A few weeks ago I decided to switch things up in my classroom and go from the traditional rows to groups.  I put a lot of thought into how I would make the change and here are some of the highlights of what I think needs to be done in order to make it successful.

• Gather student input before m...

I am no expert but just an 8th grade in Southern California.  Regardless I have been teaching for over 20 years and maybe some insight to help understand Trump's latest move. Here is how I see it:

• The national group for schools, called the Department of Education, might see some big changes. Wh
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Now don't get to excited because this trip was a family trip to Vegas and unlike what the commercial says, "What happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas".  Now with that said I decided to document our trip and share it others.  

We started with a stop at Peggy Sue's Diner, about halfway there, wh...

It is my belief that classroom culture is defined not by what is celebrated, but by what is tolerated. This concept suggests that the behaviors a teacher allows or ignores, even unintentionally, have a more significant impact on the classroom environment than the behaviors they actively promote or...

Ever wonder how to make your classroom a place where kids really learn and grow? It's like building a machine, and there are three main gears that need to work together: Behavior, Academics, and Social Emotional Learning.

• Classroom Management First: Think of classroom management as the bigges

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Many administrators suggest that teachers need to focus on building relationships with students, but I believe that this is a backwards approach. Strong relationships grow out of effective classroom management.

• Create a Safe Space: The first step is to create a classroom environment that is con
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Teaching is a very hard job, and it's not always easy! Sometimes, classrooms can get a little chaotic, which makes it hard to learn and have fun.

• Classroom Control is Super Important: When teachers have a good plan for keeping the class calm, it helps everyone learn better. It's like a super
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Have you ever noticed that sometimes the same kinds of tricky behaviors pop up, even when the people are different? It's like, one person stops a behavior, and then someone else starts doing it. Instead of being surprised, we can learn to be detectives and solve the mystery of these behaviors. ...

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a brand new teacher? Well, it's a bit like being a superhero in training! Sometimes it’s really fun, but sometimes it’s super tricky too. Here’s what you should know:

• It's okay to feel overwhelmed. New teachers are often alone in the classroom with th
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Have you ever wondered how teachers make their classrooms run smoothly? Well, I got a chance to sit down with a fellow teacher and we created a plan to transform his classroom.  This was the last in a series of coaching sessions and we used it to reflect upon his progress.  Here are some of the...

Sometimes, classrooms can be a bit tricky, but there are ways to make them awesome! Here are some effective strategies that can help make class a better place for everyone:

• Seating Charts: Having a plan for where everyone sits can make a big difference. It helps everyone focus better and mak
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Have you ever been in a class that felt a little chaotic, making it hard to focus? It happens, but there are strategies that can make a big difference. Let's look at some ideas that can help transform a classroom into a more effective learning space.

One powerful tool is using a new seating chart...