What we learn to do, we learn by doing. Thomas Jefferson As one of our founding fathers stated so long ago, in order to truly learn a new skill, we must use it. Now, in the educational world, this does not mean doing more practice problems. It also does not mean more homework. What itContinue reading “Creative Teaching: An Introduction to Project-Based Learning”
Author Archives: Learning N Progress
Depth and Complexity Icons: Where Book Clubs Meet Advanced Learning
Listen to the podcast episode. Good teaching is good teaching. -unknown source Early on in my career, I had a principal that really inspired me to be the best teacher I could be. When we used to chat about educational philosophies and teaching practices, she would always end the conversation by saying, “Good teaching isContinue reading “Depth and Complexity Icons: Where Book Clubs Meet Advanced Learning”
Flip It: How Can a flipped classroom improve student engagement?
Listen to the podcast. Are you looking to improve student engagement during your differentiated lessons? Would you like to prioritize higher-order thinking skills while meeting the needs of every learner in your class? Then, I suggest you flip your classroom! Flipped learning has been around for almost two decades, though it has gained popularity overContinue reading “Flip It: How Can a flipped classroom improve student engagement?”
Upper-Grade Math Centers: To Rotate or Not To Rotate
Are math centers only for primary grades? Is it necessary to rotate centers? How do I manage math centers and make sure students are on task? Upper-grade teachers, if you are asking yourself any of these questions, you are not alone! As many of you may already know, I have taught a variety of gradeContinue reading “Upper-Grade Math Centers: To Rotate or Not To Rotate”
Differentiated Literacy Centers: A Primary Teacher’s Guide
Reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible. -Barack Obama Listen to the podcast episode. Today, we are here to talk about two of my favorite subjects…literacy and differentiation. As the quote above so eloquently reminds us, literacy is really the gateway to all other learning. In the primary grades, we knowContinue reading “Differentiated Literacy Centers: A Primary Teacher’s Guide”
The 5 Ws of Differentiated Instruction
Listen to the podcast episode. EVERY student can learn just not on the same day or in the same way. -George Evans Differentiated instruction is such a buzzword in the educational realm. As educators, we know its importance, but when was the last time we actually dove into what it is and what it looksContinue reading “The 5 Ws of Differentiated Instruction”
Community Circles: Combining SEL and Classroom Community
Taking the time to build community, to get to know your people will have long-lasting benefits. -Clifton Taulbert Ah…SEL… sometimes I feel like we have a love-hate relationship. It’s not that I don’t see the importance of explicitly teaching social and emotional skills. In fact, quite the opposite! As educators, our ultimate goal is toContinue reading “Community Circles: Combining SEL and Classroom Community”
Picture Books: A Window into the World of SEL
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain. Vivian Greene Although SEL, or social-emotional learning, has been around for decades, it has really made headlines in the world of education since the pandemic. We as educators must explicitly teach students how to manage their emotions. Being ableContinue reading “Picture Books: A Window into the World of SEL”
Summer Planning in 3 Hours or Less
Oh, how we love summer…a time to rest, a time to reflect, and honestly a time to become human again. We as teachers know how truly exhausting the profession is, and everyone outside of the teaching world just doesn’t get it. I think I can speak for most educators when I say the first monthContinue reading “Summer Planning in 3 Hours or Less”
The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Elementary School Teachers
The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you. B.B. King One of the many reasons I enjoy being a teacher is that I absolutely love to learn! Educators are the ultimate lifelong learners…we learn about our standards, our students, the most effective and up-to-date teaching practices, intervention and differentiationContinue reading “The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Elementary School Teachers”