Trapped and muted. Dreams shattered into pieces. Forced inside and away from the friendships that mean so much to them and the school that centers their life. Our students are hurting. So what do you say to them? How do you ease their pain? … Read more
If you’re teaching online, then you know that classroom management is now a lot easier. Distance learning may not be good for academic progress, or mental and physical health, but it’s virtually eliminated misbehavior. It’s kept students from disrupting, interrupting, or ruining your lessons. … Read more
A teacher acquaintance was recently attacked and injured by an enraged six-year-old. She was kicked in the face while trying to calm him down. According to the NEA, six percent of teachers have been attacked by a student. That’s over 200,000 teachers. But you’re … Read more
Wow, we made it! When the pandemic first hit and schools were closing, I wasn’t sure if I’d have enough to write about in 2020. As it turns out, I probably could have posted twice a week. We had some of our most popular … Read more
I read an article recently in which a teacher said he would no longer give failing grades during the pandemic. I get where he’s coming from, I really do. It’s a tough time for many students. But removing the bare minimum standard is a … Read more
There is a growing sentiment among educational leaders that students should be able to turn in work anytime without penalty, even weeks after the due date. The reason, they say, is that removing deadlines evens the playing field. It addresses racial grading disparities and … Read more
Admit it. You can’t stand correcting daily work. It’s tedious. It’s boring. It’s stressful and adds hours to your work week. It’s also a colossal waste of time. Here’s why: Students don’t look at it. One of the worst kept secrets in teaching is … Read more
A rapport-building strategy I wrote about several years ago for in-class learning also happens to be effective online. And that’s saying something. Building rapport online is tough sledding—especially when so many schools and districts forbid teachers from requiring students to turn on their Zoom … Read more