Most of us know that there are lots of “hidden rules” in life. Don’t peek at someone’s phone screen while they’re texting. Face forward when standing in an elevator. Don’t crowd the person in front of you in line at the grocery store. We were never taught these rules in school, but we all learned … Read more
As teachers, of course we want to support kids however possible, and we know that their mental health plays a huge role in their school success. While we all experience worries and fears, many kids experience anxiety more acutely. The CDC reports that anxiety is the second-most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in kids, impacting nearly … Read more
With more and more classrooms heading outside—and staying outside—during the pandemic, outdoor education is on the rise. Perhaps your school is toying with the idea of a forest kindergarten or an outdoor learning area. Here are some ideas for where to start. As an assistant director for a forest school program in Boulder, Colorado, I … Read more
Third grade teacher Ms. Kim is really struggling with her student Aiden. Every day, he argues over simple things, seemingly just for the sake of causing trouble. He refuses to take responsibility for his behavior, even when caught in the act. And today, Aiden tore up a fellow student’s art project after that student wouldn’t … Read more
News continues to trickle out about the Uvalde school shooting, but in many ways, it already feels like it’s fading out of public consciousness. Summer is here. Kids are out of school, and with the threat of school gun violence feeling less possible because schools are empty, people are allowing themselves to forget. Like always. … Read more
Dear WeAreTeachers:I feel so left out today. Our school is having a spirit week. Today’s theme was “Students Dress as Staff / Staff Dress as Students Day.” There were two popular teachers with a lot of students dressed up like them. The principal even announced it and invited students to their chosen teacher’s classroom to … Read more
We want our students to be independent, responsible, empathetic, and supportive. Planning a project for your students to do to help others is what service learning is all about. One year I invited two homeless teenagers from a local program into my classroom to talk with my second graders about what it’s like to be … Read more
Sweating over needing to teach a demo lesson as part of your new-teacher interview process? We’ve all been there! That’s why we’ve gathered this list of must-have elements to include in a demo lesson. These are the lesson elements interviewers will be looking for, and including them will show that you know your stuff. Plus, … Read more
Kids tote a lot of stuff to school and use a lot more while they’re there. And they need places to stash it all! If your school or classroom doesn’t have built-in cubbies or lockers, you might be looking for other solutions. These DIY classroom cubbies provide options for handy teachers who love to build, … Read more
When it comes down to it, reading might be the most important skill kids learn in school. Being a fluent reader opens up endless opportunities for lifelong learning. That’s why schools and teachers everywhere are constantly trying to improve the way they teach this fundamental skill. One phrase that’s emerged in recent years is the … Read more