In middle and high school classrooms, teachers, staff members, and administration have unique behavior management challenges. The use (and misuse) of cell phones, destruction of property, and many other insubordinate behaviors can undoubtedly carve a sizable chunk of time away from why we're there-- to educate kids. Here are tips for facilitating positive behavior management in the middle and high school classroom.
Socratic Seminar is a method of discussion and dialogue that follows Socrates' teaching methods. The method stresses the importance of students taking on the responsibility of their engagement. So, instead of a passive approach to the study of literature by simply reading for answers, Socratic Seminar or Socratic Discussion focuses on student-led inquiry and discussion. Here are tips for facilitating Socratic Seminar in your classroom!
While some teachers may groan when conferences come around, I actually enjoy them. I find it helpful to meet a student’s parents and form a friendly and professional relationship with them and work together towards common goals. They can be complex, riddled with conflict, and difficult to navigate, but with some preparation and deep breaths, they can absolutely be something you can handle with patience and grace.
Inspiring students to actually read can be a challenge. Many students choose to take the shortcut and read only the Spark Notes version or watch a YouTube video about the book. But as teachers and lovers of literature, we know this is not the same as reading the original text. Here are some of our favorite practices for getting students to actually do their assigned reading.
Compiled by a bunch of seasoned, veteran teachers, here’s a list of items you should not start school without! Here’s our Practical Teacher School Survival Kit…the 45 things teachers shouldn't be without.
One of the most difficult aspects of teaching To Kill a Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Of Mice and Men, and similar classic texts is how to appropriately and sensitively approach the repeated use of the “n-word” in the texts. Here are some resources and tips for engaging in safe, valuable, inclusive conversations in your high school classroom.
Have you used Literature Circles in your classroom? What technique has been the most successful for you? Here are 5 Steps for Using Literature Circles in your middle or high school classroom.
What helps you remember students' names? While some teachers can have everyone's name down pat by the end of the first period, others need a little more help. If you struggle to remember your students' names, here are a few tested tips to help you learn your students' names fast. Here are 7 Tips for helping you learn and remember students' names in a jif!
In addition to settling into a summer routine and tackling that to-do list, consider some of the following suggestions to help you feel productive yet relaxed and achieve a healthy school/home life balance, even in the summer months. Here are 9 things English teachers should do this summer!
Summer reading can be difficult for students who lack time management skills, motivation, or even the literacy skills necessary to complete the work. Here are tips on creating summer assessment that helps keep students engaged and having fun, and makes your life easier when it comes to assessing summer reading.
