My husband and I visited Waco to tour all things Magnolia back in June. It was an amazing trip -- I love going on trips to new places because I can let my brain relax, and I feel so inspired. Magnolia was no exception - inspiration is everywhere. So, I said I can let my brain relax, but what really happens is that it just gets filled up with all kinds of new ideas at every turn because of all the awesomeness around me. Chip and Jo have truly built an empire that personifies their greeting "Welcome Home." If you read my previous blog post … [Read more...]
A Formula for Teaching Writing with Success, Series: #1 Planning
A couple of years ago I did a series on my formula for classroom success. It entailed topics like classroom management, planning, organization, etc. You can check all those topics out here. In those years since, I have been developing a resource and a series that defines my formula for a different topic: writing instruction. I get asked all the time for help and tips for how to teach writing, and I never really knew how to answer my colleagues who asked me to pinpoint what I did. I've seen success with my students' writing in my classroom … [Read more...]
What I Learned About Test Prep from My Handgun Permit Class
Last week I took a handgun safety/permit class. My husband had accidentally let his permit expire, so we decided to take the class together this time around. I wasn’t super sure it was something I wanted to do, but I accepted the challenge. While I was taking the class, it dawned on me that I really hadn’t been a student in a really, really long time, so I'm glad that I had this opportunity. As a result, after the second day of class, which was the performance test, my head was swimming with ideas for this blog post – super fitting for … [Read more...]
Benefits of Using Task Cards in Middle and High School
Using task cards in middle and high school can be hugely successful. Interestingly, I was using "task cards" in my high school English class before I knew they were called that - and way before they looked so cute! If I needed to guide a particular group on a topic or break up the assignment, I would often just grab some colored index cards and a sharpie and begin assigning the tasks, differentiating, or reviewing! Now with the wonderful world of technology :) and access to tons of programs, task cards can come in any form or fashion. Here … [Read more...]
What I Learned about Teaching from a Country Music Concert
Being from Tennessee, I grew up visiting Dollywood theme park and listening to southern gospel music and pretty much anything with a country twang. So when I had the chance to see Dolly in concert just a short drive my own Tennessee mountain home, I seized the opportunity. About that same time frame, another favorite - Jason Aldean - was playing nearby, so I snagged a ticket to his concert as well. I guess you know you are a teacher, though, when… you can’t even go to a concert without having your classroom on the brain. Well, … [Read more...]
