Search results for: lesson design
How to Ask Impactful Higher Order Thinking Questions
Asking higher order thinking questions in the classroom is a simple strategy that packs a big academic punch. It’s a free tool that educators all have access to as long as they are willing to plan and prepare prior to instructional delivery. The goal of every lesson is to drive students towards understanding. If we…
Read Full Post182: Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
It is easy this day in age to get distracted. Teachers can easily fall down a rabbit hole full of shiny, sparkly classroom implementations that don’t always lead to student learning or teacher effectiveness. Tune in to hear what the “main thing” is when it comes to teaching and tips to hone your craft in…
Listen to Episode181: The Reward of Developing People
Being a teacher is more than just teaching content lessons. It is the life-giving work of an educator to develop the people in front of them every day. One way to do that is to provide appropriate challenge and support so that overtime students begin to rely on themselves to overcome hardships. Tune in to…
Listen to EpisodeFire Your Mentor, Hire Your Idol
One of my biggest struggles in my early years of teaching was the lack of help and direction from experts in the field (veteran teachers, administrators, etc.). I attended all necessary training for new teachers, followed all protocol, and even asked questions whenever I could to whomever would listen. But, I still had major growing…
Read Full PostThe Inside Scoop on “Looping” with your Students
Administrators are always trying to find innovative ways to increase teacher efficacy and student achievement in the classroom [see my last post on the departmentalizing model of instruction.] Looping tends to be another popular strategy to also address those two important levers. What is ‘Looping?’ There comes a time in a teacher’s career where they…
Read Full PostOnline Modules
As an educator, I have been providing professional development to teachers for over a decade. I finally found a way to empower even more teachers without the obstacle of travel. The online modules below are hosted on Teachable, an online course platform. Click the images below to gain access to these instructional sessions. Getting the…
Read MoreAbout Gretchen
Hi, I’m Gretchen! Author, Speaker, Teacher Coach & Trainer Over the last two decades, Gretchen has passionately taught elementary students, mentored and coached educators, led professional development experiences for school building staff, written three books, and…
Read MoreBuilding Classroom Confidence as a Late-Career Educator
All teachers work to strengthen their classroom confidence, but this can feel especially challenging for later-career educators who are new to the profession. Stepping into a classroom after time spent in another career can bring excitement, purpose, and—at times—self-doubt. Imposter syndrome can creep in, causing even the most capable individuals to question whether they truly…
Read Full PostBecoming A Teacher Without Student Teaching Experience
Teaching…our country is an education crisis. There are several issues causing the crisis, such as learning gaps, staff and student mental health, declining achievement outcomes for students, as well as a teacher shortage. The shortage of highly qualified teachers leading classrooms is the most alarming issue. Due to poor wages and working conditions, less people…
Read Full PostManaging the Pre-Break Buzz: Practical Classroom Strategies for the Most Energetic Time of Year
There’s a certain energy in the air as the calendar flips to December…excitement, anticipation, and just a little bit of chaos. The days before a long break can bring out the best (and the most distracted) sides of our students. They’re buzzing with plans, sugar, and emotions and teachers are running on coffee and countdowns.…
Read Full Post