Dear Tired Teacher...

We're heading for the last few days of June, so we're in what for me is the weird limbo time of reflecting over last year and thinking ahead to what I want to try next year. Some days, I felt like my classroom management was 🔥. Other days, not so much. And just to be clear, I don't mean classroom behavior management . I mean workflow and how we move through the class period smoothly. I'm still working on understanding how some days were great and other days...well, maybe not. Here are some tips to consider for planning next year's class structure. (Yep, talking to myself here.) Routines -  Starting the class period off right can set the tone for the rest of the time together. Greeting students at the door lets them know you're present that day, prepared and ready to work, and that your expectations start at the door. Have a simple, engaging task ready for students as soon as they walk in. It could be a journal prompt, a math problem, or a test-prep review ques...

Teachers give so much of themselves to their students, the school community, their own families, and other social obligations. That's a lot of output, and it can leave us feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. I have made it a habit of listening to podcasts and audiobooks to support my mental and emotional well-being and to sustain my personal and professional growth.  Here's what I've been listening to lately. I hope these podcasts will be as helpful to you as they have been to me. (New links will be posted at the top of the list.) "Adding Rigor to Your Daily Teaching" from Professional Development Sessions "Brene with Emily and Amelia Nagoski on Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle" from Unlocking Us  (Note: Y'all know Brene will say anything , so I'd listen to most of her podcasts with headphones.) "Why Students Give You the Blank Stare, and What to Do About It" from The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast "Two Effe...

As educators, one of our goals is to provide students with the tools they'll need to succeed, both academically and socially, in an uncertain future, and one of the most effective strategies in achieving this goal is through fostering a collaborative classroom environment. Encouraging collaboration among students not only enhances their learning but also lightens the load for teachers. Sounds like a win-win for tired teachers: make your job a little easier while at the same time boosting student engagement and preparation for future endeavors. Collaboration is a vital 21st-century skill, and it's never too early (or too late) to start having students learn to collaborate. Here are eight practical tips to help you promote a cooperative environment in your classroom. 1. Create a collaborative classroom culture Start by building a classroom culture that values partner work and teamwork. Make it clear that collaboration is an essential part of learning. Remind students frequently t...

 Dear tired teacher... The end is nigh, but the end-of-year tasks are piling up and the students are getting antsy. It makes for long days. So how can you keep students learning and engaged while cutting yourself some slack? Maybe you could harness their increasing desire to talk. The Harkness Discussion method was developed in the 1930s and used at Phillips Exeter Academy. It's simple, but not easy. Everyone sits around a large table (or in a classroom, circle up the desks). This includes the teacher. Start by posing a question and from there, students engage with each other through asking and answering other questions. The role of the teacher is facilitator while providing minimal direct instruction. Generally, though, you just support and encourage student engagement without dominating or driving the discussion. The dialogue and thinking are student-centered. With its emphasis on critical thinking, students have to prepare themselves by reading, generating questions and possible...

 Dear Tired Teacher... It's close to the middle of May, and for many of us, that means it's close to the end of the year, our energy, and our fire. We're tired.  My school is seeing lots of change - maybe they're good, maybe not. We are on the state's naughty list (low-performing schools), and with that comes added oversight, responsibility, and stress. In the end, though, it's going to be for the best. Our school will emerge revamped and refreshed, and we'll be ready to take on the world. But not today. Today we are tired. Here's what I use regularly in ELA, and not just when I'm tired. I can tell you it works for any text, any level student, any subject. Little to no prep. You can do it today. It's that simple. More importantly, though, it that it's GOOD. PALS is a research-based partner reading strategy. Students take turns reading aloud to their partner, who "coaches" them, and then they switch roles. You can set a timer for the...