Author name: Dylan Callens

metacognitive reading strategies

Metacognitive Reading Strategies Every Teacher Should Try

I’ve spent two decades watching students zip through pages without really thinking about what they’re reading—like driving on autopilot and missing every landmark. Metacognitive reading strategies switch off that cruise control. They invite students to notice their thinking, steer it intentionally, and arrive at meaning on purpose. In this post, I’ll unpack what metacognitive reading […]

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sel journal prompts

40 SEL Journal Prompts to Cultivate Classroom Connection and Emotional Growth

If you’ve ever wondered how to fit social-emotional learning (SEL) into a jam-packed schedule, journaling is the secret sauce. A quick daily prompt turns five quiet minutes into a powerhouse practice that: Builds self-awareness – Students name their feelings instead of bottling them up. Strengthens empathy – Reading peers’ optional shares broadens perspectives. Improves self-management

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magnetic poetry lesson plan

Magnetic Poetry Lesson Plan: Turn Your Whiteboard into a Poem-Making Factory

Harnessing this power in the classroom need not be complicated. With a magnetic board and a thoughtfully selected set of word tiles, you can create a dynamic environment in which students explore poetic structure, refine word choice, and collaborate with ease. The lesson plan below provides clear objectives, materials, and step-by-step guidance—whether you prefer to

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scientific method worksheet

Your Ultimate Scientific Method Worksheet for the Classroom

If your students ever blurt out “Why does that happen?”—congratulations! You’ve hit the entry point to the scientific method. As teachers, we’re constantly looking for ways to channel natural curiosity into structured inquiry. A well-designed scientific method worksheet gives students that structure, guiding them from an initial question to a solid, evidence-based conclusion. In this

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Career day role play lesson

Career Day Role Play Lesson: An Engaging Career Game

Choosing a career path can feel overwhelming for students, especially when their knowledge of the working world is limited to what they see around them. One of the most exciting ways to expand their understanding—and spark curiosity—is through an engaging career day role play lesson. This activity not only introduces students to a variety of

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Dual Coding

Unlocking Deeper Learning with Dual Coding

Ever finish a crystal-clear explanation only to watch understanding slide off your students like water off a whiteboard? Don’t blame them—or yourself. Blame the limits of working memory. Dual coding offers a scientifically tested workaround: pair concise words with purposeful visuals and the message sticks. Think of it as cognitive Velcro for your lessons. What

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inferencing anchor chart​

How to Create and Use an Inferencing Anchor Chart that Supercharges Comprehension

Every time students read between the lines—guessing why a character slammed a door or predicting what might happen next—they’re practicing inferencing. Yet many readers don’t realize how often they use background knowledge and textual evidence to arrive at those unspoken conclusions. An inferencing anchor chart turns that hidden thinking into something they can see. By

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Musical poems lesson

Musical Poems Lesson Plan—When Poetry Puts on Headphones

Why a Musical Poems Lesson Rocks (Literally) I’ve yet to meet a teenager who doesn’t perk up when the speakers crackle to life. By hitching poetry to a catchy melody, we hijack students’ natural sense of rhythm—making meter, figurative language, and theme feel less like homework and more like an impromptu jam session. Learning Objectives

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Multiple means of engagement

Multiple Means of Engagement: More Motivation in Every Classroom

Ever taught the period right after lunch on a gloomy Tuesday? I have, and I swear half my class tried to hibernate under their hoodies. That was the day I discovered the magic of multiple means of engagement—UDL’s fancy way of saying, “Give students more than one good reason to care.” What exactly is “multiple

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