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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Blogs on Best Practices

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Five Tips for Supporting Grieving Students

Christine ParkMay 17, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Mental Health, Professional Development, Teacher Development, All Grades

This blog was co-authored by David Schonfeld, MD, director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement.

As our previous post highlighted, most teachers interact daily with grieving students. A recent poll we conducted in conjunction with the American Federation of Teachers found that the vast majority of teachers would like to help the grieving children in their midst but feel that they lack the proper training. The good news is that teachers don't require extensive training to prepare them for making a positive difference in the lives of their grieving students. This post is intended to introduce some of the basic information.

Don't Reinvent the Wheel: Seven Tips for New Elementary Teachers to Save Energy, Time and Tears

Otis KriegelMay 13, 2013

Tags Best Practices, New Teachers, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5)

There are so many things a new teacher needs to know before he or she gets into the classroom, most of which have absolutely nothing to do with the Common Core Standards. These are skills teachers learn the hard way, through trial and tears. But it doesn't need to be that way. Here are seven tips that can help new teachers get off to a good start and help them to be more effective on day one (not day one hundred and eighty-one).

Four Suggestions to Help You Lead by Relationships and Realize Your Vision

Scott TaylorMay 2, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Leadership, Professional Development, All Grades

Abraham Lincoln inspired me, like so many others, to lead by relationships. Donald T. Phillips (Lincoln on Leadership) and Doris Kearns Goodwin (Team of Rivals) describe that president as a kind, gentle and genuinely personable man for whom many subordinates deeply cared. He got close to his cabinet, his personal secretaries and his generals, and wasn't afraid to let them into his personal world.

More Positive, Not Punitive, Classroom Management Tips

Larry FerlazzoApril 29, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Classroom Management, Discipline, Teacher Development, All Grades

This article is adapted from Larry's new book, Self-Driven Learning: Teaching Strategies for Student Motivation.

In the previous excerpt from this book, I shared some specific strategies for positive classroom management. Here are a few more.

Rethinking Difficult Parents

Dr. Allen MendlerApril 26, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Parental Involvement, Professional Development, Teacher Development, All Grades

"Jack tells me that lots of kids are doing way worse things, but you ignore them and pick on him."

"Are you saying Mandy is a liar?"

"As far as I know, three kids did the same thing, yet Ben was the only one punished! Is that fair!"

"Really? We have no problems with her at home."

Positive, Not Punitive, Classroom Management Tips

Larry FerlazzoApril 16, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Classroom Management, Discipline, Teacher Development, All Grades

This article is adapted from Larry's new book, Self-Driven Learning: Teaching Strategies for Student Motivation.

Let's start with a question I've been asked on more than one occasion.

"I know my content and like my students, but sometimes it's hard to get them under control so I can teach my lesson. What tips for classroom management can you give me?"

Your Lesson's First Five Minutes: Make Them Grand

Dr. Richard CurwinApril 15, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Classroom Management, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, All Grades

If you have ever lived with another person and come home to find them in a bad mood, how long did it take you to figure it out? Hours? Minutes? Seconds? Most people say "seconds," and some can tell before they even enter the same room. That's how children feel when they enter your classroom. They can tell within a minute or so whether they will like it or not. Research says within the first five minutes, but I think it’s faster.

Introducing Mobile Technology Into Your Classroom: Structures and Routines

Monica BurnsApril 10, 2013

Tags 1:1 Implementation, Best Practices, Classroom Management, Mobile Learning, Technology Integration

It can be intimidating to try something new in your classroom. This is especially true with technology. I believe that technology should make the work of teachers easier while creating an environment that excites and engages students. Even though I'm coming from an iPad classroom, these structures and routines are great for introducing all one-to-one devices.

Tips for Beating the Clock in the Classroom

Ben JohnsonMarch 25, 2013

Tags Best Practices, All Grades

In Texas, there are 180 days of instruction, taking away 30 days for state testing so that leave 150 days for instruction. Let's say that a teacher gives a curriculum-based test once every two weeks and the district benchmark test three times a year. That is 21 less days of instruction or 129 days. Now, schools typically have three days of teacher in-service. Five special assemblies, two holiday parties, two half days, four emergency drills and three sick days takes away 15 more days bringing it to 111 days.