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The Teacher Studio

Learning, thinking, creating

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Growth Mindset Misconceptions

We hear people in education and the world around us refer to teaching a “growth mindset” all the time.  If you are unfamiliar with the work of Carol Dweck, I must insist that you check it out.  It has such powerful implications for us as educators.  That being said, we do have some growth mindset misconceptions that we need to tackle as we move forward. Check out this post for some food for ... Read the Post

10 Ways to Create a Culture for Reading

Developing a love of reading seems to come naturally for some students, but for some--it takes a loving teacher to make the magic happen!  Check out these ten tips for getting started building a culture for reading in YOUR class! 1.  Share YOUR love of reading. Whether you are in a "grown up" book club of your own or can simply model your love with HOW you read, how MUCH you read, or your ... Read the Post

5 Great Earth Day Activities

Elementary-aged children love to feel they are making a difference.  There are so many Earth Day activities and experiences that can make them feel they are an important part of their planet's future! Virtual Field Trips So many of our students have a very limited view of the world.  Let's face it--they've only been on the planet for a few years! That being said, with the increased ... Read the Post

Geometry Lessons for 4th Grade: What Makes Geometry Challenging?

What makes geometry lessons challenging for so many students in elementary school?  Many of us have our own preconceptions about geometry, possibly stemming from our own struggles in high school with geometry.  In fact, many of us did really well with the "numbers" math like algebra but felt the walls crash down during geometry.  The same is sometimes true for students experiencing geometry ... Read the Post

Seasonal Word Problems: Classroom Uses

We all know that word problems and problem solving are key components of ANY quality math program.  Today I want to share how using seasonal word problems can be a quick and easy way to keep things fresh and engaging in your classroom! Because every math series or curriculum is different and paced differently, there is no room for "seasonal" real-world problems.  I wanted to have a collection ... Read the Post

Writing Historical Fiction Diaries

Why historical fiction? One of my favorite units is historical fiction--and it quickly becomes a favorite of my students--as we read historical fiction and write historical fiction diaries.  As students move through elementary school, we give them a TON of opportunities to read realistic fiction.  As they get older, adding historical fiction to their repertoire is a perfect way to kick things ... Read the Post

Test Prep and Growth Mindset

Test Taking It's that time of year when many of us are charged with helping our students navigate the world of standardized test taking.  We all acknowledge that testing is a double-edged sword--but if we as the "grown ups" can keep things in perspective, we can lessen stress for the students and US as well!  We have the power to make a HUGE difference in how our students (and their parents) ... Read the Post