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

Especially in this season of teaching, it is so important to know how to be trauma informed in the classroom. Trauma-informed teaching is a philosophy and set of practices that take into account how people’s early experiences influence their learning, behavior, and health. Trauma-informed teaching recognizes the signs of trauma in people’s lives, understands common … Read more

After teachers learn all about the benefits of a hands-on learning experience, they almost immediately start searching for experiential learning lesson plans. While there are a lot of them out there, sometimes it seems as though the same few get recycled over and over again. Why not use this list to shake up a tired … Read more

When teachers learn about experiential learning activities, they are optimistic, but there is always the lingering question of true, long-term experiential learning benefits. We’ve seen trends come and go in education and wondering about experiential learning benefits is a valid thought. No one wants to put effort into something that doesn’t have any long-term promise. … Read more