Some children can turn getting ready for homework into an event of its own. They need a different pencil, a drink, a better chair, and perhaps a full discussion of why the kitchen table is suddenly unacceptable. By the time they sit down, everyone is tired of homework, and no
A free Canva template for reading journals, recommendations, analysis, and more! I love keeping track of the books I read, but a handwritten list does not capture the feel of a reading year for me. Book covers do. When I look at this spread in my reading journal, I can
Don’t you love it when games you like in real life work beautifully in the classroom? This is one of those games! I’ve got loads of ways you can use the Heads Up vocabulary game in your class, so let’s jump in! What is the Heads Up Vocabulary Game? Heads
It was my granddaughter’s birthday last Friday, and I took time off work to go have lunch with her at school. Before I did, her mom said she would check to make sure it was okay because if they’re testing, no one can come for lunch. That got me thinking
I admit it: I’m a Potterhead. I love Harry Potter, and I love anything that lets me use Harry Potterishness in class. This is one such activity. I’ve been teaching for.ev.er, and this activity is a standout one with students. It’s one of the most popular articles on the entire
Printing on Post-its is a super useful trick to know how to do. It’s not complicated, but these steps and tips (and the free template) will make it super easy! I wrote this article after I’d struggled to figure out the best way to do it and wanted to help
Teachers ask questions all day long. We ask them to check for understanding.We ask them to keep students engaged.We ask them because silence feels uncomfortable. And yet… Have you ever asked a question and gotten an answer that felt technically correct but somehow… empty? Or tried to start a discussion
The Frayer model is one of the few tools for teachers that’s been in classrooms longer than I have. When I first started teaching, I was using it, and it’s still going strong in classrooms around the world. Let’s find out why the Frayer Model has enjoyed such long-lasting popularity!
Turning Professional Reading Into Classroom Practice True Confessions: I’ve bought so many books on pedagogy that I have never read. I had the best of intentions, but it never happened. They just sit on my bookshelf resenting me for buying them and never even cracking the cover. The really frustrating
We’re used to using tally marks for math, but tally marks can help you teach vocabulary, too. It’s very simple: just use tally marks to track words you’re trying to practice. Like anything else that sounds simple, there’s more to it if you dive in! How to Use Tally Marks
Even when I’m teaching science or math, my English degree means that I love using poetry and literature to teach every content area. Cinquain poems are one of my favorite things to use to get students connected deeply to the concept we’re studying. Cinquain poems are perfect for teaching vocabulary
I recently received a thoughtful email from a teacher who attended one of my Depth and Complexity trainings. She is teaching a self-directed, project-based learning course where students design projects around their own passions and interests. This is the first year the course is running full-time, and she is looking
