How to Choose the Right Seating Chart
Are you suffering from seating chart envy? A teacher down the hall has embraced flexible seating. Your next-door neighbor uses tables. But not you. Whenever you move away from desks…
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How Morning Reflection Develops Teacher Metacognition
As a teacher, morning reflection powerfully directs your day. You don’t need to get up earlier or change your routine. Instead, just shift your way of thinking. (more…)
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Introducing an Easy Way to STEM Your Science Activities
STEM your science activities! It’s easy. Just add technology, engineering, and mathematics. Voila! Your science lesson is transformed into a STEM activity. (more…)
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How to Energize Science Activities for Kids
Energize science activities for kids! How? Above all, let kids get their hands on science. Then try these simple strategies. They’ll transform instruction. First, ask for generalizations. Second, encourage inquiry.…
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How to Ramp Up Science Activities Using the Fair Test
For a full-blown experiment, kids use the fair test. They compare two (or more) things. All other variables are controlled. Asking students to measure and repeat seals the deal. (more…)
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How to Use Scientific Inquiry in Your Classroom
Scientific inquiry starts with a messy problem. Kids find the solution by trial and error. Give your science activities a little twist – and let kids figure stuff out themselves.…
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How to Encourage Kids to Make Generalizations in Science
Generalizations force kids to zero in on scientific concepts. For higher level thinking, give your science activities a twist. Begin with a conceptual question. Present a science activity. Then ask…
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12 Ways to Improve Narrative Writing [Third, Fourth & Fifth Grades]
Improve narrative writing in your classroom with a dozen handy hints! Focus on one or two each time kids write, and watch their writing shine! Read on for ideas and…
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Teaching Kids to Write Stories [Fiction and Personal Narrative]
Teaching kids to write stories is a year-long process. To build strong structure, use these four steps. 1) Begin with a simple story line. 2) Help them focus on the…
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Teaching the Two Sides of Writing [Fiction and Nonfiction]
Teaching the two sides of writing is the essential piece in your ELA instruction. First and foremost, kids must understand structures of fiction and nonfiction writing. Fiction writing uses a…
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