Can Classroom Priming Activities Boost Student Focus?
It’s the end of the school year, and my patience is wearing thin. Looking around at other teachers, I envy their seemingly calm demeanor. But when we chat, I realize
How to Wake Up a Sleeping Student: 10 Fun & Funny Methods
I get it. I’m an old, boring English teacher—the kind that kids will look back on when they’re older and think, “Wow, that guy was bor-ring!” But listening to To
New Potential: The Power of Classroom Priming Activities
Lately, I’ve become fascinated by the idea that seemingly irrelevant activities at the beginning of a class might lead to improved student outcomes. Two ideas have stood out so far:
Why Differentiate TKAM? For Better Student Engagement!
Teaching for almost two decades brings a lot of changes and reflections. Some things get better, some… not as much. Like many teachers, I’ve been shifting towards a differentiated approach
Embracing Inclusive Education: Understanding the UDL Updates
The Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) recently announced that it is updating the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines. The CAST team has spent years researching and receiving input
Unlocking The Potential of Yet in Learning and Growth
Welcome to a journey that transcends the boundaries of traditional learning! In this lesson, we’ll explore the transformative power of a seemingly small word: “yet.” As we navigate through various
The Vital Role of Memory Skills in Middle School Success
Memory skills are essential tools for academic success and everyday life. Educators can significantly improve student outcomes by teaching memory techniques. In the next several Brain Builders Workshops, we will
Key Educational Trends in 2024: What’s Shaping Learning?
The landscape of education continues to evolve, largely pushed by responses to equity concerns and technological advancements. Below we will focus on the ten most important education trends of the
Motivational Handouts for the Brain Builders Workshop
Welcome to the resource hub for Brain Builders Workshop: Teaching Motivation to Middle School Students! Here, you’ll find the downloadable / print-ready documents and handouts associated with the Brain Builders
Personal Interest Projects to Boost Success and Creativity
As we approach the culmination of our personal interest project, it’s time to reflect on the journey we’ve embarked upon and bring our visions to life. Over the next two
Transform a Boring Lesson into Something Exciting!
This lesson should be a lot of fun but you might need a bit of a thick skin while middle school students re-work lessons that they previously found uninteresting. By
Teaching the Impressive Power of Open-Ended Questions
In a world teeming with curiosity and endless information, the ability to ask the right questions is more valuable than ever. This lesson is designed to guide students through the
Fusing Passions and Academic Excellence: A Winning Formula
In this lesson, we embark on a journey to discover how our personal passions and academic excellence can feed off of each other. By exploring the connections between what we
Exploring the Wonders of Curiosity in Learning
In today’s lesson, we will embark on a journey fueled by our natural curiosity about the world around us. Curiosity drives us to explore, ask questions, and seek answers, leading
The Secrets of Learning: Explore the Psychology of Interest
Have you ever been so engrossed in a topic that time seemed to fly by? Whether it’s dinosaurs, outer space, or the latest video game, certain subjects have the power