Category Archives for Professional Development
Teaching during a pandemic: Everything is changing
It’s August now – the month when teachers traditionally decorate their bulletin boards, prepare their lesson plans, and get ready to welcome a new group of students to their classroom. At least that’s
Click to continue »Why can it be so hard to teach students to write?
If you are a teacher who has struggled with teaching your students to write, you’re not alone. The research studies and reports have become relentless over the past couple of decades: Students are having
Click to continue »How to expand students’ vocabulary in different and fun ways
Is stale the best word, or is stagnant better? Is there rain outside, or a deluge? Do you hear noise, or a commotion? And are the differences important? They are, especially in a world where teens text
Click to continue »How to teach art when you think you aren’t an artist
“Oh, no, I can’t even draw a straight line.” That’s the response many people give when the topic of art comes up. The thing is, art is not about drawing straight lines. And if you need one, you
Click to continue »Students with anxiety and depression: How teachers can help
The statistics tell the story: More students of all ages – from elementary through college – are living with anxiety and depression than ever before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Click to continue »New Year’s Resolutions for Teachers: Make 2020 a Creative, Passionate year
Every January, the temptation beckons: New Year’s Resolutions. Will this be the year that we actually lose a few pounds, spend more time with your family, learn healthy recipes, or increase your activity
Click to continue »Can ‘genius hour’ bring passion into your classroom?
Imagine your boss telling you that for a certain period of time each day or week, you get to work on a project that feeds one of your passions, even if that project doesn’t directly have an impact on
Click to continue »Why and How to Create a Makerspace in Your School
Think about the elementary school library of your childhood: shelves, books, table, and a librarian who focused a lot of her time keeping kids quiet! Now, imagine if a corner of that library had been set
Click to continue »When Standardized Tests Change the Classroom Climate
Photo credit: Siaath via iStockphoto Five years ago, researchers for the National Education Association (NEA) surveyed 1,500 teachers from pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 about standardized testing. The results
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