I know you feel it. Kids are just not as easy to engage these days. In fact, dealing with student apathy is one of our biggest challenges. We can blame it on a lot of things, but that just won't get us anywhere other than worked up and discouraged. Instead, what can we do about it? 1. Build … [Read more...] about Dealing with Student Apathy
Setting Up a Classroom: What you REALLY need
Are you feeling stress about setting up a classroom? I'm so sorry if you are. I feel the need to write about this after reading many comments from new teachers (and some vets) who are feeling absolutely stressed and inadequate right now because they are on social media, seeing pictures and … [Read more...] about Setting Up a Classroom: What you REALLY need
Classroom Management Strategies: The last minutes of class
Classroom management can be a struggle, especially if you have a talkative or energetic class. One of the best pieces of advice I ever got from a teaching mentor was to teach bell to bell. If I want a well-managed class of active learners, I need to grab my students' attention at the beginning of … [Read more...] about Classroom Management Strategies: The last minutes of class
Grading Strategy: A Tip for More Learning
Would you like a grading strategy that puts the responsibility for learning in your students' hands? You can do that by leaving feedback in the form of a question, rather than a statement. Let me show you what I mean. I tried something new while I was grading my tenth grader's persuasive … [Read more...] about Grading Strategy: A Tip for More Learning
How do you control a chatty class?
Excessive talking can derail your lesson. Use these strategies to control a chatty class. You'll also learn how to get students to talk when you want them to - and to work work quietly when you don't. We've all had them: classes that are full of nonstop talking. They are full of too many … [Read more...] about How do you control a chatty class?
Teaching a novel with excerpts
It's a trend that I find disturbing: teaching a novel with excerpts and not expecting kids to read the whole thing. I don't say that to be condescending; trust me. I want to help because I think that by using excerpts we are robbing our students of the opportunity to learn to love reading. There … [Read more...] about Teaching a novel with excerpts
6 ways to get students to actually read
We give our students quite a gift when we allow them to choose which books they will read. However, independent reading and readers' workshop can be difficult for a teacher to manage. Many believe it's easier to keep kids accountable when they do a full class novel because everyone is - quite … [Read more...] about 6 ways to get students to actually read
5 Ways to Keep Students on Task During Group Work
I read a lot of comments from teachers about why they don't like to use group work: students get distracted, they don't do the work, one person does all of it, etc. And yes, that happens - but if you put in the time to show your students how to collaborate, it because a highly effective strategy. So … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Keep Students on Task During Group Work