Articles for Teachers
Too Much Background! | For Teachers
Not long ago, teachers in a district I was working in were talking about how they’d love to teach a lesson, but they’re hesitant because of all the teaching time they’d need to spend building enough background knowledge. Maybe you can relate? But consider this: what...
Another Overrated Education-ism | For Teachers & Coaches
One of the things I hear teachers say quite a bit is that in order for kids to be able to write, they have to read. And yes, technically that is true. But a lot of times when teachers say that, what they really mean is that they are going to delay teaching writing...
Why Accelerated Reader is So Misused in the Classroom | For Teachers & District Leaders
I’ll admit it: I have concerns about accelerated reader. Now, don't shoot the messenger! Just consider the following: Accelerated reader doesn't track skills. If you're using it to figure out whether kids are growing skill wise, it's not equipped to give you that...
The Bane of Existence for Skill Building | For Teachers
We realistically need about 47 minutes to cover this issue properly, but since nobody has time for that, let’s get to it! I want to talk about the difference between a skill and an activity. A skill is the ability to do something. An activity is an...
How to Teach Note Taking | For Teachers
There's no doubt that these days, no matter what class, kids are having to take in a ton of content. One of our biggest struggles is figuring out not only how to teach kids to take in a bunch of content… but then actually remember it too! In my experience,...
Don’t Take Their Word For It | For Teachers, Coaches, & Principals
When I go into classrooms to demonstrate a lesson, teachers can be really quick to tell me, “Oh, this particular kid is special ed, or this particular kid doesn't like to talk out loud.” Sometimes even the kids try to regulate me! If I call on a certain student...