I love learning games. They’re a great way to build camaraderie. They create fun and energy. They also have a knack for making information stick. One of my favorites is called the vocabulary game. It’s a review game you can play for virtually any … Read more
If you’re currently struggling to manage group work, it’s already too late. You’ve missed the boat. There is nothing you can do to fix it unless you’re willing to go back to the beginning. No, I don’t mean to reteach it. I mean to … Read more
Many students do poorly because they believe they’re incapable. They’re just not good at school. And it shows in their lack of enthusiasm toward learning. This in turn causes more failure, which further reinforces this belief. It’s a never-ending cycle. Tragically, most teachers make … Read more
The culture of teaching says that you must support, support, support. You must do more, give more, talk more. So when you notice a student who you know has the ability just sitting there, producing zero work, you get nervous. You pace, tap your … Read more
You taught your group-work expectations in exacting detail. You modeled what it should look like. You had a few students model while everyone else looked on. You took your time. You checked for understanding. You made sure your class was ready before trying it … Read more
Classroom management isn’t micromanagement. It isn’t narration and correction. It isn’t guiding, advising, or praising students through every this and that. It isn’t shepherding them like little soldiers from point A to point B. This is handholding—which is a gross misunderstanding of effective classroom … Read more
This has been the most requested topic so far this year. And it’s an important one. Independent practice is the most critical factor in developing academic skill and competency. Done right, it can also profoundly affect maturity, mental toughness, and enjoyment of learning. So … Read more
A student questioning a grade isn’t a problem. In fact, it should be encouraged. Inquiring why they received a particular grade shows initiative and the desire to do well. Following up with how they believe they deserve a higher grade is, in my book, … Read more