About the Author: Jenn Breisacher
Creating a classroom discipline plan in the present is different than it has been for generations before. While traditionally, classroom rules have laid out expectations and then had punitive, disciplinary action for not following those school rules to try and deter student misbehavior, as time marches forward it is apparent that this model doesn’t do … Read more
Nothing derails a classroom faster than a child’s behavior that is less than stellar. I often find myself reminding teachers that most times when a student is giving you an issue, it actually has nothing to do with you. That’s all fine and good, but that doesn’t help in the moment, does it? What can … Read more
The Renaissance took place in the Italian city-states, beginning in the late 14th century. The first two decades of the 15th century represent the high point of this period of cultural activity. During that time, some very important developments occurred, including new forms of expression and artistic styles. The term “Renaissance” literally means “rebirth” and … Read more
Finding universal classroom behavior discipline techniques that are effective can be somewhat of a challenge. We have an expectation of what student behavior should look like and can identify inappropriate behavior as it happens, but as classroom teachers, how should we collectively address classroom behavior discipline problems? Truly, disciplinary action in positive learning environments really … Read more
A very distinct vision comes to mind when thinking of a traditional classroom in our school districts: the arrangement of the desks, the positioning of the teacher, and the location of the students. However, there are many classroom challenges that are coming to the forefront with this antiquated model of classroom development. One challenge is … Read more
Since starting Student-Centered World, I’ve had the chance to speak with educators across the teaching profession—from new teachers to veteran teachers and school leaders. Teacher stress (or “teacher tired”) is a pervasive issue that affects everyone, no matter where they are in their careers. However, the primary concern given the current teaching climate, universally, is … Read more
There are many moving pieces when it comes to student engagement from the littlest of littles to our oldest of learners. However, even though it may look different depending on what age group you are looking at, the same concepts ring true over and over again. The Learning Process and Student Success It is the … Read more
I talk frequently about self-grading assignments, but sometimes that is actually moving too quickly. It is important to answer the question, “what is self-grading?” before even moving towards how to utilize it in the classroom. In knowing that answer, you can develop a self-grading system, which will work for both the teacher and the student. … Read more
If you’ve been around for a bit, you know that I emphasize that finding self graded assignment ideas will change your life. Some teachers feel it is lazy and others don’t understand how it can possibly work; however, finding self graded assignment ideas will help you get so much time back in your life (both … Read more
When teachers are attempting to determine the best plan for student engagement in their classrooms, they often find themselves asking, “what is an engaged learner?” It’s an extremely valid question because knowing what you’re working towards is a large part of the process. What is an Engaged Learner? There are a variety of different definitions … Read more
Sometimes, quiet and independent work is necessary for the classroom. This could be for any number of reasons, but searching for quiet independent classroom activities is a good start to finding options that will work for your students. The key here is finding activities that will work for your students. This means they buy into … Read more
I cannot stress enough the importance of using classroom management visual aids with your students, no matter how old they are. The majority of students who have behavior problems in the classroom will benefit from using picture charts, but there are specific visuals that can be helpful for different children. Individualizing visual cues is key … Read more