A BIG List of Instructional Strategies for Teachers Instructional Strategies for Engaging Students and Promoting Effective Learning As educators, we’re always seeking new ways to engage our students, meet their diverse needs, and make learning meaningful. The key to effective teaching isn’t just about what we teach but how we… Continue reading
As a teacher, I’ve always wanted my students to not just read but to truly engage with texts. Yet, so many of them go through the motions—reading the words without really thinking about what they mean. That’s why Disrupting Thinking: Why How We Read Matters by Kylene Beers and Robert… Continue reading
The First Days of School: A Must-Read for Every Teacher When I first started teaching, I was overwhelmed with questions. How do I set the tone for the year? What routines should I establish? How can I ensure my students are engaged from day one? Thankfully, I discovered The First… Continue reading
The Power of Personalized Learning Strategies As a public school teacher, I often reflect on what personalized learning strategies truly mean in the context of modern education. Imagine stepping into a classroom where the “one size fits all” approach is a thing of the past. Instead, students embark on individualized… Continue reading
When I first heard about dynamic assessment, I’ll admit I was skeptical. Another educational buzzword, I thought. Another strategy that sounds great in theory but becomes just another administrative headache in practice. But after implementing it in my classroom, I’ve discovered something far more nuanced and powerful. Dynamic assessment is… Continue reading
As a teacher, I’ve learned that each school year brings its own unique set of challenges. This year, that challenge arrived in the form of a new student – the kind of arrival that makes every educator take a deep breath and prepare for the unexpected. When I received that… Continue reading
As a classroom teacher, I’ve noticed a recurring theme in education: the disconnect between those who develop educational strategies and those who implement them. Nowhere is this gap more evident than in the current push for personalized learning technology, particularly in mathematics. The Promise vs. The Reality The sales pitch… Continue reading
Every morning as I walk through the doors of my classroom, I can feel the weight of our school’s challenges. Teaching in a Title I school has always been demanding, but recent years have brought an unrelenting set of pressures that test even the most dedicated educators. This isn’t a… Continue reading
The Socratic seminar is a powerful tool for teaching critical thinking and effective communication. It is a method of discussion that encourages deep thinking, active listening, and respectful dialogue. Imagine a group of people sitting in a circle, each with a different perspective on a topic. They are all eager… Continue reading
How many times have you tried explaining the importance of math class to your students? How many times have you tried to get them to see how important basic math skills are in “real” grown-up life? Mathematics is a fundamental subject that is necessary for functioning in the modern world.… Continue reading
Way back when I was actually a Communications/Media major in college. That was before I went on to obtain my teaching degree. People considered a degree in Communications about as useful as a degree in History. Now we are living in an age where almost everything is about a new… Continue reading