Author: sanjay
A Basic Framework For Teaching Critical Thinking In School by Terrell Heick In What Does Critical Thinking Mean?, we offered that ‘(c)ritical thinking is the suspension of judgment while identifying biases and underlying assumptions to draw accurate conclusions.’ Of course, there are different definitions of critical thinking. The American Philosophical Association defines it as, “Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. It involves being active (rather than reactive) in your learning process, and it includes open-mindedness, inquisitiveness, and the ability to examine and evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.” But…
Nearly one in five teachers say they definitely won’t or may not return to their classroom jobs next year. If you’re one of the many who’ve decided it’s time to move on, you may wonder what’s next. First up: Schedule a conversation with your principal or supervisor. Then, submit your letter of resignation. Fortunately, that part is easy! Find out what to include in your teacher resignation letter, plus see examples and get free templates you can customize in a flash. Jump to: FREE DOWNLOAD Teacher Resignation Letter Templates Simplify the resignation process with our free, fully editable Google Doc…
These days, it’s become common for educators to be asked what their personal teaching philosophy is. Whether it’s for a job interview, a college class, or to share with your principal, crafting a philosophy of education can seem like a daunting task. So set aside some time to consider your own teaching philosophy (we’ll walk you through it), and be sure to look at philosophy of education examples from others (we’ve got those too!). Jump to: We Are Teachers FREE DOWNLOAD Philosophy of Education Writing Guide Use this free guide to help you craft your own philosophy of education, from…
Every teacher, from the newly licensed to those with years of experience, should have a teaching portfolio. It summarizes your career and achievements in ways that go far beyond a resume. But this valuable tool isn’t just for those who are actively job-searching. Here’s why and how to create and maintain your own teaching portfolio, plus lots of helpful real-life examples for inspiration. Jump to: We Are Teachers FREE DOWNLOAD Teaching Portfolio Editable Templates Fill out the form on this page to grab an editable bundle of free teaching portfolio templates to guide you through the process of creating your…
by Terry Heick My biggest takeaway from college was learning what I didn’t know. So many passionate, crazy-smart people–teachers and students–that modeled learning and curiosity as I hadn’t seen it before. Entire courses on single ideas I wouldn’t have given a second thought without someone pointing it out for me. It was mind-boggling. In high school, my academic interactions were based almost entirely in trying to figure out what the teacher wanted, and then doing my best to give it. There was creativity and curiosity and rigor, but it was almost always obscured by my desire to ‘do well in school,’…
(Arguably) The Most Important Step Of The Writing Process by Terry Heick If you only teach your students one thing about writing, you could do worse than to teach them how to effectively pre-write. Of course, there’s more to it. The writing process is a sequence of objectives (also with a purpose of their own), each with its own application, utility, and nuance. Clarifying the purpose of a piece of writing–what it is intended to accomplish–is probably the beginning of most writing, whether an assignment in a classroom or something in the ‘real world.’ And it all starts with effective…
Raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten tired of having to tuck your shirt in—because you wouldn’t be alone. Perhaps you’re tired of your blouse tugging up whenever you raise your arms to write on the board, or maybe you just want to look sharp for school without having to put too much effort into bunching all of the fabric in the right place. In that case, UNTUCKit should go on your list of stores worth browsing. Teachers can save 25% with UNTUCKit UNTUCKit is exactly what it sounds like: a brand dedicated to offering shirts and button-ups that don’t…
Many teachers take on side jobs (tutoring, babysitting, handiwork, pet-sitting) to earn a little extra income or put their skills to use in new ways. Finding time to promote your services can feel like one more thing on your to-do list. That’s why we created our free teacher side job flyer templates. Each editable flyer is easy to customize with your own information so you can share it on social media, around your neighborhood, or at your school. Want to learn more about flexible side hustles and second jobs for teachers? Check out our big list of ideas here! We…
Ready for some brain-teasing fun? Get your students thinking (and laughing) with this great list of riddles for kids. We’ve got easy ones for younger kids, plus some downright tricky hard riddles (with answers!) for older students. Plus, find riddles about animals, math, science, and some that are just for fun! Jump to: We Are Teachers FREE SLIDES Riddles for Kids Google Slides Grab these free Google Slides that make it easy to share these riddles with your students! Just enter your information in the form on this page for instant access. Easy Riddles for Kids (K-3) These riddles involve…
Debating a topic is a terrific way to practice public speaking, critical thinking, and other important skills. It can feel a little overwhelming at first, though. Silly controversial topics make it easier for kids of any age to connect, engage, and learn. We’ve rounded up the best funny debate topics for elementary school, middle school, and high school. Plus, we’ve got tips for using these fun debate ideas in your own classroom. Jump to: FREE PRINTABLE Debate Graphic Organizers Help your students prep for any kind of debate with our free graphic organizers! You get debate rules and strategies, along…