As teachers, it’s tempting to spend the last weeks of summer polishing lesson plans, organizing classroom décor, and printing the first week’s activities. I’ve done it, too. After more than two decades of teaching high school English, though, I’ve learned that the most important planning happens before I ever open my curriculum guide. I start by designing my classroom procedures.…
If you’ve ever felt like you spend the first ten minutes of every class reminding students where to sit, what to do, or when to stop talking, you’re not alone. As a high school English teacher, I’ve learned that one of the biggest differences between a stressful classroom and a calm, productive one isn’t a fancy curriculum, a perfectly decorated…
As a full-time worker with a passion for homesteading, I find myself juggling a lot of different tasks every single day. From tending to my garden, raising chickens, cooking and household tasks, plus meeting deadlines at work, it can feel overwhelming. One thing I’ve learned along the way is that procrastination and lack of focus (squirrel brain), especially when it…
It’s nearly time to start purchasing all those back to school supplies. Summer goes by t00 fast! I teach high school (cue sympathy sighs). It’s a great job, but I’m sure you know that teachers spend a lot of money on supplies. I don’t have a lot of money, so I’m always looking for what lasts. While I’m always ready for…