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Tips for Google Classroom
So most of us have had to move our teaching online. Unfortunately, there is also no sign as to how long this is going to last. I am using Google Classroom for the first time and trying to figure it out as I go. To try and help you out, I compiled a list of tips for using Google Classroom! For context, I teach eighth-grade inclusion. I co-teach with a math teacher and an ELA teacher and together we are running classes. Create a classroom for each section Maintaining multiple Google Classrooms can seem overwhelming. Especially when this is something that is new to you. When I first started creating…
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Tips for Homeschooling
During this difficult time in our country’s history, there are a lot of people who are homeschooling their children that have never even considered this before. Here are some tips to help you navigate these unfamiliar waters! You Need a Workspace Set up an area in the house where you are going to do all of your work. This is a good tip for kids and adults. Make sure that your workspace is free of distractions. Don’t set up your students to do their work right next to you where you will be having the news on the television. This will make it challenging for them to focus on their…
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Accommodations for Writing
I find helping students to write to be very challenging. For some people, it comes naturally and for some people, it can be a life long struggle. When I am developing an IEP with the parents and the rest of the team, it is important to include accommodations for students who have a writing disability so that they can be successful in the classroom. I have compiled a list of accommodations to share with you that could be helpful for your students. Obviously there is never a one size fits all solution to helping students. But these are just different ideas that I have tried for different students. Students who…
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My Teacher Planner
Do you keep a teacher planner? My teacher planner from Erin Condren is so versatile that it can be used for so many different types of teachers! I am obsessed. This year’s cover that I selected is gorgeous! Each year I choose a new cover that I love. The covers are interchangeable so you can buy a few and rotate them but that isn’t something that I’ve ever done. Teacher Planner – Weekly View The weekly view is fantastic. I use it to keep track of my rotating schedule. I track what each of the teachers on my team is covering and I keep track of homework. This way if…
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Accommodations for Students with Dyscalculia
Working with students with Dyscalculia can be challenging. Students who have dyscalculia tend to have difficulty with number sense, manipulating numbers, and completing computation among other things. Supporting these students in your classroom can be challenging. Dyscalculia will mostly affect them in math, but I have had students who are affected by it in science class also because of the math necessary for topics like Chemistry. If you are concerned that your child is affected by Dyscalculia, it may be time for you to have a conversation with your child’s teachers. Often these students qualify for special education services due to having a Specific Learning Disability in the area of…
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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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Tips for Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences can be stressful for all involved. As a teacher, it is our job to set the tone and mood of the conferences. Here are some tips for your next parent-teacher conference! Know the Schedule Ahead of Time Before conferences start, make sure you know what parents are coming in and have information about their child ready. Teachers, especially at the secondary level, have a lot of students to remember. But parents don’t always get this. So if you are in a meeting and it seems like you’re struggling to remember who the child is, it is going to leave the parent confused and possibly annoyed or disappointed. …
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Setting Goals as a Teacher
I am always trying to grow as a teacher and as a person. Because of this, I am always setting goals for myself to help guide myself to betterment. Also, in the state I teach in, the teacher evaluator tool requires us to set goals to meet over the evaluation cycle. (The cycle is either one year or two years) Here are some tips for setting goals for yourself whether you are required to by your district or you just want to be your best. Setting Professional Goals A professional goal is something that you want to change about yourself as a teacher. Whether it has to do with the…
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Repair a Strained Co-Teaching Relationship
Co-Teaching has proven to be a great tool for reaching all students. It allows students with disabilities to be taught in the general education classroom giving them opportunities for social interactions with their typical peers. It also allows for students without disabilities who may be struggling to receive the support of having two teachers in the room. These are only two of the many benefits of the inclusion model. But, for the co-teaching model to work in your classroom, the teachers need to be able to work well together. Good co-teaching requires multiple teachers to be on the same page; for them to co-plan, co-assess, and co-teach. When two co-teachers…
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Be the Teacher Your Students Need!
Teaching can take a lot out of you. This Friday I came home from school and I was so drained that I think I was beginning to make myself sick. Every day at school, you have to give so much of yourself to others that it can be depleting. This is why we all need to be careful that we are taking care of ourselves. I find when I am not taking care of myself, I have less energy, I have a shorter temper, and I am not living up to my full potential. To be the best teacher you can be, you need to make sure that you’re putting…
