Having students who are creative usually doesn’t just happen; but if they are encouraged to be creative and given the tools and resources to be creative, our classrooms can be seedbeds of creativity. Here are ten different ways...

On a fairly recent choir tour, a few of my former students asked me a thought-provoking question: “What makes a good teacher?” Right away, I thought of the academic content. A good teacher should really know his or her content...

As the end of the year approaches, many teachers look back on what went well and what they want to keep for next year, as well as which areas they need to improve upon. I’m happy with my current schedule, and it took a lot of...

What should kindergarten and first grade teachers prioritize in order for their students to have a positive early school experience that equips and prepares them for the rest of their school years? 1. Security. First of all,...

Two former students of mine asked me to fill out a survey for papers they are writing about becoming teachers in the future. The questions were thought-provoking, and I thought the answers might resonate with others and hopefully...

Fair and Square First of all, I prefer to grade in a way that is what I call “fair and square.” If there are twenty-five questions, then they are each worth four points. If there are thirty-three questions (or close to it), then...

The atmosphere and attitudes in our classrooms can largely determine whether or not we will have an enjoyable year or a challenging one. In this talk, Deanna discusses six specific ways you can make your classroom an enjoyable...

Juggling two or more grades in a classroom definitely has its challenges. This session covers four ways you can work toward an efficient, organized classroom with motivated and happy students. This may be especially helpful for...

There are a few responsibilities teachers and/or administrators should handle regarding field trips. Here are the ones I think are pretty important. 1. Logistics. Have your ducks in a row. Make sure permission slips are signed...

Handwriting gives us a view into a student’s brain. I have found that ninety-seven percent of the time I can view a student’s handwriting, and almost immediately make a very close estimation of their grade—and I’m usually...

I have a few fond memories of my elementary school physical education days: the time we filled a real parachute with ping-pong balls, stood around it in a huge circle, held on to the edges, and shook it up and down in giant waves...

Patiently waiting for a first grader to painstakingly sound out a word, resisting the urge to help him out or correct him, and then relishing in the moment when he pronounces it correctly—this isn’t something most people can...

You can get more out of your students by presenting thought-provoking, inspiring examples and additional ideas. One of the most effective strategies that can be used in the classroom is to give students creative examples and...

Being organized is often an indicator of a student’s success in school, and it certainly does help a student function better. When everything is in its right place, all assignments written down, and student activities directed in...

One of the most exciting tasks we teachers can pursue is cultivating curiosity in our students. When our students are curious, they are usually engaged in what they are learning, enjoying themselves, and eager to discover more...