Let’s try something. I’m going to utter a few words that are ubiquitously shared countless times a year in school settings across the United States, and I’d like you to pay close attention to your instinctual response. Ready? Here goes… S.M.A.R.T. goals are due. Did this statement ignite a...
Virtual Learning: 20 Structures for Small-Group Instruction
Virtual learning presents plenty of challenges, so we gotta take the wins as they come! In my current role as a middle school Literacy Coach, one thing I believe our English team can chalk up as a W is the progress we’ve made with small-group instruction. Don’t get me...
Virtual Learning: It’s Time to Log Off, Friends
It’s 11:17 p.m. on a Wednesday. My cursor is taunting me as it blink, blink, blinks in blank text box in the back end of WordPress. Write something, it seems to say. It knows I’ve neglected my blog for over a month. But, doesn’t it understand why? Doesn’t it know that...
Virtual Learning: 25 Social-Emotional Learning Activities
The COVID-19 crisis has turned children’s worlds upside down. Our students are coping with a wide range of stressors, and as educators, we of course want to do our part to keep them physically and emotionally safe. To help them navigate these uncertain times, school divisions across the nation...
Virtual Learning: Maybe We ARE Prepared for This
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” ~Vivian Greene COVID-19 life is heavy, especially for educators. I can’t pretend like we don’t have an ENORMOUS challenge on our hands. I’ve been concerned about how we can support all students socially,...
Virtual Learning: 13 Tips for Zoom Breakout Rooms
Zoom has been booming, especially in the world of education. When coronavirus sent schools into emergency virtual learning last March, educators (like myself) hastily learned how to utilize this video conferencing platform to interact with students, colleagues, and sometimes parents. We dabbled, but most of us didn’t get the chance...
Virtual Learning: 33 Ways to Build Relationships
“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.” ~Dr. James Comer Relationships matter. We know this. We’ve always known this. In fact, it’s the exact reason many of us chose education as a profession. We believe in the power of connection in learning and in life. And collectively, we’re...
Virtual Learning: 10 Best Practices for Parents
This past March, nearly every school across the United States closed down the doors of their brick-and-mortar buildings to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Overnight, teachers tackled online instruction while parents plunged into implementing virtual learning plans from home while juggling jobs. It wasn’t perfect. Far from...
At-Home Activities for Early Learners: Best Buys on Amazon
Has 2020 unexpectedly appointed you to be your child’s teacher? Or, does this “unprecedented” (over this word) virtual, hybrid, or even face-to-face school year have you seeking ways to supplement your child’s learning? I can relate on a different couple levels. As a parent, I was planning to place my three-year-old son...
Combat COVID-19: Easy, At-Home Summer Learning
Parenting tiny humans is exhausting. Parenting tiny humans during a pandemic is a whole ‘nother level. One thing that may be weighing heavily on your mind is the social, emotional, and academic toll this health and economic crisis may be having on your kid(s). As an educator/mom, I’m right...