There are the classroom interruptions that you cannot control: fire drills, alternative bell schedules, and fill-in-the-blank with about a zillion other options. However, there are so many interruptions that you can minimize to maximize the effectiveness of your classroom time. Every minute counts! Let’s chat today about common classroom interruptions and some ways to combat these ...
Tips for Teaching from a Cart
Are you a nomadic teacher? No single classroom to call your own, but instead, you travel from classroom to classroom teaching from a cart? TIPS for Teaching FROM A CART The idea is simple. Instead of rotating hundreds of students, rotate the teachers. This makes sense from a logistical standpoint, but it does add 16 more things for teachers to think about on a daily basis. (Did ...
Utilizing Classroom Jobs to Save Time
As a teacher, I firmly believe that students can learn anything. This applies to academics, character, and …. helping you around your classroom! Today I will share some practical tips on utilizing classroom jobs to save time. Benefits of Classroom Jobs Provides students a sense of ownership and community in their classroom When done correctly, classroom jobs can remove another task ...
How to Teach Problem Solving
Problem solving can be a challenge to teach. Perhaps, it is because we are trying to teach students to manage and implement a myriad of skills: thinking, observing, investigating, reasoning through situations, and accessing prior knowledge. Check out these strategies to get students thinking! LISTEN ON: APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY Problem Solving with Word Problems In the book The ...
Math Problem Solving Strategies
How many times have you been teaching a concept that students are feeling confident in, only for them to completely shut down when faced with a word problem? For me, the answer is too many to count. Word problems require problem solving strategies. And more than anything, word problems require decoding, eliminating extra information, and opportunities for students to solve for ...
5 Ideas for Open Number Lines
What is an Open Number Line? An open number line is exactly what it sounds like - a blank number line that students can use to solve a multitude of middle school math problems. Open number lines provide a great visual for abstract concepts. Let’s talk about 5 ways to use open number lines in middle school math! 1. Fluency Adding friendly numbers - This method leaves one ...
5 Tips for Implementing Performance Tasks
The first performance task that I ever implemented was district provided and meant to replace the standard benchmark assessment. It did not go well; students felt defeated and I felt frustrated. Here is what I should have done: Before I begin, let’s talk about what a performance task is: “A performance task is any learning activity or assessment that asks students to perform to ...
3 Benefits of Math Word Walls
Word walls contribute function, beauty, and support students’ acquisition of math content. What is not to love?! Let’s chat about why every math classroom can benefit from a word wall. You can also read more tips about implementing a word wall here. What are the benefits of a math word wall? 1. BUILD A COMMON VOCABULARY BANK Word walls are a necessity for math. In middle ...
Using a Word Wall in Middle School
Word walls can feel like one more thing to maintain in the classroom, but when I see a student reference the word wall for help, then the word wall is well worth the extra effort. Here are a few tips I have for creating, maintaining, and maximizing the use of a middle school math word wall. Keep reading to check out Maneuvering the Middle's new Middle School Math Word Wall. 1. ...
Using Test Corrections as a Tool for Mastery
Teaching students to do test corrections doesn’t have to be time consuming or result in a paper pile! Test corrections are actually one of my favorite tools for pushing students and measuring their progress. Giving math tests can be equally rewarding and frustrating. As a teacher, you can see what skills your students really understood and what skills you ...