Discover Your SECRET SAUCE
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Discover Your SECRET SAUCE

  The path ahead was clear. I was a brand new teacher hired in late August, and having a few days to get my classroom ready for our early September…
Blanket Forts & Engaged Readers
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Blanket Forts & Engaged Readers

  It’s a simple but effective idea. Each student brings in a blanket (or towel) and uses it in conjunction with their desk or other desks to build a fort…
A PD Museum
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A PD Museum

  It seems like a museum. Honoring everything that we used to do with professional development. Except it’s not what we used to do, it’s what we are still doing…
Game Strategy & Decision Making
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Game Strategy & Decision Making

  I watched a small group math lesson in which students were playing a game trying to build the largest number. The idea was to spin a spinner and use…
High Expectations, High Support
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High Expectations, High Support

  As a classroom teacher, and now as an administrator, I have always believed in “High Expectations, High Support.” I believe that students (and educators) can rise to meet the…
Write for YOU
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Write for YOU

  The words that we write for ourselves are always so much better than the words that we write for others. Don’t feel like you have to inspire anyone other…
Helping Students to Embrace Conflict
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Helping Students to Embrace Conflict

  I’ve noticed this year that students are not very good at conflict. It could be that they really had no one to interact with for a few years. It…
Fewer Things
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Fewer Things

  Your To-Do list will consume you if you let it. The key is only adding meaningful activities to your list. Don’t spend your time chasing other people’s goals. Determine…
How about a Discussion Break?
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How about a Discussion Break?

  Humans are social beings. Many of us thrive on interaction. When I have the chance to observe in classrooms, the best part of the lesson is usually when students…