Outdoor classrooms and open-air schooling aren't new ideas, just forgotten. But the Covid-19 pandemic reignited the fire as teachers and parents got creative about redesigning safe learning spaces for kids. In some ways, history is repeating itself. At the beginning of the 20th century, the rising number of TB cases combined with the 1918 flu pandemic sent everyone in search of fresh air. It was … [Read more...]
Teacher Podcasts: A Summer PD Playlist
I love teacher podcasts. I don't always have to time to sit and read, but I do spend a lot of time walking and driving, and podcasts are the perfect company for those times. I've been keeping notes about my favorite episodes from this year, so I put together a summer playlist for teachers. I know ... It's only May. We're still in school. We're tired. And we certainly are not thinking about … [Read more...]
After the Fall: Learning to Persevere
I love this book. It picks up where the original tale ends ... after Humpty has been put back together again. But now he's scared. The fall broke not only his shell, but his courage and confidence too. His fears hold him back and they keep him from enjoying the things he used to ... until one day, one step at a time, he decides to conquer his greatest fear. INSTRUCTIONAL IDEAS This story is a … [Read more...]
Go on a Leaf Hunt! An Autumn Teambuilding Activity
I taught in Florida for 20 years, a place where books about seasons can leave you with a little feeling of FOMO. The leaves in Florida only come in two colors. Light green. And dark green.Oh, and dead brown ... so three. Unless they've been on some grand vacation, kids from the tropics don't really have a mental framework for things like red and orange leaves. I once had an ambitious … [Read more...]
Teaching Point of View to Build Strong Communities
Teaching point of view to children is not only a standard, but a really important life skill. This is one of my favorite picture books for introducing the concept, but gracious ... right now it sort of reminds me of my news feed: "Duck!" "Rabbit!" "No, it's a duck!" "No! It's a rabbit!" 🦆! 🐇! 🦆! 🐇! 🦆! 🐇! Insert different words and it sounds like a political conversation. But … [Read more...]