Author Archives: Learning N Progress

3 Types of Brain Breaks To Improve Focus

In my classroom, we work hard, we play hard. Everyone needs brain breaks, even adults! Students cannot be expected to focus and remain silent for hours. In order to get them to focus during the moments that matter most (i.e. direct instruction), they must have breaks where they can play and simply enjoy being kids.Continue reading “3 Types of Brain Breaks To Improve Focus”

Morning Work: A Time for Play Not Just Practice

Ahh…morning work…a classic way to start the day. This is a tried-and-true strategy, and in my humble opinion, it is a solid way to get the kids in school mode as soon as they walk in the door. Now, often that morning work consists of a worksheet or spiral review. Although that is a goodContinue reading “Morning Work: A Time for Play Not Just Practice”

Classroom Games: Bringing Joy and Play Back into the Classroom

Listen to the podcast episode! Classroom games do more than fill time! They boost engagement, reinforce learning, and build classroom community. In my last blog post, I discussed the importance of incorporating play into the classroom routine. In today’s post, we will take it a step further and discuss how to make that happen withoutContinue reading “Classroom Games: Bringing Joy and Play Back into the Classroom”

Creating a Joyful Classroom: A Student-Centered Learning Approach

Listen to the podcast episode! Imagine walking into a classroom where students are engaged, making choices, and taking ownership of their learning. Sounds like a dream, no? Well, let me assure you that it is completely doable. Active learning, inquiry-based instruction, and collaborative activities all contribute to student agency, which is a vital component ofContinue reading “Creating a Joyful Classroom: A Student-Centered Learning Approach”

5 Ways AI Can Go from Scary to Helpful

AI will not replace humans, but those who use AI will replace those who don’t. -Ginni Rometti The Digital Elephant in the Room I realize that AI is a bit of a hot topic, and we all have mixed feelings about it. I would like to start by addressing the so-called “digital elephant in theContinue reading “5 Ways AI Can Go from Scary to Helpful”

How to Create a Digital Escape Room for Your Class Party

Teamwork makes the dream work. An oldie but a goodie… As teachers, we know that a huge part of our job is to teach our students life skills, such as teamwork, collaboration, compassion, perseverance, and so much more. In previous posts, I shared how to use picture books to teach these skills, as well asContinue reading “How to Create a Digital Escape Room for Your Class Party”

Intervention 101: How to Teach in Small Groups

Intervention should be a bridge, not a destination. -Doug Fisher One common misconception about intervention is that students who require it will always require it. That is simply not true. It is a bridge to reach grade level, not in a subject, but a specific standard. I would encourage you to shift you mindset fromContinue reading “Intervention 101: How to Teach in Small Groups”

Got Data? Now What?! The Pain Points of Intervention

We know as educators how important it is to reteach, yet intervention time seems to be the hardest time of day to plan. As a literacy and math coach, I have had several discussion with teachers on this very subject. Here are the common pain points surrounding intervention: If you find yourself asking any ofContinue reading “Got Data? Now What?! The Pain Points of Intervention”

From Passive to Active: 3 Student Engagement Strategies You’ll Love

Engagement happens when students feel safe, valued, and challenged at the right level. -Carol Ann Tomlinson That’s a big ask…How can we make our classroom environment safe and welcoming all while differentiating? It starts with classroom setup and classroom management. In my last post, we tackled how to create such environment by considering traffic flow,Continue reading “From Passive to Active: 3 Student Engagement Strategies You’ll Love”