I've been teaching an education course for the last four years, and every time the students express that their greatest worry is about classroom management, I tell them that it's most teachers' greatest worry too (did you have your back-to-school nightmare this year?). Since I know that the … [Read more...] about 5 Quick Classroom Management Strategies
Getting students to complete their work
It is beyond frustrating when students don't pass in their work - or don't do their work in class. First of all, they aren't building the skills they need, and they put themselves in danger of not passing the course. And because you aren't assessing their work, you don't know if they are really … [Read more...] about Getting students to complete their work
Why I don’t grade homework
I just received a question about how I grade homework, and I realized my answer was a bit long and might even require a blog post. So here I am. The teacher wanted to know if I gave a summative grade (counts in the average) or a formative one (for feedback only). The short answer is that IF I … [Read more...] about Why I don’t grade homework
Literary Analysis with Quotable Quickies
Literary analysis is difficult for most students, and I believe it's mostly because they get overwhelmed with the process. That's why I do my best to scaffold the steps they need for success. Today, I'd like to share one of my favorite (and most successful) strategies: literary analysis with … [Read more...] about Literary Analysis with Quotable Quickies
Active Learning Strategies: The Write-Around
One of the my favorite active learning strategies is the write-around. It's quick and easy to use, and it is perfect for building the skills that students need for analysis. Let me show you how and why it works. Start with an open-ended question A successful write-around starts with a question … [Read more...] about Active Learning Strategies: The Write-Around
Scaffolding the process of literary analysis
Here's a quick tip for you that will help your students improve their ability to analyze and write about text. The best part is that you will be scaffolding the process of literary analysis with assignments that take minutes to grade! Sound good? Read on! I kid you not when I say that I spent … [Read more...] about Scaffolding the process of literary analysis
Questioning Strategies in the Classroom
What's the best way to get our students to engage in deep and meaningful learning? I don't have the answer, but I do have a lot of questions. And it's my curiosity and desire to learn that drives my search for that answer. One method I use to get my students' heads in the game are question … [Read more...] about Questioning Strategies in the Classroom
Hexagonal thinking activities in English class
I'm always looking for ways to get students engaged in critical thinking and higher order discussions. I've tried a lot of things over the years, and hexagonal thinking has emerged as a favourite for me and my students. Read on to find out how to use hexagonal thinking activities in English … [Read more...] about Hexagonal thinking activities in English class
The Writing Process
Have you ever experienced this? You announce to your class that they are going to start writing an essay, and the mood in the room shifts. Arms cross. Faces close off. Groans and grumbles are heard. This is what happens in my classroom the first time students write an essay, but then we embark on a … [Read more...] about The Writing Process
Teaching students to analyze text
Are you wondering how to teach students to analyze text? I'm a huge believer in the power of the habit. The more a person practices something, the more it gets embedded in the brain. That's why I put a lot of energy into building the habit of using the right terms when I'm teaching students to … [Read more...] about Teaching students to analyze text
Setting Students Up for Success
Unfortunately, many of us are ruled by the calendar and the clock, and we end up rushing to get curriculum covered. However, if we spend time early in the semester, setting students up for success, they will gain confidence and be ready to learn and grow. And, that will allow us to get more done … [Read more...] about Setting Students Up for Success
Enhance learning with games and challenges
There is no doubt about it: students will learn more when they are intrinsically motivated, when they see a purpose beyond a test and a grade, or when they get a sense of enjoyment out of the activity. One thing that is sure to motivate your students is a sense of fun and play, something that we … [Read more...] about Enhance learning with games and challenges