Recently, we experienced a school-wide Internet outage where I teach, and being without access to the World Wide Web really threw my students and me (along with everyone else in the building) for a loop. The days we were out of Internet, I had planned for students to make presentations that were stored in Google classroom, print papers to turn in, among other things that required Internet. It's not the first time the Internet has gone down in our rural school, but going without really kicked my Plan B mindset into gear. So, I've put together … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Keep Students Tuned-In at the End-of-the-Year
It's getting to be that time of year when things get a little crazy - a little sideways. Students - and teachers - are starting to tune out! So hopefully, these ideas will make these end-of-year days less stressful, and more fun. Plus, these 5 ways to keep students tuned-in at the end-of-the-year are all student-centered and standards-based, so the kiddos stay engaged, and your job is easy. Join me for a fun recap of 5 ways to keep students tuned-in this time of year. Perfect for any secondary education classroom.1) Make It … [Read more...]
Making Learning Interactive: 5 Strategies for the Secondary Classroom
Keeping kids engaged and involved is one thing. Keeping teenagers engaged and involved is a whole other issue. However, interaction of some sort is a staple for just about every day in my classroom to reinforce, review, or revitalize a lesson. Whether it is just a quick conversation with a shoulder partner, a game that requires movement to demonstrate understanding, or a hands-on task, students do appreciate the opportunity to get out of those straight rows for a few minutes. Here are 5 interactive strategies to engage secondary … [Read more...]