Middle school students are both exciting and difficult to teach. They are exciting because they are moving toward adulthood and constantly changing. They are difficult because they are not fully mature and often lapse into behaviors of younger children. Finding classroom management techniques that work at this age takes some trial and error. Here are […]
behavior
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, How to Fix Education, Uncategorized
CA Bill Addresses Suspensions and Expulsions
Millions of students get suspended from school every year – and it is mostly students of color. According to the US Dept. of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, 16% of black students are suspended every year, compared to 5% of white students. When a student is suspended, he or she falls further behind in school, […]
Posted inClassroom Management, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum
Simple Student Hacks for Elementary Teachers
Education is personal and teachers work with an ever-moving target of standards and expectations.  Throw children into the mix and there is not a one-size-fits-all answer.  Each student comes into the classroom with their own history, experiences, needs and circumstances.  We have students who “fit the mold” of a learner.  These students learn in many situations, […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Elementary School
In This Classroom We Do…
As you think about setting up your elementary classroom this year, start with your theme.  What interests or passions do you have? How can you share these with students to demonstrate life skills of persistence, listening with understanding, thinking flexibly, questioning, creating, imagining, learning from failure?  Our school-wide theme this year is CHAMPS and I am using […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
My Favorite Videos
A couple of years ago, I learned how to ‘rip’ videos from the internet and embed them in a powerpoint. That was the beginning of an era. I have wiled away many an hour on youtube, TED talks and other internet sites watching videos . . . one video leads to another and another and […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
Looking at the 'Small' Picture
My family and I attend Lifechurch.tv. Now don’t stop reading and get offended because I’ve thrown a church reference in there. This isn’t going to be churchy. Or preachy. Or holier-than-thou. This month’s series is over Small Things, Big Differences. And although Pastor Craig IS focusing on a more church-appropriate message, I have been thinking […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, From the Front Lines, New Teacher Bootcamp, Opinion, Parents
'Grown-Up' Problems in Our Kids' Worlds
[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”] I absolutely love this beautiful, fall weather! In Oklahoma, it seems like true fall usually lasts about a week, but we are being blessed this year with an actual season of […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Opinion
Dealing With Entitlement
[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”] I just got back from picking up the durable medical supplies that my mom lost in the tornado. It’s been a little over a month since two terrible storms ravaged my […]