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Author: Cindy

Class Agreements for Remote Learning

Class Agreements for Remote Learning

Class agreements take the idea of classroom norms to a new level.  Sometimes known as social contracts, class agreements build community because they consider the needs of the students and teachers.  Students all participate in contributing ideas that help build a positive culture.  This is really different from typical classroom rules, which the teacher often sets with little input from the class. If students are in remote learning, class agreements are vitally important because they create a sense that all…

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Eric Carle: A Life of Art, Beauty, and Wonder

Eric Carle: A Life of Art, Beauty, and Wonder

Note:  This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information. On May 23, 2021, Eric Carle, the creator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and many other iconic works of children’s literature died of kidney failure at the age of 91.  His books are everywhere.  It would be hard to find a classroom or library with books for kids that doesn’t have his books.  In the time following his passing, I have read several really excellent articles about his…

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Remote Learning Norms That Help Students Succeed

Remote Learning Norms That Help Students Succeed

At the beginning of the school year, we as teachers routinely discuss our expectations for how students will behave so that we can  create a safe and respectful classroom environment.  Learning flourishes when students understand what they need to do and feel safe taking risks and trying new things.  This sets the tone for a classroom culture that supports learning.  Classroom norms provide structure and give students real tools for success. This is just as important in remote learning as…

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Your Philosophy of Education in Remote Learning

Your Philosophy of Education in Remote Learning

Note:  This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information. New teachers looking for their first teaching position spend countless hours considering their philosophy of education.  This is a question that almost always comes up during job interviews. Why this matters: At this moment in history, we are all feeling what it is like to be new teachers.  We are coming to terms with our core beliefs about what education is and how we can make…

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16 Wonderful Thanksgiving Books for Celebrating Gratitude and Community

16 Wonderful Thanksgiving Books for Celebrating Gratitude and Community

At this time of year, I always spend some time looking for great Thanksgiving books to share. This year Thanksgiving is going to be really different, to say the least.  It may be necessary to take our celebrations virtual, instead of large gatherings.  I think that despite COVID-19, we need to try to focus our energy on things for which we are truly grateful.  I personally feel so much better when I focus on the things that are good in…

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How to Set Up a Homeschool Study Space

How to Set Up a Homeschool Study Space

Setting up a homeschool or remote learning study space can and should be a really personal process.  What works well for some families may not be so great for others.  Some may have a separate room that can be dedicated to homeschooling while others may not.  Above all consider what really works for your family first.  Having a central location for organizing supplies, manipulatives, and projects can be extremely helpful because you save time that might be wasted hunting for…

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Setting Up a Home Office for Remote Teaching

Setting Up a Home Office for Remote Teaching

Setting up a home office when you are teaching remotely can be a real game changer.  Home, at least my home, can be full of distractions.  It is really important to set up an environment that supports meaningful and engaging learning experiences.  This may be a serious step out of your comfort zone, but by paying attention to a few key factors, you can make remote learning work well for teacher and students.  In my opinion, this goes hand-in-hand with…

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Best Back to School Song 2020: Have It All by Jason Mraz

Best Back to School Song 2020: Have It All by Jason Mraz

Teachers in my district returned to school this morning.  Our families had an option of remote learning or in-person instruction at school.  About 70% of our kids are returning to in-person instruction.  It sounds like a lot, but it seems unnaturally quiet around here.  I have seen some kids that I know, but there are an awful lot of kids that I haven’t spotted yet.  On days that feel like this, it’s easy to get pulled into the dark place….

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Making Teacher Self-Care a Priority

Making Teacher Self-Care a Priority

Why Self-Care is Important I am slowly working my way through The Distance Learning Playbook by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie.  The first section of the book is on the fact that teacher need to practice consistent and intentional self-care.  In my opinion, this is just as important for homeschooling parents and parents of distance learners.  It’s super easy to get so busy working that you forget to rest, eat healthy meals, work out, and maintain social connections….

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Why Kindness Really Matters Now

Why Kindness Really Matters Now

.A few years ago, I heard in passing about the beautiful commencement address that the short story writer George Saunders had given at Syracuse University.  In this speech, he talks about the fact that the things he regrets most in his life are failures of kindness. It’s a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I’d say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder. If you have never read or heard…

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