Here we are – the long-awaited end of 2020. A year of unprecedented changes. Instead of beating up on the year just past, I am taking a different approach. One of the many social-emotional activities I did with my fifth graders last spring (and then with a new class of fifth graders this fall) was… Read More

Keeping students engaged in learning is challenging under normal circumstances. But during a global pandemic and stuck with remote learning? Well, that’s a whole new ball game. Here are 12 ways I’ve found to keep students engaged. I hope you’ll share your ideas with me! 1 – Use check-in questions as social-emotional temperature checks. Just… Read More

One of the most important goals for my class every year is to build a classroom community. Remote learning (and hybrid learning) make this more difficult, but I am determined to make it work. I believe that students who feel connected to me and connected within our classroom community make higher achievement gains. With all… Read More

Maybe it’s all the COVID statistics and the fact that this virus isn’t leaving any time soon. Maybe it’s all the election coverage with the endless ads on TV, social media, and in the mail. Maybe it’s just that I’m exhausted! But whatever the reason: I’m finding myself in a slump with every day seeming… Read More

We are about six weeks into the school year – just about the time I am re-evaluating what is working for my class and what is not working. Even though I keep focusing on what is frustrating me or “not working,” I forced myself to make a list of everything that IS going well. Here… Read More

I’ve been thinking about routines that worked for my class back in the spring. This year, I plan to start small and choose just one routine to establish at a time. When that is established and I’m feeling on top of the routine, I may add another. Keyword is “may.” I am going to do… Read More