Answers May Vary Three Heads

We left the classroom a little more than a year ago and are reflecting on what we've learned and new perspectives we have gained as a result of our mental, physical, and emotional distance from the classroom. Whether you're thinking about leaving the classroom yourself or wondering how it feels to have stepped away, you'll want to give this episode a listen. Come find us so we can chat some more!

As a teacher, deciding which plays to teach is a rite of passage all its own. Will you stick to the classics or branch out and try something new? Will you transform your classroom into a mini-theater and have students perform scenes? Will you have students read parts or will you show the pretty faithful film adaptation? It's not easy and where you're at in your career, how much you enjoy student performances, and quite frankly how large your classroom is, will all contribute to the decisions ...

In this episode of the podcast, we're discussing whether traditional ELA instruction provides our students with the skills they most need outside of high school, or if we're long overdue for an update. We don't think we're out of step with most ELA teachers in saying English classes are in need of an update, while also recognizing there are ELA skills that are still completely relevant in today's society. What changes are needed and who's responsible for making them? Well, there's a lot ...

Ideally, we'd like to have all of our students participating in class discussion. When too many students aren't participating, we start wondering if the discussion is a waste of time or if anyone is learning anything. In this episode, we're talking about class discussion strategies you can use to get everyone in class participating. We've got ideas for those who are shy or lacking in self-confidence, as well as suggestions for those who aren't participating because they didn't come to c...

The difficulties posed by challenging students and classes can really wear a teacher down. Our misery will often make us desperate and open us to all kinds of classroom management ideas and suggestions in the hope we will find the magical "cure" to our woes, but sometimes we don't want solutions; we just want to commiserate with those who also know the "challenging" student struggle so we feel a little less alone. Enter this week's dilemma. A teacher in the midst of a "the struggle is real" m...

Do you dread those days when you're expecting your students to read in class? If your students don't like to read: not independently, not collectively, not at all, it's likely they lack reading stamina. They can't stay focused on a text for any length of time, they're easily distracted, and those who are easily distracted distract others. While it may feel like an uphill battle to turn a nonreader into a reader at the high school level, we can make progress by helping them improve their ...