Formative assessment is using purposeful observations and information about students to move their learning forward. It enables teachers and students to understand their learning and have meaningful dialogue. This has been applied in classrooms through Kahoot! quizzes, exit tickets and quick thumbs up thumbs down activities. Formative assessment, however, has more power when it is [...]
Teaching is about learning. Teachers take classes to learn about content, strategies, behavior, classroom management and more. In order to move our educational system forward, however, the knowledge, experience, and expertise of master teachers needs to be shared with those entering the profession. Each college has its own path for how this learning takes place; [...]
Without change, we exist in a stagnant environment. Learning is about persistence, failure, and change. Each summer there are buzz words that emerge and ideas for teachers to think about. However, not everything fits into a neat little package. There is not one boxed program, method, or idea that will work in every classroom. Teaching [...]
Each teacher has a favorite. Favorite subject, favorite activity, favorite lesson. Three years ago I started one of my favorites. Each year we start January with "Where I'm From". The students reflect on where they are from and what makes them who they are. While reflecting on themselves and where they are from, students can focus [...]
One of our fourth grade standards in Kansas is US states. Students learn about the regions including their geography, climate, economy and cultures. We spend time researching and learning about the various states while comparing them to Kansas. Students become travel agents to different places. While it would be wonderful to have the funds to fly [...]