Since I was a student for 23 consecutive years (after which I took a year off to teach abroad before returning to school), it’s likely that I’ve been exposed to nearly every group-learning model imaginable, and many of those models I have integrated into my own lessons. As such, I have arrived at several realisations about both short-term and long-term group work. Here are a few: Read more Group Dynamics in the Classroom
Classroom Management FAQ
Classes don’t always behave as you might expect. When things go awry, it’s nice to have some alternatives. Read more Classroom Management FAQ
Addictive Mindless Number Game
Here is a little game I find myself playing a lot recently whenever I only have a few moments (on the bus, in a waiting room, etc).
Is Project-Based Learning the Best Strategy?
These days it seems like everyone’s getting excited about project-based learning, to reduce the anxiety for students who hate exams and essays. Few people talk about the dark side of project-based learning, though, so here are several things to consider before you integrate it into your classroom. Read more Is Project-Based Learning the Best Strategy?
Thoughts on Math Drills
I have a mixed opinion about drill sheets.
On one hand, I believe drill sheets are slightly underrated. They encourage students to memorise multiplication facts instead of having to derive the answers every time. Although being able to derive answers is an essential skill, it may not be a viable option for each circumstance the student will encounter later in life. Drill sheets help drive students to produce answers quickly. They also motivate students who thrive on competition. Read more Thoughts on Math Drills
Poetry, Critical Literacy, and the Classroom
For many, poetry can be the bane of English class. Having to interpret passages of complex and figurative language nonliterally can often seem confusing (especially to those who tend to think linearly), and interpretations on a single poem may vary considerably from person to person. However, the act of interpreting the meaning of the words—the thought process behind forming an opinion on the piece—is more complex in poetry than in most other written art forms, which gives it a distinct advantage. Read more Poetry, Critical Literacy, and the Classroom