The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you allowed your students to struggle?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you offered a choice project for students?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you took a picture of your work in the classroom?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you used humor to your advantage in the classroom?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you offered social time to students?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you left the classroom?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you let the students teach?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you learned with your students?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you altered plans while teaching?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you used music while teaching?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you shared a personal story while teaching?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you took a chance in teaching?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you admitted to a mistake?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you asked for help from your students?
The Last/Next Time
Teaching blog shorts to get educators thinking. "When was the last time...?" questions to reflect on and "Take advantage of the next time..." prompts to act on. Be a lifelong learner and better the craft of being an educator.
Today’s Question
When was the last time you gave thanks to your students?
Role Play
Whatever belief is out there—"Practice makes perfect", "Perfect practice makes perfect", or "Practice makes permanent"—they all seem to focus on similar points: we, as humans, can get better and solidify our behavior with practice.
Obviously, we aren't really going to be perfect. And, in actuality, even habits can be altered from the permanence seemingly embedded in repetition. Instead, perhaps the thought is what matters here—no matter what the endeavor, people can improve with practice.
This is where educational role-play comes in.
Read MoreAppropriate Use of Video
We are in the business of life lessons, which means as Health teachers we want to draw from many sources to strengthen our instruction. Real life narratives, fictional scenarios, guest speakers, article reviews, hands-on activities, role playing, data analysis... the list goes on. We want to be engaging, and since showing a video in class is often viewed as a thing of the past, we sometimes avoid it to refrain from becoming "that teacher" who presses play and sits back with a cup of coffee.
Movies, TV, and YouTube play a major influence on teen development. As educators, we can fight this, or we can utilize videos in Health Class that extend our instruction and further embed the lasting impressions of learning.
Naturally, it all depends on the video and the effort to reflect afterwards.
Read MoreTurn & Talk
Before the period even begins, the classroom comes alive with typical adolescent energy. Students are shuffling into their seats as the door opens and reopens. Hallway activity spills in— there's books and bodies and chatter and laughter, and, yes, even the occasional screaming.
Then the bell rings.
The standard teacher scramble goes into effect. Attendance check, student questions, bathroom needs, and maybe even an office call over the phone or intercom.
What a perfect time for social bell ringers.
Read MoreSelf-Reflection
The idea of journaling is to prompt self-reflection. Therefore, journal activities in education allow students a chance to focus their thoughts, prepare for a lesson, or debrief from an activity in order for further learning to take place.
Here are three types of journal activities for use in Health Class (and teaching in general).
Read MoreBuilding Connections
Much of middle and high school life involves a social component, as well as the mental balance of stress and self-esteem— but that’s why we teach Health Education, right? These are the very life lessons that pique our interest and it’s what we take pride in teaching.
With all this in mind, I offer three simple things to add to your teaching in order to enhance the educational experience. The focus? Improving the social connection and mental well-being in yourself and those around you. Health Educator or not, try these tricks to better connect with students.
Read More