Instructional Strategies

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 […]

If you’ve ever asked your students, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and been met with blank stares or answers like “a YouTuber” or “someone who gets paid to nap” (relatable), then it might be time to introduce the Job Skills Matchup game into your classroom. This simple, hands-on activity helps

So you want to teach your students about time travel paradoxes. You brave, brilliant soul. Maybe you’ve read The Silent Guardian and thought, “Yes, let’s absolutely unpack the existential horror of collapsing timelines with a room full of teenagers.” I support this decision. There is no better way to build critical thinking skills—and also make

1. Use Think-Pair-Share Instead of tossing out a question and waiting for that one student (you know the one) to answer, try Think-Pair-Share. Give everyone a moment to think, then pair up to discuss before sharing with the class. It gives all students a safe entry point into participation—and saves us from the dreaded awkward

As teachers, we’ve all experienced the frustration of students simply refusing to do their work. I’ve been there countless times, standing at the front of my classroom wondering how to get students to engage in assignments without feeling like I’m pulling teeth. Through trial and error—and more coffee than I’d care to admit—I’ve learned several

As a teacher, I’m always on the lookout for interactive activities that not only engage my students but also promote critical thinking and broaden their understanding of the world. One such activity that has proven to be a hit in my classroom is the “Guess My Job” career game. This game is a twist on

Teaching students about various professions can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, especially when trying to keep them engaged. One innovative approach to making career exploration exciting is through career games like the Career Speed Dating Activity. This interactive exercise not only energizes the classroom but also provides students with a deeper understanding of multiple