There are SO MANY issues that teachers have to think about every lesson just to run the room and work through the curriculum – and there are SO MANY concepts and ideas from research and the world of cognitive science to explore ….it’s just a bit overwhelming! Realistically you can only work on so many … Read more
I am always looking for ways to bring more te reo Māori into my classes. However, doing this in a really meaningful way when my own understanding of the reo is limited can be a challenge. One resource that I created this year to help are the cards pictured in these photos. I collected a … Read more
I know it’s been a while since I have blogged and shared my classroom ideas, but I have been super busy with my new part time TOSA role as an Instructional Coach, as well as my normal duties as an 8th Grade Math Teacher. :o) I did some really great things with my Pythagorean Unit … Read more
Good morning from Maine where it’s overcast and drizzly, again. It has been that kind of summer. Nonetheless, it has been a good summer filled with fun things for me and my family (my miserable cold not withstanding). I hope that it has been a good summer (or winter) for you as well. We have … Read more
Welcome to my 188th gems post. This is where I share some of the latest news, ideas and resources for maths teachers.1. Mr Chapman MathsThank you to @dalechapman.bsky.social for sharing some great new scaffolded resources. The first one is a backwards faded task for recurring decimals. The scaffolding makes the topic highly accessible – this task could be … Read more
The countdown is on. After 22 years at the school I started at, I’m moving to a new school this year. Like any good introvert, the prospect of change is a scary one for me, so I’m excited that my new school isn’t so new to me. In fact, I’m heading to my own kids’ … Read more
Ciara McGuane is the Summer Course Director for Rahoo.ie. Her career highlights include being filmed by BBC London teaching in the classroom and guest-lecturing at the Institute of Education in London. She has worked as a teacher, school leader, teacher trainer and initial teacher training tutor prior to setting up Rahoo. One of her favourite … Read more
Teaching literary analysis can be challenging, especially when students struggle to interpret themes, symbols, and deeper meanings in texts. One of the most challenging aspects of teaching students how to go beyond basic comprehension and recall. One powerful strategy that can bridge this gap is the OPTIC strategy, traditionally used for analyzing art and visual … Read more
One of the true keys to learning and developing any ability is the willingness and capacity to reflect on what we have learned. So how can we encourage our students to reflect on what they have learned? Generally we want them to reflect from a slightly more distant perspective of time rather than more immediately … Read more
Science really is everywhere – even in a strawberry patch! But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning. I’m afraid of lunch ladies. They’re intimidating. I guess you need to be if you’re dealing with hundreds of hungry kids in a small cafeteria. As a kid, I usually kept my head down … Read more