Moving students from WHAT to think to HOW to think
Maybe sometimes this message enters your brain: "I just don't want to be a burden."Ever thought that?You might have a question. You need someone to do something. You want to share your feelings and hope to be heard. You want to express a boundary. You have an ask for someone.Then that thought creeps ... READ the POST
As secondary English teachers, we often find ourselves grappling with challenges—tight schedules, reluctant readers, and the emotional weight of supporting our students. In those moments, we may feel tempted to view the proverbial glass 🍷 as half empty or half full. But what if we reframe that ... READ the POST
Ever want to do something and that little voice stops you by whispering or yelling limiting beliefs at you: "You can't do that." "That's not how it's done." "What will they think?" Middle and high school can be a petri dish of these limiting voices, but it's not like those voices in our ... READ the POST
You're sitting in the library during your lunchbreak while your admin delivers a decision they've made. Why does this always seem to happen? Teachers, we know those conversations with parents or our administration can sometimes be difficult? Especially when a decision has to be made. Or maybe the ... READ the POST
Jerry Uelsman . . . photographer, art professor, and person I think you should let change your belief about quality and student engagement. He ran an experiment with his art students at the University of Florida. Half of the class he said he was going to grade on quality. Their grade would ... READ the POST
Becoming a better listener is a long journey. I've made lots of mistakes along the way. I'm currently studying the book DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS: How to Discuss What Matters Most. Cannot recommend more highly. One of the biggest reasons I fail at listening is I'm not curious enough to ... READ the POST
Secondary English teachers are always looking for ways to save time. When was the last time you used a pre-made complete novel study? 1. Reduce Your Lesson Planning Time: Complete novel studies are ready-to-go, saving you teachers the time it takes to plan and create curriculum materials from ... READ the POST
Re-Reading Classroom Novels To prepare for Back-to-School, I’ve made a goal to re-read the novels I’ve taught so many times, so I can get my own fresh eyes on the story. I’ve taught them so many times, but if you’re like me, reading it while teaching isn’t the same as reading it to absorb it and ... READ the POST
