Tips for encouraging self-regulation of digital distraction Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! As more schools introduce one-to-one iPad or laptop policies, teachers are increasingly worried about students’ dependence on screens. Devices are now a constant part of their environment and have become their ‘go-to’ […]
elementary classrooms
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Donald Trump Isn’t the Problem…The U.S. Education System Is
When You Can’t Repeat the President’s Words… Last week The Washington Post reported that Donald Trump had an issue with immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries coming to the United States. You probably heard about his choice of language, so I won’t repeat it here. As usual, there was outrage and condemnation from […]
Posted inTeacher Leaders
The Age Of Entitlement
When I first started teaching years ago I was gifted with classes that had almost 100% parent involvement. If I needed items for activities, my parents signed up. If we had classroom parties parents not only volunteered to organize them, but they also showed up to help.  Over the years, this participation slowly declined. Parents were […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Making All Students Feel At Ease
It is so important to make our students feel comfortable upon the first day of school. We need to remember the backgrounds that our students come from. And we can’t assume that just because we have kids from middle-class homes that they are coming from places that have everything together. We also need to remember […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Can Teachers Give Up Power and Keep Their Authority?
When I started teaching in 2007, I came in with very democratic ideals. I wanted my classroom to be a place where kids’ voices were honored. But as a first-year teacher with just seven weeks of training to prepare me, I was totally unequipped to make this vision a reality. At the end of that […]
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 […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured
Elementary Classroom Hacks for Back to School
Classroom teachers have tricks and shortcuts we use each day.  We need things to help manage and protect time, supplies, organization and classroom management.  According to Merriam-Webster “Hack is to manage successfully or a creative solution.”  Here are some classroom hacks to help with a variety of things in your elementary classroom. * Use old (clean) […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, Opinion
Using Edmodo In Elementary Classrooms
I am always looking for new and innovative ways to enhance my teaching and my classroom. Preferably ways which aren’t too expensive. As an elementary classroom teacher, I also have to be careful with what my students are exposed to. To this I have one word. Edmodo. Oh, how I have fallen in love with […]