The point of teaching is to learn. Each student comes to us with different experiences and this impacts how and when they master the various concepts and skills presented in the classroom. Part of teaching is understanding where students are in a lesson, skill, and unit. Exit tickets have become the buzz, but there are many […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School
Teaching with Controversial Topics
The purpose of an education is to create functioning members of society. It is not about what the author meant when he said this, or what degree of angle is this if the other two are this and that. It is about being able to identify a problem and solve it. Sometimes problems can be […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Give Them Time and A Book of Their Choice in School
I have seen how the monthly Scholastic Publishing Company book flyer can set student readers’ hearts aflutter. Scholastic’s marketing through classroom book clubs gives them direct access to all levels of student readers, and when a school hosts a Scholastic book fair, students can browse books or products with book title tie-ins. Moreover, Scholastic offers resources to teachers including lesson plans, discussion guides, […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Channeling Your Inner Writer
Teaching writing is probably one of my most favorite activities on the planet! It’s my passion! If someone truly wants to be a good writer, it is honestly a simple process that could be accomplished with a just few polished steps. What it takes is concentration, aptitude and deftness. When people bring me their work […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Choices: The Key to Differentiated Instruction
Students have choices. Choice is of the key elements on our new evaluation system, but sometimes I do not have time to offer students a choice. We all are busy, and thinking of new and creative projects is sometimes exhausting and frankly many do not meet the new common core standards. But incorporating choice makes differentiated instruction […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Opinion
Creative Writing Strategies For Elementary Students – Outside Of The Classroom
Writing is a huge component in my second and third grade classroom. Next to speaking properly, communicating through the written word is an important life skill that needs to be developed which will follow children throughout their lives. The sooner the basics of writing are introduced and honed, the easier this skill will become as […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Science, Social Studies
Differentiation in Science and Social Studies: 3 Things to Keep in Mind
A common occurrence across the country is taking students and grouping them by abilities in order to better meet their needs. It is a perfect sounding theory. But once those students are grouped by ability, are they all exactly the same? Absolutely not. So, exactly how do you differentiate for those students within a similar population? […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Elementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
Elementary Math: One Approach to Differentiation
When I was an elementary student, many years ago, I was a quick learner. I remember sitting in the classroom and looking for ways to challenge myself. I was often reading/working ahead or helping others around me. I was thrilled when I made it into junior high and was able to take upper level math classes. Here, […]