One of the most exciting and enjoyable ways to differentiate learning for students is to lead them through a process of independent research. When students get to dig deeply into something they’re passionate about, they have the drive and stamina
You invested hours and hours of time and energy in the first six weeks of school teaching and practicing routines, and it made a huge difference. Students knew what to do and how to do it, and your classroom (usually) ran
For teachers, the return from the holiday break provides a perfect time to reflect. What has gone well so far this year? What could be better? I’d like to offer a bit of advice if you’re considering a New Year’s
Once again, I joined Larry Jacobs on Education Talk Radio–this time to talk about homework. In this lively show, we discuss some of the problems with the way homework is often implemented in schools as well as some ideas for
Today’s post comes to us from good friend and colleague, Kristen Vincent. To learn more about Kristen and her work, check out her bio at the end of this post!
Many teachers and families are wrapping up the fall season
I have always struggled with assigning math homework. I hate the idea of busywork, so work that seems too easy feels like a waste of time. Then again, assignments that are challenging don’t work either since I’m not there to
In this episode of ASCD’s Learn Teach Lead Radio, I share some ideas about why October can be a tough month for educators and some strategies for picking ourselves back up when we’re struggling.
For more ideas for overcoming the
In response to a recent Well-Balanced Teacher Facebook post about teacher burnout, a teacher quipped: “When it’s only a month into the school year and people already feel burnt out, stressed, and overwhelmed, there is a problem!” So why is
In this Atlantic article, Tim Walker explores some of the potential negative impacts of high levels of stress in American teachers. He also pokes at some of the reasons American teachers are burning out at such alarming rates. I was
The first weeks of school are winding down. The weather is cooling off and academic work is heating up. This is a great time to reflect on the relationships you’re building with your class. How well do you know your
Math teachers, I have a warning for you. (Cue ominous music.) There’s a trap that’s lurking around the corner—one that many of us fall into at some point. (Cue increasingly ominous music.) And once you’re in, it’s hard to escape.
Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Larry Jacobs on Education Talk Radio, this time about effective and respectful discipline practices in schools. Here are a few topics we touched on:
Why is it important to think about teaching
There are so many routines to teach early in the school year–it can be a bit overwhelming. Where do you begin?
Of course, there is no one right answer–no definitive list. One way to start is to think about ones
It’s now widely recognized that teachers must teach students the routines of the classroom. This is actually a shift. Years ago, it was often just assumed that kids should know how to walk respectfully in the halls, get supplies and
Teachers are burning out at an alarming rate. Overworked and saddled with increasingly complex and overwhelming responsibilities, not to mention more challenging students and families, many teachers are suffering from exhaustion and chronic stress. Not surprisingly, this has a profound
Setting up classroom spaces has always been one of my favorite things to do as a teacher. Now, as a consultant, I love helping other teachers think of fun and practical ideas for designing great learning spaces. Last year, a
I had the privilege of joining Justin Baeder, Director of the Principal Center, for a fun conversation about my newest book, Learning to Choose, Choosing to Learn: The Key to Motivation and Achievement. In this interview, we discuss many interesting
I was thrilled to once again join Larry Jacobs on EduTalk Radio, this time to talk about how and why to offer students more choices about their learning, the subject of my recent book: Learning to Choose, Choosing to Learn:
Within three full days of work with Mike, my staff was energized and excited to incorporate choice into their classrooms. –Jeanine Heil, Principal, Deerfield, MA
I’ve had the honor and privilege to work with Mike Anderson as a consultant at
In the final weeks of school, teachers can feel even more insane than usual. Paperwork and meetings pile up. As the weather warms, students itch to be outside and start to anticipate summer, for better or worse, leading to more
In May of 2016 I was interviewed on ASCD’s Learn. Teach. Lead. Radio program on the BAM! Radio Network to discuss a few ideas from my newest book, Learning to Choose, Choosing to Learn: The Key to Student Motivation and
One of the most devastating effects of the standardization movement—with its pressures to conform and emphasis on accountability through high-stakes testing—has been the stripping of teacher autonomy—our power to make informed decisions about how best to meet the needs of
Note: This article first appeared on Learning Personalized in April, 2016: http://www.learningpersonalized.com/students-learn-choose-choose-learn/. Thanks go out to my friend and colleague, Allison Zmuda, who originally published the post!
I was recently working with a group of high school teachers, and they
Rod Berger and I had a chance to catch up at the ASCD Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA (April, 2016). Dr. Rod Berger is a global education media personality who has interviewed Ministers of Education, leading voices like Sir Ken Robinson, U.S.
This session summary appeared in the Conference Daily, the daily newspaper for the ASCD Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, April 2-4, 2016. The original link is: http://annualconference.ascd.org/attendee/conference-daily/2016/choose-to-learn.aspx.
April Bailey
Too often, students figure out what they’re supposed to do based