Classroom management strategies don’t have to be complicated to work well. I’ve got a simple card system I created to help my classroom run smoothly. I was sharing it at a training in Lewisville, Texas, and some of the teachers there asked that I share the cards. I have three types, so to make it […]
Explaining Differentiation to Parents: The Letter Home
Explaining differentiation to parents can be tricky. As a society, we value fairness above almost all things, and a differentiated classroom can look unfair from the outside if the definition of fairness is “sameness.” One important step teachers should take in the beginning of the year is to share their differentiation philosophy and practice in […]
Perfectionism and All Things Gifted: Podcasts!
I’ve been lucky enough to be the guest on a number of podcasts, mostly talking about perfectionism. It’s always so fun to “meet” the podcasters. I hope you’ve found some of these awesome podcasts and enjoy them while you’re folding laundry or walking the dog (like I do!). I’ve been on two podcasts recently, one […]
How to Keep Gifted Kids Motivated
Ever wondered how to keep gifted kids motivated? Ever laid awake nights wondering how to keep gifted kids motivated? Ever torn your hair out wondering how to keep gifted kids motivated? Spoiler: I don’t have the answer. The reason there’s no answer is that the intervention will only work if: A) the theory about why […]
Why School Awards Ceremonies are a Bad Idea, and What We Should Do Instead
School award ceremonies are a bad idea, but you’d never know it by how many of them there are. Of all the things people warned me about when I became a parent, no one mentioned the interminable end-of-year awards ceremonies. As I’ve learned more and more about the way our brains really work, the more […]
The Problem with Reading Logs: Reader Q & A
There is a problem with reading logs that students are expected to keep for school. There is more than one problem, actually, but I’m focusing on one. I’m giving solutions, too, so hold tight. Reader Q: This is part of my Reader Q & A series, and this question comes from a parent in […]
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