About the Author: Jenn Breisacher

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

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

There are times you can visibly see teachers start to sweat when they realize they have made classroom management mistakes. Listen, we’ve all been there…no matter how dedicated, seasoned, or knowledgable we are. Classroom management mistakes happen to the best of us and it’s truly all about how you respond to them that makes all … Read more

We know that classroom management and discipline go hand in hand, but it is also important to strike a balance that works for all parties involved. When you think about it, discipline is simply an orderly pattern of behavior that helps create a safe learning environment. Students who engage in good behavior are more prepared … Read more

Knowing the appropriate patterns for an experiential learning cycle is important in making sure it is a successful overall experience. It is less important if you are a seasoned teacher trying to master the cycle or a new teacher looking for some guidance. The trick is making sure that everyone in your school and district … Read more

Knowing what experiential learning methods will work best for your students isn’t as challenging as it seems. The following tips will help you know what to look for in the best way to help your students learn. Why Use Experiential Learning Methods? Experiential learning is a teaching philosophy that thrives on engaged teaching and hands-on … Read more