You have to reach them before you can teach them. Do you agree or disagree? Do students need to feel emotionally connected to their teacher in order to get the most out of instruction? How do emotions impact learning? How much emphasis do you place on your relationship with your students? Do social-emotional teaching strategies increase student achievement? Before we go…
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure here. I am a Kobi Yamada picture book groupie. If you’ve read his What Do You Do books, you already know what I mean. It’s rare that a picture book author can convey such powerful messages in so few words. Read on for a book review and classroom activities for What…
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure here. My guess is that you fall into one of two categories. Either your administration is pushing hard for growth mindset instruction OR you’ve done the research and want to incorporate these concepts because you know they can be transformative. In either case, you have 6 hours to teach 9…
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure here. “I can’t do this stuff!” Suddenly Jackson’s math paper sails across the table. Even though you immediately want to retort, “Jackson, we’re only 4.2 seconds into math time,” you know that won’t help. His confidence is zero. Begging him to try won’t change that. Now what? He has successfully…
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Fists clenched. Your jaw… well, you actually wonder how your teeth aren’t chipping or shattered yet. Jamie’s done it again. You know because you see Hiram’s face tucked in his arm. Based on the heaving movements of his body, you know his tears are flowing strong. What did she say or do this time? Deep breaths. The depth of your…
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure. You barely make it to Saturday morning (GASP! Yes, ONE day after school gets out) at the end of the school year and you hear, “MOM, I’m BOOOORED!” HERE. WE. GO. #sigh You patiently (#butnotsopatiently) ask, “Well, what do you want to do?” “I don’t know….. I’M BORED!” A mere twelve…
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