15 Exercises to help reduce frustration and anger in kids Have you ever had a kid in your class where you see them becoming increasingly agitated, their hands are clenching and if looks could kill, you would certainly be dead? The reptilian brain is in full control here and what you see is the child … Continue reading 15 Exercises to help reduce frustration and anger in kids
Behaviour Management
10 Qualities of Great Teachers
What makes a great teacher could easily be a list of characteristics that look similar to what makes a good person - a sense of humour, the ability to feel like you're actually being listened to, flexibility, and consistency of personality and approach. With this in mind, this is a question that has driven educational researchers and the concepts lie at the core of ...
‘Do or die’ – a substitute teacher’s secret weapon …
Unsurprisingly, it turns out that people are more willing to do things for you if they remember your name! It makes you feel acknowledged and important, building a subconscious connection. If you have ever spent time doing substitute teaching, you know what insanity can be lurking around the corner. Lucky you're well equipped and understand ...
How to use the ripple effect to enact positive change in the classroom
If you ask a student to mimic a teacher, chances are they will stand, point and yell at their hypothetical student, scary! It's not too late to help break the cycle by using this voice-saving, stress-preventing teaching strategy that people have been using for centuries ... use the 'Grandmother Method for learning'. This strategy uses encouragement & acknowledgement and just works because ...
Gamify your lesson in 3 easy steps
Everyone loves to play games whether you're big, small, old or young. With that in mind, whatever you are teaching, it's worth asking yourself "can this be made into a game"? "Hell yes!" should be the resounding answer and there is a plethora of research out there to back this up! Here are just a few:
How to help active kids remain engaged and foster curiosity
Writing notes is BORING while sitting in one place. Test out this teaching strategy - Print out the notes, number the points & stick them around the room. Put them in interesting places to get them to find them all (like on the ceiling!) - make learning a treasure hunt! Who doesn't like treasure hunts?! This works a treat for students who find it hard to sit still, dance classes love this activity.
How to positively deal with late students
Having trouble getting your students into the classroom on time? Here's a great teaching strategy - try starting your lesson with a quick funny YouTube clip. It's interesting and laughing relieves stress, boosts your immune system and helps everyone focus on a task! Why don't we do this all the time? My kids love starting our lessons like this and it can help shift a negative mindset.
How to deal with a wild classroom
How to deal with a wild classroom - Peel the kids off the walls and start with a game! Try starting the lesson with a competition like Left Vs Right. Let them play for 'free time' (time to pack their books in their bag & leave exactly on the bell/play a game/listen to music). Boys in particular love competition! Here's how it works (and it really does!):
Granted Education 