Blogs
Encouraging Critical Thinking in Kids with Socratic Seminars
The Socratic seminar is a great way for teachers and students to have meaningful discussions. It's different from regular class talks because students take the lead, encouraging active thinking and open conversation. The skills learned go beyond school and include things like respect, problem-solving, and good communication. The guide helps teachers bring this method into their classrooms, with a focus on respect and listening. Students not only understand the material better but also learn important life skills. The seminar makes sure everyone can join in with tools like talking chips, creating a complete and enjoyable learning experience.
Why (and HOW) You Should Review Your Classroom Procedures All Year Long
This blog post discusses the common challenges teachers face when their classrooms become chaotic, especially during the busy holiday months. The solution is a classroom reset, with a focus on reviewing classroom procedures to restore order. Procedures are the essential gears that keep daily routines running smoothly, covering aspects like morning routines, classroom management, and more. The post also suggests engaging and low-prep ways to review procedures, such as the around the room hunt, games like Procedure Charades or Kahoot, and even humorous meme reviews.
The #1 Most Important Procedure to Teach Your Students
This blog post emphasizes the critical importance of an attention signal in a classroom setting, particularly for teachers. The attention signal is a procedure used to gain the students' focus and is considered one of the most essential procedures to teach. The post discusses the significance of having clear expectations when using an attention signal, ensuring that every student stops what they are doing, turns to the teacher, and responds appropriately.
Why You Should STOP Asking Questions in the Classroom
The key to effective teaching is giving students tasks to do instead of just asking them questions. Task-based teaching not only increases student engagement but also fosters a better learning environment and helps manage disruptions. While mastering this approach may take time, the benefits are worth it. Experiment with various task strategies, and having a list of 50 task ideas can be very helpful. By using these techniques, you'll keep students actively involved in their learning, so go ahead and embrace task-based teaching to make your classroom more engaging and dynamic.
Best Way to Build Classroom Community...Class Houses
Implementing Class Houses in your classroom promotes a strong sense of belonging and community among students. By dividing them into houses you create a more engaging and cooperative learning environment. This approach fosters social and emotional skill development, teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. To succeed, teach these skills explicitly and provide tools for students to thrive in their Class Houses. Schedule time for practice, such as Friday challenges, to enhance skills and add excitement and fun to the classroom. Embark on this rewarding journey of building Class Houses for both you and your students.
Make Grammar Fun Again!
I've turned the tables on the often dreaded topic of grammar. By focusing on teaching essential parts of speech and using engaging games like the Lucky Grammar series, I've made grammar fun and effective. My students now eagerly request more grammar lessons, and their understanding of the basics has greatly improved. Grab the Freebie or the bundle to inject some excitement into your grammar lessons and transform your classroom into a grammar-loving haven!
Winning Over the Grownups: A Guide to Gaining Support for Your Classroom Management System
Effective classroom management is pivotal for teachers, and this guide provides insights and tips. The "No Incentive Classroom Management System" stresses simplicity and intrinsic motivation. Clear parent communication and a conducive learning environment are vital. You have the authority to choose your approach, but confidence and consistency are key. Balancing rewards and intrinsic values shapes students' behavior and development. These principles help build a partnership with parents, contributing to a successful educational experience. Stay committed to teaching self-discipline and responsibility as you implement your management system for your students' growth and learning.
Fall Roundup! Fun Fall Lessons for Your 2nd-4th graders
Fall is an ideal season for teaching, with its exciting holidays, pleasant weather, and occasional breaks. This blog post has highlighted six engaging activities to bring the spirit of fall into your classroom: Halloween rules review, Frankenstein Text Feature Operation, Fall STEM Teamwork Challenges, Fall Lucky Grammar Games, Thanksgiving Text Features Review, and October Callbacks. These activities will make learning fun and memorable for your students during this wonderful season.
Revolutionize Your Classroom Engagement with These 5 Easy Things
In the pursuit of improving classroom engagement, teachers are turning to innovative methods to involve all students actively. Traditional Q&A sessions often leave many disengaged, but "tasking" offers a transformative solution. Assigning tasks that require active demonstration of understanding fosters accountability, boosts engagement, and reduces disruptions. Teachers can also use various voice techniques and interactive activities like "snowball fights," jeopardy, and 4 corners to enhance participation and create vibrant, engaging learning environments for all students.
3 Teaching Hacks that Transformed My Classroom
If you're ready to change up your classroom so it works for YOU and not against you, then you need to implement these teaching hacks. I call them hacks because they're simple. But sometimes it's the simple things that can have the biggest impact. Let's get right into it....
How to Stay Consistent with Consequences
Are you looking for a way to keep consistent with your consequences? You can achieve this by creating predetermined consequences or use mine that have been done for you. Then you teach your students the system and expectation. A consequence is dealt EVERY time a classroom rule is broken. This deters the behavior from becoming contagious and occurring again. Each time a consequence is dealt, you are providing the opportunity for that student to grow and practice growth mindset! This is a skill that is needed throughout life.
Stop Homework, and Try Creative Calendars Instead!
Are you looking for an alternative to traditional homework? Perhaps, you feel that students shouldn’t have to go home and do more school work? This is what I wanted and why I created my homework calendars. Research doesn’t support giving elementary students homework. And honestly, how much of it do you get back and get it back being done well? Families and students have a lot that fills their evenings and more times than not those activities are not scheduled around homework. Why not provide students and families the opportunity of spending time with each other, not stressed by homework, but enjoying each other?