It’s time for a vlog post! This week I’ve taken to video format to show you how to use students’ Lexile scores and reading levels to inform educational decisions. I’ve included a breakdown of two of my classes’ Lexile scores and how I plan to use them for groups and seating charts. A quick note: […]
Teaching Strategies
Digging into data: Analyzing IEPs to be an effective teacher for students with disabilities
In my previous post, I discussed the 5 types of data that every teacher needs to collect to move their students forward. Today, I’m going to focus on one type of data mentioned in that post – Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). All teachers – whether they teach accelerated or special education students – will come across […]
When ignoring data drives teachers down the wrong path
Data. Analyzing data. I remember that I would literally groan and face palm when I heard an administrator mutter those words. At my previous school, the discussion of data was always paired with bad news regarding test scores. Or targeted populations. Sometimes the doom of program improvement, and teaching to the standardized test. At the […]
Why I choose to strike a balance between paper and digital learning
Are you someone that uses worksheets in your teaching? I am, despite the fact that I’ve read different blog posts and articles from educators that eschew the practice for more “hands-on” and “real” learning experiences. Don’t get me wrong – I believe that much of the learning should be a real-world experience for an authentic […]
How to overthrow in-service days and up your professional development
Ah, the joy of back-to-school in-service days. The long meetings with agendas set by administration. At least an hour poring over the staff handbook (again). Being the passive receiver of content rather than engaging in or creating it. The double-standard of constantly being told to not teach this way, while enduring it year after year. This […]
What to do when it seems like nothing you’re doing is working
Educators know that all-too-familiar feeling of desperately trying to teach an important skill or concept, only to be faced with a sea of blank and/or confused faces. We try and try again, convinced that we found the right angle, and nothing changes. It’s as if our teaching has suddenly become ineffective, even if we’ve taught for […]
Reflecting on my own progress at the end of the first grading period
I love looking back and reflecting on what works and what doesn’t. Like giant shoulder pads didn’t work. Flannel shirts and Doc Martens absolutely did. Today I had my students blog about their grades for this first grading period. I’m trying to encourage them to be more metacognitive and reflective, and this time was no different. For […]
Surprise and delight parents and send praise home
For the past five Mondays, I’ve set my intention on who I’m going to single out for the week. No, not in the negative sense, but with a purposeful one. Every Monday, I pick five students in each class who I will observe that week, and whose parents will receive virtual praise on Friday. Why do I do […]
