It’s frustrating. You start your class working on an independent project, a writing assignment, or a rotation of centers, then begin quietly calling selected students for small-group instruction. And for the first few minutes it goes well. But just as you settle in and … Read more
Most teachers don’t observe their students enough. Because they’re too busy meeting with them. They’re too busy leaning down to help. They’re too busy scurrying from student to student talking them through every this and every that. They assume that if you don’t look … Read more
Friendship drama. The very words can make you shudder. Tears, jealousy, hurt feelings, histrionics, he said-she said . . . Although it’s the last thing you ever want to deal with, you simply can’t ignore it. Because it will dominate the lives of whoever … Read more
Heartfelt praise based on true accomplishment is powerful stuff. It feeds your students’ internal motivational engines. It spurs them to greater success. It reinforces the slow-to-grow belief that hard work matters, that it really is more than worth the sweat and toil. Certainly they … Read more
One of the most common errors teachers make when presenting lessons, providing directions, or otherwise addressing students is to string sentences together with very little gap between them. In other words, the teacher will move from one thought, idea, or bit of information to … Read more
So you’ve got this awesome science lesson planned. The materials are all laid out. Your lab coat is hanging on a hook behind your desk. Your fake horned-rims are dangling conspicuously from the breast pocket. Your students know they’re in for a cool learning … Read more
When individual students misbehave, it’s common practice for teachers to pull them aside and ask why they did what they did. But rarely is it a simple request—because the majority of students will be less than forthcoming in their response. They’ll deny and distract. … Read more
It’s a common complaint. You give a direction and . . . nothing happens. Your students just sit there—like they didn’t hear a word you said. A few begin moving, perhaps, but slowly, even grudgingly. Others look at each other like, “Oh, are we … Read more