I have been trying to sell resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, and I admit to stalking checking out some of the top sellers. Many of them sell handouts or posters, or worksheets that teach students to identify literary elements. In my opinion, this type of lesson is a complete waste of time. There is no […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Embracing Questions: Why I Chose Inquiry Based Learning
Last fall, my principal kept preaching about Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and how the entire faculty should be changing our curriculum to fit this philosophy. Ineffectively for me, all of her examples were math and science related. Scouring the web didn’t inspire me either. My colleagues and I could not picture a way to completely rewrite […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
My Favorite Routines for Classroom Management
I am all for getting students to try new things and push their boundaries once in a while, but I don’t think it will come as a surprise that one of the best ways to manage a class is to establish routines and then stick to them. Students know what to expect, they feel comfortable […]
Posted inChild Development
You Can Teach Children Living in Poverty
Right after you begin your daily class starter, Johnny comes into class late and doesn’t have his supplies. He looks despondent. Next thing you know, he’s thrown his books on the floor and put his hoodie on over his head. What do you do? Consider this: Does Johnny come from a house where he has his […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Why Your Students Need Creative Writing (And You Need it More Than They Do)
I have taught the most driven, elite-college bound students, and I have taught students who barely squeaked through their graduation requirements. I have taught students for whom English was their favorite class of the day, and I have taught students who let out a big sigh every day when they walked through the door. I […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Techno-Sceptic’s Guide To Using Technology in the Classroom
I am not usually a big fan of technology in the classroom. To quote a former colleague on the subject, it’s often just “window dressing.” Just because students are using computers or smart boards or document projectors doesn’t mean that they are learning 21st century skills. If all that they are doing is coloring in […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
[Podcast] Season 2: Episode 1- Classroom Libraries How to Build Them For Independent Reading and Choice
Introduction Welcome to Episode 1 Season two of The Educator’s Room podcast! In this episode, Franchesca interviews, Colette Bennett, Literacy Teacher Extraordinaire and proponent of choice in reading. This year we are going around the world to talk to educators who are doing awesome things- just like you. Starting the school year is always tough for […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching Civil Discourse in Toxic Political Times
It is impossible to ignore the downward spiral of discourse and debate in American politics over the last year. Teachers pay special attention to public discourse because they know that what happens at the higher elevations of society always trickles down to their students. How adults in leadership speak to and about each other will […]