle them with fun activities, cool lessons, yada, yada, yada. If we make the content meaningful and relevant for them, students will be more eager to learn.
Thanks, Michelle! Yup, I pretty much just try to think like a 16-year-old whenever I start to build a new piece of curriculum, asking myself, What would a kid today think is cool or weird or interesting about this material? Once I figure that out, the rest of the project usually falls quickly into line. Thanks for reading, viewing, and commenting! I appreciate it. 🙂
Awesome tips! I just recently found your blog and am learning SO much! Question about the “2 years older” mentality – do you share that information with your students? Do you tell those juniors you’re treating them like college freshmen or just simply do it? I teach middle schoolers and am wondering if that knowledge would be empowering or intimidating!
Welcome to the party, KLR! So glad you found the blog. I actually never tell my students that I’m doing this; I just do it. I feel like announcing it might make it less effective, like I was pandering to them or trying to manipulate them in some way. I don’t know, it’s just more of a mind-shift for me, I think, in the way I approach everything I do with (and for) them.
Thanks for commenting – and welcome to my teacher tribe!
🙂 Laura