I’ve always been a proponent of inclusion in the regular education classroom. I say this from experience. Before it became common place I accepted SPED students into my classroom. You see at the time, Philadelphia would not allow a SPED student to “mainstream” in high school unless they could prove that they could function in […]
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Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instructional Strategies
Behavior Bugs Are On The Loose!
Every school year I use some type of token system with my class. Since I have students who loop with me for several years, I don’t like to use the same system every year so as not to repeat something that has already been done for students I have again. One year I used poker […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
"So What?" Brings Critical Thinking
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] This summer, I plan to spend time organizing question stems to spark critical thinking and post them on a number of slides to share with teachers. OR I could shorten the process and use just […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured
Taming Those Treasure Collections
I love teaching first and second grade. I love everything about it. I love the giggles, and the wide-eyed wonderment, and the sweet voices, and the constant questions. And one of my favorite things is when kids come in from recess, and they’ve found special treasures out on the playground. Treasures like rocks, and feathers, […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured
Red, White and Back-to-School
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Every year right after the Fourth of July something magical happens. Shelves, which were previously filled with bright summer cookout and beach essentials, now become filled with #2 pencils, binders, and […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured
Making a Good First Impression on the First Day of School
The excitement, and exhaustion, of the first day of school cannot be matched by anything else. It’s the first opportunity to meet your students and set the tone for your year. When my students walk through my door I want them to know they are loved. This is a space for learning which is messy […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
The Quietly Rebellious Teacher
I’m a teacher. I believe in rules, structure, and consistency. To a point. I am not the end-all, be-all authority on education. I feel confident in my classroom and I know my students just like you know yours. But I am tired of people in positions other than in a classroom making decisions for my […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, High School, Literacy
Creating Safe Spaces Within Our Classrooms
This year I will begin my “lucky” thirteenth year in the classroom in my current district, and my second year teaching junior high. One of my strengths as a teacher is my classroom management. It’s been something that has come naturally to me ever since my days of student teaching and I credit it all to […]