What if a small change in how you teach could open up a whole new way for students to learn? In this month’s Shurley English Teacher Talk, we’ll explore differentiation in action and share practical ideas for introducing concepts, reinforcing skills, and extending student understanding. During this important
Every year, Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends on the first Sunday in November, when clocks are moved back an hour at 2 a.m. local daylight time. When this happens, It takes our minds and bodies several weeks to adjust to the time change. On top of that, the early
One of my favorite forms of writing is the Comparison-Contrast Essay. You must use factual details to analyze the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. I think the wanna-be researcher in me loves this! I get to scour sources for facts and data. I get to learn new
It’s that time of year when all things Halloween are tripping about, including thematic lessons like the one I’d like to share with you today. Since it can be exhausting to come up with new, exciting ideas to engage kids during the holidays, hopefully, you will appreciate the
I have never taken a class in martial arts, but I have certainly enjoyed watching Bruce Lee’s moves in his action-packed films! Let’s face it. The guy was physically amazing, but more than that, he had a way with words! Lee was more than just a famous martial
Strong foundations begin with strong modeling. Before students can work independently, they need to see, hear, and experience what successful learning looks like. In this Teacher Talk episode, we’ll explore how intentional teacher modeling builds understanding, confidence, problem-solving skills, and independence. We’ll look at opportunities to model in
There’s nothing like the dreaded feeling of sitting at your desk with a blank sheet of writing paper staring back at you. You see some of your classmates busily jotting down ideas; you see them creating their prewriting map; or you see some classmates looking upward with a pleasant
The ideal scenario for the first couple of months of a new school year would be a classroom running smoothly. You want to be comfortable with your daily schedule and know that you can meet the needs of all your students. Realistically, some of you may already feel like the
Have you ever set out on a road trip without a map or GPS? I tried it once, years ago. I thought, “How hard could it be?” A few wrong turns later, I was circling back, wasting time, and wishing I had just plugged in my destination from the start.
Getting started with Shurley English is an exciting journey! With a proven methodology and thoughtfully constructed lessons, you have a wonderful roadmap to guide you. And when you know how to tap into the additional resources available to you, you can feel confident making the most of every teaching moment,
Mrs. Riddle, my sixth-grade teacher, is one of the reasons I became an educator. I’ll never forget the year I was in her class; it was my final year as an elementary student. I have so many memories, like the day the total solar eclipse happened; it was so
So, what’s happening “testing-wise” in your school and in your classroom? Let’s continue the conversation about real or authentic assessments. (If you missed part one, click here.) In my opinion, it is vital to add these authentic assessments to your “testing bag-o-tricks.” Just look at some of the