Each Friday, I run my class through timed math facts tests. I give my kids five minutes to get through 100 facts. I assess my first through sixth graders on addition and subtraction; my third through sixth grade on all the facts of multiplication and division and my first and second graders on each set […]
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Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
Teaching Strategy: Collision!
I know what you’re thinking – “this author wants to teach us about a game called ‘Collision’? Oh, this can’t be good.” Relax, take a sip of your coffee, and stop to learn this interactive teaching strategy. Ingredients: A class of students An open area to move around A list thought-provoking questions that can have multiple […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Simple Scientific Method For Younger Elementary Grades
My class of first and second graders is working through the scientific method. We have been doing several science experiences a week for the past four weeks. I love how they ‘get it’. Several of my teacher friends think I’m crazy for introducing this concept so early. Those are the same friends who also think I’m […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Teaching to New Rules:Phonics for Upper Elementary
From the day children are born, the race is on here in America. Boy or girl? Weight? Length? And so it begins; how does your child measure up with “average” child their age? We watch for those important milestones. Rolls over, check! Sits up, check! Babbles, check! Crawls, check! Walks, check! The list goes on […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Literacy
The Communication Crisis – Teacher to Teacher Part I
Few people would disagree that communication is essential in sharing concepts and ideas, however, effective communication often seems to elude the masses. Many books and motivational speakers have touched on the subject in one way or another, yet properly passing along information and having it received as intended is not an easy task; miscommunication is. So, how could […]
Posted inFeatured, Special Education
What’s the Difference: Accommodations vs. Modifications
When it comes to accommodations and modifications, very few educators have a solid grasp of the differences between the two. What’s the difference between accommodations and modifications? Here’s how to tell them apart! Accommodations vs. Modifications An accommodation helps a student with learning gaps experience the same curriculum as his or her peers. For accommodation, […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, How to Fix Education
12 Tips for Maintaining Classroom Self Control
[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”] The class is taking a weekly math test. Everyone is working quietly when a fly buzzes across the room. Suddenly, Bingo says in a clear voice, “Here’s my friend, Tony the […]
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4 Things Every Teacher Should Do Before Putting A Child in Time Out
Time Out: We all have that one student. The one that seems to know just how to disrupt, disrespect, and disassemble a class all without meaning to. They are the ones that, when absent, tend to get more done. But what will you do when they are present and ready to disrupt? How do you […]