Each year, my students take the MAP (measure of academic progress) test in the fall and then again in the spring. While the test does many fancy things, I use it to determine what grade level my students are coming to me on and tailor my instruction before I learn about their struggles organically. This year, I had students who fell in the second grade range. As a sixth grade teacher, ...
Middle School Classroom Tour
Ya'll, the time has finally come! It is classroom reveal time, so join me on a tour around my middle school classroom. This year I started completely fresh. My school repaints the walls and waxes the floor during the summer, so I have to pack everything up before I leave for the summer. This always feels like a pain, but it gives me the freedom to start completely ...
How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset in Math
I was at the dentist the other day when I shared that I taught math. Like clockwork, the dentist shared that he was in fact a ‘math person.’ This is a common occurrence although most respond that they are not ‘math people.’ When did everyone split themselves into two camps of math ability? I am really asking because I do not know, and I would like to rectify this as soon as possible. ...
Advice for a First Year Teacher
Dear First Year Teacher, As you prepare for your new year, I hope you can learn from my many, many mistakes as a first year teacher. My teacher friend, Eric, said it best, “Teaching is a multi-facted skill: planning, organization, execution, etc. Nobody is good at all or even most of it right away. Know that each year is going to refine your game a little bit more, and focus on small ...
Creating Positive Classroom Culture
Whenever I tell people that I teach at a middle school, people respond with “Middle school? I could never do that,” or “Middle schoolers are so awkward,” which is exactly why I LOVE it! Middle schoolers have the best sense of humor, are unintentionally funny, and they still think your jokes (well, sometimes) are funny. These students bring me so much JOY. Coming from someone who ...
Budget Friendly Classroom Decorations
Confession: my favorite part of being a teacher is decorating my classroom. It is too fun! You take this lifeless, white-walled, empty space and make it vibrant, inviting, and covered in knowledge. You might say this is a metaphor with what teachers do to students’ brains: teachers fill and transform the minds of their students. But, if you are like me, the ...
Tips for Implementing Math Small Group Instruction
What do you do with the kids that “don’t get it”? I think this is a constant battle that we face as teachers. Sometimes it even keeps us up at night. Today I wanted to share tips for implementing math small group instruction. If your classroom functions like mine, a typical class period might consist of a warm up, guided notes, a class activity that is simultaneously accessible ...