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The Secret Sauce: How to Create a Positive Vibe in Your Inclusion Class
(Hint: It’s way more than just lesson plans!) If you’re co-teaching an inclusion class, you know the drill. You spend hours meticulously co-planning, differentiating, and modifying, but sometimes, the vibe just isn’t right. The truth is, even the most perfect lesson plan can fall flat if the classroom culture is lukewarm. For our students—especially those navigating learning differences—culture is the oxygen. When they feel safe, seen, and valued, the math clicks and the writing flows. So, ditch the dry manual! Here’s a super practical, fun-focused guide to building a vibrant, positive culture in your ELA and Math inclusion classroom. Part 1: The Foundation—Setting Up for Success Your first step is…
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Strategies for Differentiating Instruction in Inclusive Classes
Inclusive classrooms are places where all students with different learning styles and abilities are given access to an education. As an inclusion teacher, it is your job to ensure that all students, regardless of their background or ability, have access to meaningful learning opportunities. Differentiating instruction isn’t just a helpful strategy—it’s the cornerstone of success in an inclusive setting. Here are practical, effective strategies to help you differentiate instruction and support all learners in your classroom: 1. Know Your Learners Start with a deep understanding of each student’s strengths, challenges, interests, and learning preferences. Use tools like: Interest inventories Learning style surveys IEPs and 504 plans Ongoing formative assessments The…
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How to Build A Relationship with Your Students
Research shows that students learn better from teachers that they like. If you think about it, it makes sense. If you don’t like your instructor, you probably are not going to be as open to the information that they are sharing. Not every student is going to like you, and it is not our job to be their best friend. But if you can build an appropriate relationship with your students you will create a more positive classroom environment where more learning will happen. Build a Relationship by Asking Questions Students will feel like you care about them if you are curious about their life. On a Monday morning, ask…
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10 Ideas for Whole Class Rewards for Your Secondary Students
Teaching in a middle school creates interesting challenges. I always struggle with finding rewards and incentives that are age-appropriate for them. Middle schoolers are stuck in an awkward place where they are still young at heart, but most of them are trying to look and act like high school students. In a time where research shows that PBIS is the best method for classroom management and to create a positive whole-school community, it is imperative to find whole class rewards that motivate your class. Flexible Seating Options We would all love to implement flexible seating options into our secondary classrooms. But, often our biggest fear is the classroom management complications…
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Benefits of Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) seems like the new buzz word in education. I have sat through staff meetings focused on it, professional development seminars and I have taken courses on it. But SEL isn’t a new concept, it just existed in the past under different names. I’m sure you’re saying, when will I find the time to teach another new idea in my classroom. I am already crunched trying to cover my grade level standards! SEL Can Improve Schoolwork and Academics Students who feel safe and supported can focus on their academics. When students are in an environment that promotes SEL tend to be more comfortable asking for help. They…
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Why You Need a Bell-Ringer
What is a Bell-Ringer? If you are new to teaching, or in a school where this isn’t a term that is used, you’ve probably seen something similar. Bell-Ringers are activities students do as soon as they arrive in class. It is usually something quick and typically I don’t give a problem that the students are not going to know how to do. Here are the reasons why you need to be using a bell-ringer in your classroom. Classroom Management Bell-ringers are great for classroom management. We all know that students do better when they have a routine that is expected. Ideally, students know what to do as soon as they…
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Using Positive Language to Empower Your Students!
Do you use positive language to handle behaviors in your class? As teachers, we have the power to set the tone in our classroom. Do you want students to walk into your classroom feeling like they are constantly making mistakes and failing? Or, do you want students to walk into your classroom feeling like it is a safe space where they can thrive? If you are taking the time to get advice and read articles, I think I know the answer to that question. You are obviously the type of teacher who wants to make your classroom the best that it can be. Reminding yourself to use positive language in…
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What to Do When You Have a Substitute Teacher
Being out of school can be stressful, I, like many others, have gone into school when I probably should have stayed home because it was just going to be more work to be absent. Here are some tips to make things easier for you and for your substitute teacher. Have an afternoon routine. If you have a daily routine where you leave your classroom ready for the next day, it will be easier for unexpected absences. Often the biggest issue with an unexpected illness is that you did not make the copies that you need to make the day before. You thought you would have plenty of time before school…
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What to Do When You’re About to Lose Your Cool
We’ve all had those days. The days where you are so frustrated at your class that you feel like you’re about to hit your breaking point. Don’t let this get to you, it does not make you a bad teacher or person. We are all human and sometimes we get frustrated with the situations that we are in. Working with students can be exhausting! Maybe you’re running off little sleep, and little Susie WON’T STOP TALKING during your lesson. Maybe you don’t feel good and your class just isn’t listening! There are so many situations that can bring out the worst in us and you can’t let it get you…
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4 Classroom Management Tips for Middle School
Teaching middle school is tough, heck being in middle school is tough! Everything about middle school makes people groan when I tell them what I do for a living. But, even though I never pictured myself as a middle school teacher (I was convinced I would be Ms. Honey from Matilda), I LOVE my job. I love the age and the kids and even the girl drama makes me chuckle from time to time. But it is a tough age for classroom management. The students are no longer at the age where they want to please you, and all they care about is what their peers think. Here are 4…
