Tag Archives: Classroom Management

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”

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”

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”

10 Must-Teach Classroom Routines and Procedures to Start the Year Off Right

The first week of school is filled with excitement and anticipation. As teachers, we focus on getting to know our students and building a classroom community. Aside from social-emotional learning, there is one more critical component to a successful back-to-school season: routines and procedures. It is so easy to fall into the trap of talkingContinue reading “10 Must-Teach Classroom Routines and Procedures to Start the Year Off Right”

Setting Up Your Classroom: 10 Must Dos for Any Upper Grade Teacher

It’s that time of year again…pre-Back to School season! This is the time of year when teachers hit up Back to School sales, get out those dusty curriculum guides, and start mapping out their classrooms. Some of you reading this, flip flops on, iced tea in hand, laying out on a beach somewhere, are holdingContinue reading “Setting Up Your Classroom: 10 Must Dos for Any Upper Grade Teacher”