One of my favorite classroom management strategies is Group Roles. They streamline activities, distribute workload, boost participation, and keep students focused. I introduce them early in the school year and rotate roles to give students equal opportunities. I use clear communication and modeling to ensure success. Google Drive resources and practical examples are available.
Author Archives: How She Teaches
Effective Classroom Management: Harnessing the Power of Group Roles
Group Roles are a valuable classroom management strategy for labs and group activities. They offer shared responsibilities, promote teamwork, and enhance communication and problem-solving skills. The roles of Captain, Recorder, Timekeeper, and Organizer ensure accountability and encourage student participation. Implemented early in the school year, Group Roles can effectively enhance classroom dynamics and student engagement.
Explaining DNA: Teaching Tips and Lecture Notes
DNA and genetics are intriguing phenomena in science. It seems mysterious and almost magical to students, which inspires their curiosity and desire to learn more. That makes it fun and easy to teach! DNA is also fun to teach because we get to do lots of modeling and hands-on activities. The purpose of this lessonContinue reading “Explaining DNA: Teaching Tips and Lecture Notes”
Student Choice Projects: Empower Learning with Real-world Skills & Differentiation
I started using Student Choice Projects my first year teaching to solve some common problems. It turned out that Choice Projects were good for me and my instruction, and benefited my students and their learning. Win, win! In this blog post I share my knowledge on Student Choice Projects: What are Student Choice Projects? StudentsContinue reading “Student Choice Projects: Empower Learning with Real-world Skills & Differentiation”
Class Points: Transforming Classroom Management with Positive Reinforcement. How to Implement Class Points as a System for Classroom Management
The Class Points system enhances classroom management by reinforcing positive behavior through regular praise, feedback, and rewards. By tracking points visibly and incorporating a raffle for classes that reach milestones, teachers can foster a motivating environment that encourages engagement, accountability, and improvement among students, ultimately creating a more efficient classroom.
Engaging DNA Introduction: Twin Study Film Clip & Discussion
This 30 minute lesson is my favorite way to start our unit on DNA. The film clip and the conversations we have around it introduce DNA as an intriguing phenomenon in science. It seems mysterious and almost magical to students, which inspires their curiosity and desire to learn more. That makes it fun and easyContinue reading “Engaging DNA Introduction: Twin Study Film Clip & Discussion”
How She Teaches DNA Model Keychains
The purpose of this project is to model DNA structure and the base pair rule. In this blog post I share my best lesson planning tips to facilitate this lesson. I hope it gives you some ideas and saves you some time! Also check out my blog post DNA Model Keychains: An Engaging Hands-on LessonContinue reading “How She Teaches DNA Model Keychains”
DNA Model Keychains: An Engaging Hands-on Lesson and Fun Activity Before Holiday Break!
Making DNA model keychains is one of my favorite lessons to teach in Biology. These beautiful models make great keychains, ornaments, and jewelry. Students can treasure them, or gift them to someone special, making it the perfect activity to do before the winter and holiday break! I hope this blog post gives you some ideasContinue reading “DNA Model Keychains: An Engaging Hands-on Lesson and Fun Activity Before Holiday Break!”
12 Study Tips to Teach Middle School Students
In this blog post I share some of my best study tips for middle school students. I learned them over the years from my amazing teacher mentors, while supporting my students, and becoming a better learner myself. Whether you are a teacher, student, or lifelong learner, these tips can help make studying easier and moreContinue reading “12 Study Tips to Teach Middle School Students”
9 Routine Assignments that are Easy to Prep and Make Great Sub Plans
The ideas in this blog post are great routine assignments to cycle through during the year. Plan ahead and have these assignments ready as emergency sub plans, or prep them quickly when you’re planning for a substitute. Students become familiar with doing these assignments. My students complete them independently and with minimal confusion. This makesContinue reading “9 Routine Assignments that are Easy to Prep and Make Great Sub Plans”
First Day of School Tips for New Teachers: Practical Do’s and Don’ts
If you’re a new teacher this year, I bet you are bursting with ideas, inspiration, and energy! That is the pure beauty of being a new teacher. You are unclouded, unjaded, and hyper focused on your objectives to create the best learning environment and experience for your students. That new teacher magic is an asset,Continue reading “First Day of School Tips for New Teachers: Practical Do’s and Don’ts”
Why Class Points is My Favorite Classroom Management System
One of the hardest parts of teaching can be classroom management. What’s the point of the most awesome lesson you planned if no one will listen or follow directions? I started using Class Points my first year teaching and it transformed my classroom and my teaching. At the end of the day, I want toContinue reading “Why Class Points is My Favorite Classroom Management System”
High School Biology Vocabulary: Units and Key Terms for Effective Teaching
I hope you enjoy reading about my favorite science terms to teach in high school Biology. I hope this list of vocabulary terms can give you some good ideas and save you valuable planning time. In this blog post I share the vocabulary terms I teach during each unit throughout the year: How I UseContinue reading “High School Biology Vocabulary: Units and Key Terms for Effective Teaching”
Learning Styles: A Valuable Beginning of the Year Lesson
Everybody learns in different ways. Have you ever sat looking at a page in the book, just staring at the words and nothing is going into your brain? Well, that might be because visuals are not conducive to your Learning Style. It’s beneficial to know what style we are so that we can hack ourContinue reading “Learning Styles: A Valuable Beginning of the Year Lesson”
Time-Saving Teaching Tips and Lesson Plans for Next School Year
Not to be a buzzkill to your summer vibes, but if you’re like me, you’re already thinking about next school year. What can be improved? What new lessons do I want to try? What systems and routines can I implement to save me time and some of the headaches from this past year? I spentContinue reading “Time-Saving Teaching Tips and Lesson Plans for Next School Year”