Quiet Signals and Timers

…timer on their Smartphone as a count down or count up timer. The obvious problem with using this strategy is that you have to have your phone on and you…

How to Get Kids to Slow Down with Their Work

and why. Emphasize quality of work and expectations. 2) Have a turn-in tub “timer.” Don’t “open” the tub until you think the appropriate amount of time has passed. 3) Circulate…

5 Ways to Make Your Students Smile

and then, especially those that may need a smile. Kids tend to open up more, tell funny stories, and laugh when they are in smaller groups. You get to see…

The True Cost of Free Teaching Resources

open up about the costs associated with creating and sharing teacher resources. Let me start by saying that in most cases, those who say they wish everything was still free…

Try This When Kids Are Absent!

…the assignment on the front. When the absent student returned, he or she was given the packet of make-up work which included due dates. As each assignment was turned in,…

Using Weekly Letter Writing In the Classroom

…you thinking: • Current Events, Sports, Holidays • Funny or Bizarre Holidays and Dates • Current Classroom Topics of Study • Follow Up or Reflecting on Read Alouds or other…

What are Cooperative Learning Structures?

…Learning. It’s the best resource around for cooperative learning, and it clearly explains dozens of structures! Sample Structure: Numbered Heads Together Number students off from 1 to 4 within their…