By Rhonda van Bergen In many elementary classrooms today, literacy has taken center stage as new standards in reading and writing are implemented. Teachers spend significant time teaching English Language Arts (ELA) skills and strategies to prepare students for high-stakes testing in those areas. Unfortunately, content area instruction in science and social studies often takes […]
Posted inSpecial Education
Embracing the Rhythm: Understanding and Supporting Stimming in Autism
Recently, when discussing a parent’s concerns about his son’s stimming. Stimming, which is short for self-stimulatory behavior, refers to repetitive body movements or sounds, such as hand-flapping or other repetitive hand movements, rocking, tapping, spinning, or vocalizations, such as humming or repetitive sounds or phrases. What is stimming? Stimming is a common action exhibited in […]
Posted inBack to School
Tips for Setting Up Classrooms on a Budget
When you are new to a school site, the first question you often ask is: How am I going to teach in an environment that isn’t suitable for children? I asked a dozen teachers I know for tips about setting up their classrooms on a budget. Their advice, like finding a box of unused pencils […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
How to Run a Fantastic Back-to-School Night
Back to school night. It comes every year, and it comes fast. It’s often the first chance you have to meet parents, share your vision of the year with them, and to open up your class showcasing the miracles you perform on a daily basis. It’s also stressful as all get out. But it doesn’t […]
Posted inChild Development
Behavior is Communication
This may sound silly, but I can’t stop thinking about my T-shirt. Earlier this school year, I was talking to the speech therapist who works with my students when I noticed her fantastic shirt. It said, “Behavior is Communication.” Immediately, I asked her to send me the link to the shirt, and by the end […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Why This Teacher Supports Tim Walz as Harris’ VP Pick
Vice President Harris’ choice as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for a running mate is not even two hours old, and I am celebrating. Why? As a social studies educator, I hope a Democratic victory in November will bring a former teacher’s voice into the Oval Office. It’s my hope that Walz’s influence on education policy […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Harris Taps former teacher and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as Running Mate
Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Gov. and former teacher, Tim Walz as her running mate for the upcoming November election against Donald Trump, according to two sources familiar with the decision. Walz, 60, emerged as a choice for the No. 2 slot on the Democratic ticket after weeks of speculation centered on other […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Seven Inspirational Tips for the New (or old!) Teacher
A Survival Primer for New Teachers Dear New Teacher, It was John Steinbeck who wrote in his novel East of Eden, “…the repository of art and science is the school, and the schoolteacher shields and carries the torch of learning and of beauty.” This first year, while you are mired in lesson planning, meetings, assessing, […]