Are you a new instructional coach? Trying to figure out how to organize yourself but not sure exactly where to start? Let me show you some of the forms and tools I use as a coach. First off, figure out your priorities. You can’t do everything all at once. If you’re new to your school, take some time to observe…
A rubric is supposed to make grading projects or presentations more fair. But do they always? No, they don’t always grade as fairly as we hope. That’s why it’s important to reflect after you grade projects with a rubric for the first time. You can do the following activity to check. Do on your own using several examples of student’s…
A noisy classroom isn’t always a bad thing, sometimes it means students are excited and actively involved in hands-on, group activities. However, teachers always need a way to regain student’s attention so they can give further directions, answer questions or just transition the class to another activity. Here are some strategies to calm a loud class and regain their attention.…
As the world continues to evolve, so must the educational methods that prepare students for the real world. One such methodology that has been gaining popularity is Project-Based Learning (PBL). PBL is a student-centered approach where students learn by applying concepts to solve real-world problems. In this post, we will discuss what PBL is, the benefits of using PBL in…
QR codes allow students to scan a code from their phone or tablet and immediately view a website, document, video or presentation. Although many teachers know what QR codes are, most aren’t quiet sure how to incorporate them into their classroom. If you need more step by step instructions on how to create a QR code click here. Otherwise, check…
Spies and secret agents have always fascinated me! (CIA I’m still open to being recruited if you’re reading this). I once visited the National Spy Museum in Washington D.C. and it was so cool. If you ever have a chance, definitely don’t miss out on going there. Because I know I’m not the only one who is fascinated by the…
Whole-class discussions can encourage students to learn from one another and to talk about content in their own words. In a previous post I mentioned 5 tips for Leading a Great Discussion. Today I want to dive deeper into one of those tips. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your class discussions go from good to great, keep reading.…
Whole-class discussions can encourage students to learn from one another and to articulate content in their own words. Mixing in discussions can help maintain students’ focus. As they discuss their answers, they get different perspectives on the topic. Good questions and answers can get students to think deeply about the topic and make connections. However, not all class discussions are…
Let’s face it, many students today wish they could spend every minute on the computer playing games. As educators, we can use their natural interest in the computer to create interest in doing other things. Beyond that, using techology is a critical skill all students need to know to be successful in our world today. The websites below are free…
Looking for ideas for your Valentine party this year? Here are several great ideas that you can do with almost any age group. 1. Candy Heart Patterns Print these free candy heart patterns and have students use real candy hearts to continue the pattern. You can focus on colors using these pattern cards or you could focus on words if…
