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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Small Context Changes
Ever notice that when you make a slight change in context, your classroom seems to run more efficiently? Case in point. Yesterday’s writing session was a disaster, with many…
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PD Feedback
Are you using feedback to plan your professional development program? Try these strategies to utilize teacher feedback in the PD process. Rich For more ideas and strategies…