This post is now quite old! Check out my newer posts, my workshops, and my podcast. After a recent mindfulness training by the amazing Robyn Harwood (@rsharwood1) at the AEC Conference 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya, I started beginning the day with structured and intentional mindful breathing exercises to help my students find some inner peace … Continue reading 5 Reflection Activities to Help Students Glow and Grow
That digital program your school bought will never transform learning
It seems like most teachers and students have access to a paid-for digital learning program. You know the kind - RAZ kids, IXL, Spelling City, any one of those listed in the featured image of this article - and they all promise to raise achievement while making learning "fun". These CAI (computer assisted instruction) programs … Continue reading That digital program your school bought will never transform learning
Student Inventions Face Evaluation in the Shark Tank
This week, my students will be presenting their inventions to an audience of parents and community members. Instead of doing a traditional exhibition, where students stand for an hour and answer questions next to their display, we are doing something different: A Year 5 Shark Tank. Many of us already know the reality show, "Shark … Continue reading Student Inventions Face Evaluation in the Shark Tank
Is it worth becoming recognized as an Apple Teacher?
As my husband and I have been busy recruiting for positions in the 2018-2019 school year (I know, international schools hire early!) I wanted something extra to add to my CV about integrating technology into the classroom. Although I can say that I work in a 1:1 classroom, I wanted to give schools concrete evidence … Continue reading Is it worth becoming recognized as an Apple Teacher?
In education, words matter.
Many teachers use word clouds or wordles in classroom activities to have students highlighting important words or to show students which words they've overused in their texts. One thing I've never done before is apply a wordcloud to my own practice, which is exactly what I recently did for the educationrickshaw.com blogroll. Once I made it by … Continue reading In education, words matter.
Ways to Enhance Reading and Writing Workshop with Technology
Our school recently made the switch to Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Although Stephanie and I received some surface level training on the project in our previous school, this has been the first time that we have been asked to follow the program with a high level of fidelity. Like with any … Continue reading Ways to Enhance Reading and Writing Workshop with Technology
Guest Article on TeachersMatterMagazine
Last year around this time, I was invited to the AEC conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, where I took two institutes that really blew my mind. One of those was led by the fantastic Karen Boyes, and it focused on getting students to do the thinking and take control of their learning. I'm happy to announce … Continue reading Guest Article on TeachersMatterMagazine
Homework not effective? What about distance learning?
Homework is one of those contentious things that divides teachers as well as parents. John Hattie's research leads to the conclusion that homework in primary school has an effect of nearly zero. But the reality is that many schools have policies that require homework to be assigned to students on a daily or weekly basis. This … Continue reading Homework not effective? What about distance learning?
Some Kids Pet Baby Birds, Some Kids Squash Them.
https://twitter.com/KICSyear5/status/897402590631251968 My first week of teaching this year is officially done. And, like every year, I am overwhelmed by the potential that this year has in store. What's always amazing is that each class that comes into my care has such a different character profile than the year before. My new students bring with them … Continue reading Some Kids Pet Baby Birds, Some Kids Squash Them.
What Does a 21st Century Classroom Look, Sound, and Feel Like?
Part of a technology coach's role these days is to convince teachers that their job description has changed. The industrial model of education is well past its expiration date, and the generation of students born today are going to graduate into a world that will look completely different than our own. In order to train … Continue reading What Does a 21st Century Classroom Look, Sound, and Feel Like?
Education Rickshaw 
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