Author: sanjay
by TeachThought Staff Self-Directed Learning is not a new concept, but it’s often misunderstood—especially in the context of K-12 classrooms. In a prior reflection, Terry Heick explored the relationship between self-directed learning and the true purpose of education: “The goal of the model isn’t content knowledge (though it should produce that), but rather something closer to wisdom—learning how to learn, understanding what’s worth understanding, and perhaps most importantly, analyzing the purpose of learning (e.g., personal and social change). It also encourages the students to examine the relationship between study and work—an authentic ‘need to know’ with important abstractions like citizenship and…
by Terry Heick Meaningful conversation can make learning more personal, immediate, and emotional. During meaningful conversations, students are forced to be accountable for their positions, to listen, to analyze opposing perspectives, and to adapt their thinking on the fly. There are many popular strategies for these kinds of conversations, each with slightly unique rules and applications. Among them are Socrative Discussions, Accountable Talks, Debate, and Literature Circles. Whichever strategy you employ, students need support. It is sometimes argued that these kinds of conversations favor students that are confident expressing themselves verbally, and that’s hard to argue. But consider that academic…
Understanding the various states of matter is one of the key concepts kids need for exploring chemistry and physics. Use our big list of activities to help them learn about the properties of the various states of matter and the way they change between states. Plus, explore the “fourth state of matter,” plasma, as well as solutions, suspensions, non-Newtonian fluids, and more. You’ll find states of matter activities for preschool, elementary school, and middle school and science fair ideas too! Jump to: We Are Teachers FREE PRINTABLE Science Experiment Recording Sheet Use this free printable to follow the scientific method…
Books are the perfect way to fill your classroom with love as Valentine’s Day approaches. We asked our crew of teacher friends to share their favorite titles and rounded up 20 of the best funny, silly, and sweet Valentine’s Day books for kids, from classic classroom standbys to new favorites. Bonus: We’ve got easy ideas for classroom activities too! We Are Teachers FREE PRINTABLE Valentine’s Day Book List Find the perfect Valentine’s Day read-aloud with our free printable book list! Just fill out the form on this page to get yours. Jump to: Classic Valentine’s Day Books for KidsNew Valentine’s…
Teachers know the air in a classroom can get… interesting. Between packed rooms, stuffy afternoons, and allergy season, fresh air can feel as hard to come by as extra planning time. That’s why Blueair’s educator discount is such a breath of fresh air—literally. Teachers get 25% off Blueair purifiers Blueair purifiers are quiet enough to fade into the background but are still powerful enough to tackle dust, allergens, and other invisible airborne irritants. Whether you’re trying to freshen up a crowded classroom, a home office, or whichever place you collapse after dismissal, that 25% discount makes it much easier to…
Learning to write a friendly letter might feel like a bit of a lost art these days, when most folks rely on email, text, or messaging apps to communicate. But handwritten notes still have value, and it’s worth taking the time to teach kids how to write one. This free letter-writing paper makes the process a simple one! FREE PRINTABLE Letter-Writing Paper for Kids This simple template makes it quick and easy for students to handwrite a note to friends or family using the correct format for a friendly letter. Enter your email info in the form on this page…
There’s almost always a good reason to play music in the classroom. But finding a motivating, fast-paced playlist of school-appropriate songs can be tricky. We turned to the teachers in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE Facebook group for their suggestions, and as usual, they gave us some great ideas! As a reminder, everyone has their own ideas about what’s appropriate to share with students. Always review song lyrics and music videos ahead of time to ensure they’re right for your classroom. Jump to: We Are Teachers FREE PRINTABLES Music Quote Posters Print and hang our bundle of five music quote…
Fourth-grader Ethan always struggled with math tests and worksheets, staying quiet in class and rarely volunteering. His teacher, Kendra, was worried. “I got the feeling he wasn’t grasping fractions at all,” she shares. Then one day, she pulled out something new: a logic puzzle about dividing shapes into equal parts. To her surprise, math reasoning games changed everything for Ethan. “It was just a simple puzzle about dividing shapes into equal parts,” Kendra says. “Ethan’s eyes lit up. He solved the first one in seconds, then explained his reasoning so clearly that the other kids started asking him for help!”…
Need a simple yet engaging way to get kids thinking and learning? This list of true or false questions (with answers) is not only fun but also a great way to activate prior learning. Covering a wide range of topics, you’ll have something for everyone—from science and sports to holidays and history. You could even use these questions as icebreakers, brain breaks, discussion starters, or quick challenges for fast finishers. We Are Teachers FREE DOWNLOAD True or False Questions Google Slides Challenge your students’ thinking with our free true or false questions Google Slides! Just fill out the form on…
Who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh first thing in the morning? Sharing a few kindergarten jokes can be a great way to create a positive and joyful environment for your students (and you!). If you’re trying to come up with ideas, look no further. We’ve compiled this huge list of the best jokes for kindergartners to start the day! We Are Teachers FREE DOWNLOAD Kindergarten Jokes Google Slides Ready to get your kindergartners laughing and excited for the day? Download our free kindergarten jokes Google Slides. Just fill out the form on this page to get them! Jump to: Trending111…