Teaching the CRAAP Test

The CRAAP Test can be used to teach students how to find reliable information online.

How to Teach a Water Bottle Rocket Project

I’ve spent years teaching design and science, and by far my favorite end of the year project is the Water Bottle Rocket Project. It is fun, exciting, gets students outside, and it really challenges students to use all the skills they’ve been working on throughout the whole year. In other words, it is the perfect … Continue reading How to Teach a Water Bottle Rocket Project →

My Plan For The First Day Of School

My first day of school is already next week! I am getting pretty excited about starting another year, but also quite nervous. One thing that has helped me prepare for the first day is to write out a detailed plan of my first lesson. Sometimes I even teach it to an empty classroom, just to … Continue reading My Plan For The First Day Of School →

An Introduction to Design Thinking

Design Thinking. What is it? What does it do for teachers? Why am I hearing about it? Can I do it? These questions - and more - will be answered in an upcoming short series of articles, linked below. An Introduction to Design Thinking The Design Framework Researching Planning Creating Reflecting I’ve been teaching design … Continue reading An Introduction to Design Thinking →

How Teachers Can Get More From Twitter

Thanks to user growth and books like Teach Like a PIRATE (#ad), Twitter has grown into a professional tool used by many educators. From tweet chats to networking, Twitter can be a dynamic support for teachers. If you have never used Twitter before, or if you are participating in a chat tonight, here are some … Continue reading How Teachers Can Get More From Twitter →

Teaching Tip # 21 – Cultural Behavior

Student misbehavior may instead be cultural behavior used at an inappropriate time.

Inappropriate and Cultural Behavior Despite preventative practices in the classroom, students will eventually misbehave, requiring a response from the teacher. Sometimes teachers can easily make a mistake and attribute student behavior as negative. Instead, it may be cultural behavior. Cultural behavior is behavior driven by culture, rather than work avoidance, trauma, or something else. If … Continue reading Teaching Tip # 21 – Cultural Behavior →

Teaching Tip # 20 – First Response to Misbehavior

Establishing classroom procedures, building relationships with students, thinking about the details of a lesson - all these practices are important in preventing misbehavior in the classroom. But if there is one truth in education, it is this: At some point, a student will make a behavioral mistake. What will be your first response to misbehavior? … Continue reading Teaching Tip # 20 – First Response to Misbehavior →

Teaching Tip # 19 – Restoring Student Relationships

Strategies: Restoring Student Relationships Dr. Clay Cook, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, has developed a method he calls EMR, which focuses directly on establishing, maintaining, and restoring student relationships. Students crave genuine relationships, and often times students who find themselves in the most trouble are the students who need genuine, positive relationships the … Continue reading Teaching Tip # 19 – Restoring Student Relationships →

Teaching Tip #18 – Maintaining Student Relationships

Strategies: Maintaining Student Relationships Dr. Clay Cook, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, has developed a method he calls EMR, which focuses directly on establishing, maintaining, and restoring student relationships. Students crave genuine relationships, and often times students who find themselves in the most trouble are the students who need genuine, positive relationships the … Continue reading Teaching Tip #18 – Maintaining Student Relationships →

Teaching Tip #17 – Establishing Student Relationships

Establishing Student Relationships with Classroom Strategies Dr. Clay Cook, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, has developed a method he calls EMR, which focuses directly on establishing, maintaining, and restoring student relationships. Students crave genuine relationships, and often times students who find themselves in the most trouble are the students who need genuine, positive … Continue reading Teaching Tip #17 – Establishing Student Relationships →