Search Results for: student engagement

Gamifying education is a huge buzz right now in schools. This doesn’t mean that students spend their time gaming during school, as many would believe. Instead, gamifying education allows students to actively engage with content in ways that worksheets and lectures simply can’t replicate. One way that many teachers are doing this is by creating … Read more

Finding the right classroom management observation tool can feel like searching for a working pencil sharpener…everyone claims to have one, but most leave you frustrated.  I learned this the hard way when I walked into my first high school classroom as a fresh history teacher. I had my lesson plans ready, my instructional materials organized, … Read more

I started teaching in 2007, right before the slide began in education to **waves hand around** whatever this mess is.  At the time, I was convinced I knew what good teaching looked like. Students would read, we’d discuss, they’d write essays, and I’d grade them. Simple. Predictable. Control. Almost two decades later, I’ve learned that … Read more

I’ll never forget my first year in the classroom. I stood at my door before the first bell, armed with a clipboard containing 17 rules, 3 warnings per student, and absolutely zero idea what I was doing. My mentor teacher, bless her heart, watched me crash and burn for about six weeks before gently suggesting … Read more

Though we know our administrators constantly mention its importance, there are often gaping holes in their explanations regarding the importance of child-centered education. There is a multitude of reasons why this teaching methodology is not only important but extremely effective. However, often the importance of child-centered education is overlooked as soon as a teacher tries … Read more

If you have ever pondered why classroom management is important (realistically), you are certainly not alone. At its core, good classroom management transcends merely keeping students quiet; it is the foundational framework that enables student learning and academic achievement. A well-managed classroom is not an accidental occurrence but the result of intentional classroom management practices … Read more

Walking into a middle school is like stepping into a whirlwind of energy, growth, and discovery. For students, these years are a profound journey from childhood into young adulthood, a time of exhilarating and often confusing change. For the teachers who guide them, the challenge is both immense and deeply rewarding: how to harness that … Read more

Designing effective group learning activities is a delicate balance. It is remarkably easy for these exercises to devolve into a scenario where one team member assumes all the responsibility while another manages to skate by with minimal contribution. This dynamic can undermine the common goal and hinder the development of crucial decision-making skills and creative … Read more

Have you ever noticed that when something goes wrong, a communication breakdown is often at the root? This underscores why, as educators, it is essential to establish clear, reliable methods for fostering effective classroom communication. Whether between students, colleagues, families, or between teacher and student, good communication in the classroom is foundational to a positive … Read more

It was the middle of a Tuesday in October, a year I’ll never forget, and I was standing in front of a class of 34 high school students who had collectively decided that my lesson on the causes of World War I was the perfect time to stage a silent revolt. Heads were down, eyes … Read more

Here’s the thing about classroom management that I’ve learned over the years: structure isn’t about control. It’s about freedom. When you’re standing in front of twenty-five students who are all moving at different speeds, the difference between chaos and productivity often comes down to one simple tool. A timer for classroom activities tells students, “This … Read more