Curating resources & sharing stories to empower teacher & student ownership, wonder, and daring.
You can read countless research studies on a positive environment and how using these positive reinforcement strategies can help you see better behavior in kids, spouses, pets, co-workers and more. When it comes down to it, those who are properly praised for a task will statistically try harder and do better the next time it …
Continue reading “My Favorite Positive Reinforcement Strategies In The Classroom”
I have a kid who really struggles some mornings with wanting to go to school. Once he is there, he’s happy, helpful, and eager to learn. He has friends, gets along with everyone, and loves his teacher. It’s just the getting him there that is hard. I mean, I get it. Staying home and relaxing …
Continue reading “What to do When Your Kid Won’t go to School”
“This is too hard! I can’t do it. I”m giving up!” How many times as an educator (or parent) have you heard those words? I’m not sure I could count the number of times I heard my students say things like that. To be honest, I know I’ve said those things to myself as an …
I apologize for being somewhat distant from this blog for a few days. I try to post as regularly as I can, usually Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. People like consistency! Lately I’ve been processing so many different situations and emotions. How I personally can change my home and my community to support Black …
Continue reading “There’s A Lot Going On In The World. But We Can Do This.”
Oh, the dreaded clip chart. You know the one I’m talking about. “So-and-so” is being great! Move your clip up! Oh, Jonny, that wasn’t appropriate! Move your clip down!” It’s no secret that teachers have become outraged by these classroom management resources. One quick google search will show you just how unpopular they are. The …
Continue reading “Why I Decided The Clip Chart Wasn’t For Me”
Self-determination. We have such good intentions. We all want it for our kids, and I’m sure most of us (including myself until a recent check) think we’ve got it pretty well covered. But then life gets in the way. We get in a hurry, we run out of supplies, we feel pressure that we then …
Continue reading “The Fragility of Our Children’s Self-Determination #TeacherMom”
“Praise, like penicillin, must not be administered haphazardly. There are rules and cautions that govern the handling of potent medicines— rules about timing and dosage, cautions about possible allergic reactions.” (Haim Ginott, 1965, p. 39) Praise Research Praise researchers have set up various camps for decades. Some maintain that praise encourages student behavior and motivation, advising teachers …
Continue reading “8 Tips For Non-Manipulative Classroom Praise”