The Solar Eclipse-A Unique Teaching Opportunity On August 21st, 2017, we will see something amazing. For the first time in over 30 years, there will be a total solar eclipse. This is when the moon comes between the sun and the earth, blocking the sun. This year, the total eclipse will travel across North America. Other […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Back To School Hacks: Digitize Your Syllabus and Lesson Plans!
This year I’m going back to school with a twist – I’m going to digitize my syllabus and lesson plans! A few years back, I experimented with different ways to engage students on the first day – and first weeks – of school. Building relationships, engaging my classroom, and creating a sense of excitement helps […]
Posted inSpecial Education
What to Change Behavior? Start With Class Meetings in Special Education
When thinking about classroom management, class meetings could be the answer to most of your problems. Just think about it. One of the biggest causes of classroom management issues is that students come in with things on their minds. What are class meetings? Read on to learn how to conduct class meetings and get some […]
Posted inBack to School
Want to Be Ready for Middle School? Start With These 4 Skills
Other than the first day of kindergarten, the first day of middle school may be one of the most anxiety-producing days for students and parents alike. The good news is that you and your child CAN and WILL survive this transition – especially if you help develop these 4 skills your child needs before starting […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching Gender Equality in a High School Classroom
Following recent events, it’s impossible not to recognize how divided our nation has become. We as teachers have our own unique and individual opinions based on our own experiences and education, and so do our students. But what happens when events taking place are so prominent that it would be a disservice to students […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Do You Want Students to Do Better In Class? If So, Try Working on Their Executive Function Skills
“Executive Functioning Skills. Executive Function. What is that and what does it have to do with my classroom?” These are the questions I asked myself walking into the New Jersey LDT-C Fall Symposium in 2016. Cindy Goldrich, a board Certified ADHD coach, gave us an extremely in-depth look at what executive functioning skills were and […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines
Teaching in a Post-Union World
The week before school begins, our education association is fortunate enough to sit down with the new educators hired in our district and encourage them to sign-up for our association. While this seemed pretty cut-and-dry when I was first hired 10 years ago, the discussion has rapidly changed and the difficulty increased. As more educators […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
We Must Teach the Worst of our History; Not Glorify It
As I write this, it’s not yet 24 hours since Charlottesville, Virginia erupted in violence at the hands of white supremacists. What happened there, how we respond to it, and what must happen next is an essential conversation for all Americans, but especially educators. Those white Americans whose reaction was to claim “this isn’t America!” […]