The ability to think big as an adult, to be an idea person, is a gift that sometimes begins with the freedom to think big as a child. The chance to use all the couch cushions, the kitchen chairs, and every blanket in the linen closet, in order to turn the living room into a fortress, is an unparalleled opportunity to learn engineering strategies, cooperation skills and the priceless ability to gain intrinsic pride from an accomplishment. Read More
So how can you put doodling to work in your classroom? Encouraging your students to adopt different ways to learn will help them fine-tune their problem-solving skills. And not only might you find that your student’s retention levels are improving, you will also be seen as collaborating with them during the learning process. Read More
Have you ever noticed that when you leave a cut apple exposed to the air, it turns brown? Using an apple and some other simple household items, demonstrate the basic scientific concept of oxidation in your classroom. Read More
Your classroom may not have the distinction, resources, or approved curriculum to be a full-fledged Montessori, but I highly suggest that you at least look into its founding principles. If you can take at least one thing from your investigation, then your time will have been well spent – and your students will thank you. Read More
The image of Santa coming down the chimney is an accepted icon of this time of year, but if there is one thing that is an absolute hallmark of the holiday season, it’s the trash. It takes a lot of paper, boxes, food containers, ribbon, and sacrificial pine trees to pull this thing off. Read More
Encouraging kids to write, especially those who aren’t that excited about writing, is no easy chore. A simple four-panel comic strip can be a cool writing exercise in disguise. Most kids love comics, so this activity could be a hit and before you know it, get them excited about writing stories. Read More
Films in the classroom can be wonderful assets to teaching, particularly because they add extra emphasis to concepts, engage students, and provide practice for them in aspect of critical thinking. Read More
If you’re a teacher, this has probably happened to you: You’ve assigned your students a reading and selected the text for maximum interest, setting the stage for students to dig in. From all you can see, they are eager to start. Tonight you spend time coming up with a stellar, thought-provoking question to get the ball rolling. Then things get dicey. Read More
Have you ever considered bringing the subtle educational nuances of Scrabble into your classroom? I understand that it’s a two person game, but there are ways of breaking out of that rule, as well as methods that prevent the little wooden tiles from becoming lost, eaten, or otherwise missing. It’s a game I call Wall-Nut Words. Read More
With the beginning of school looming large and fast, I’m dreading not just the daily, early morning school routines (which also tend to involve a lot of bickering, whining, and tears), but also the pall of fatigue that hangs over the household during the first couple weeks of the school year. Read More
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