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Teaching can be one of the most rewarding professions in the world, but let’s be honest—it’s also one of the most challenging. The constant juggling of lesson planning, grading, parent-teacher conferences, and adapting to ever-changing educational policies can feel like running an uphill marathon. And then there’s the emotional toll of helping students through their […]
Using Adversarial Growth to Become a Happier Teacher Read More »
When it comes to choosing book club or literature circle sets for students, it’s not always as simple as picking a popular title and hoping for the best. We all want our students to be engaged and excited about reading, but there’s a bit of an art to selecting the right set of books that
How to Choose the Best Book Club Sets for Students Read More »
I’ve seen education fads come and go. Too often, educators (or perhaps administrators) want to rebel against traditional teaching methods in hopes of finding some kind of pedagogical golden egg. But there isn’t a golden egg. What we have are some great methods that have been rigorously tested and studied. Right now we’re caught up
Why Traditional Teaching Methods Still Matter in Modern Education Read More »
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 they feel the same end-of-year fatigue as I do. It seems the summer itch has struck early this year, or perhaps it’s just my perception.
Can Classroom Priming Activities Boost Student Focus? Read More »
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 Kill a Mockingbird on an audiobook isn’t very thrilling for fifteen-year-olds. It’s not even my fault; I’m told to teach that sleeping pill to students
How to Wake Up a Sleeping Student: 10 Fun & Funny Methods Read More »
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: using some variation of a hypnotic script and psychological priming activities in the classroom. In this blog post, we’re going to explore the latter. The
New Potential: The Power of Classroom Priming Activities Read More »
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 from various stakeholders and has finally released its proposed UDL updates. These changes reflect the understanding that educational environments must evolve to support every learner
Embracing Inclusive Education: Understanding the UDL Updates Read More »
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 year with a focus on how these innovations and changes shape how students learn. From inclusive classrooms to the rise of artificial intelligence, these trends
Key Educational Trends in 2024: What’s Shaping Learning? Read More »
In an era dominated by digital innovations, the mobile phone has become a ubiquitous presence in the lives of students. Offering instant access to information, communication, and entertainment, these devices have reshaped the landscape of education and social interaction. However, the benefits of mobile phones are accompanied by significant challenges, particularly concerning mental health and
Why We Need to Remove Cell Phones In Classes Now Read More »
In the dynamic landscape of modern education, project-based learning (PBL) has emerged as a pivotal instructional strategy, reshaping how students engage with their learning environments. At its core, PBL is an educational approach where learning is anchored around the completion of projects. These projects are typically complex, require significant time and effort, and aim to
Maximizing Project-Based Learning Strategies in Class Read More »
