At first, it sounds like a recipe for chaos: giving students a say in their own due dates? Really? Won’t they just push everything to the last possible moment? Or worse, never turn anything in at all? It’s the opposite. Giving students a voice in due dates can be a classroom game-changer. It doesn’t mean […]
Classroom management isn’t just about rules; it’s about relationships. If you’ve ever found yourself redirecting the same behaviors over and over again, or wondering why students seem disengaged or resistant, it might not be your routines or expectations that need tweaking. It might be your communication. One of the most powerful tools educators have that […]
Imagine a classroom where students enthusiastically approach every challenge, with the ability to think of multiple solutions creatively, the critical thinking skills to evaluate their options, and the resilience to persist through setbacks. In today’s rapidly evolving world, these skills are not just advantageous but essential. The US’s biggest export is innovation, and as educators, […]
When I was teaching middle school in Milwaukee, we saw a variety of kids who appeared apathetic to learning – but we know kids want to learn. They want to be successful in the classroom. Pao (2014) states this: “Children naturally love to learn but might not like to be taught in certain ways. Teachers’ […]
Why are Critical Thinking, Creative Thinking, and Resilience Important for Students? Imagine a classroom where students enthusiastically approach every challenge, with the ability to think of multiple solutions creatively, the critical thinking skills to evaluate their options, and the resilience to persist through setbacks. In today’s rapidly evolving world, these skills are not just advantageous […]
A recent Atlantic article, The Anti-Social Century, got me thinking about something we don’t talk about enough: our connection crisis and its impact on how kids think and create. It’s easy to point fingers at COVID-19 for the breakdown in social interaction, but let’s be real—it started way before that. Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation traces the problem […]
Let’s be real—professional development (PD) for teachers often feels like something we just have to “get through.” You know the drill: gather in the auditorium, sit through a long presentation, check your email when no one’s looking, and leave wondering how any of it will actually help in the classroom. Sound familiar? The truth is, […]
Reimagine Leadership Change is everywhere, and it’s happening faster than ever. Schools are no exception, so deeper thinking leadership isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. What is deeper thinking leadership? It is when leaders purposely infuse their school culture and climate with meaningful opportunities to embrace creative and critical thinking skills. I recently read a study […]
We need a thinking revolution in our education system Have you ever felt like our classrooms could use a little more fun, a bit more creativity, and a whole lot more critical and independent thinking? Well, you’re not alone! Whenever I talk to teachers, they always mention that kids simply aren’t thinking for themselves anymore. […]
I remember teaching a lesson about the units of measurement to a group of fifth graders who had little interest in the subject. Even I found the lesson boring when prepping for it until I discovered a rap to go with it. My students, all inner-city Milwaukee residents, could rap with the best of them. […]
What happens when we have no teachers left to teach? Nothing good that’s for sure… Education is in crisis. Read any newspaper, watch any news report, or talk to any teacher and they all agree – the educational system is in trouble and will face more trials in the future. Teachers are feeling overwhelmed, underpaid, […]
