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Addressing Real-Life Crises and Cultural Debate in our Classroom
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via The Educator : November 29, 2023
Our students, like all of us are both subjected and impacted by these events, which leave them scared, confused, or more often searching for answers. Beyond these world crises, this “search for answers” from our students also extends to the cultural and inclusion debates they see on the news, or hear from their parents, as experienced by the recent “YES” referendum.
Building a Respectful Classroom
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Share My Lesson : August 26, 2022
A mentor once told me, “Rules without relationship equals rebellion.” This couldn’t be more accurate when working with teenagers. If you want your students to invest in learning and place importance on completing your assignments to the best of their ability, you must first establish a strong rapport with them. One key to relationships is respect.
Creating an Inviting Classroom Environment
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : August 8, 2018
As we start another school year, it’s important to consider creating a classroom environment that is inviting to students. There are two areas we can focus on to form a classroom that will be positive for all students: Building a Relationship and Creating a Physical Environment.
Do We Really Have High Expectations for All?
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : July 28, 2015
Do you have high expectations for your students? I’ve never met a teacher who said, “I have low expectations for my students.” The challenge is that we sometimes have hidden low expectations of certain students.
Eight Essentials of Good Student Feedback
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : January 21, 2015
Feedback is an essential component of meaningful assessment, whether we offer it in a formal presentation, or informally in our daily interactions with students.
Whether you provide it orally or in written form – in a sit-down meeting or during a busy classroom activity – good feedback is crucial for students to continuously improve their work.
Eight Keys to Effective Homework
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via edCircuit : May 10, 2018
Homework is an issue for many students and teachers. In almost every workshop that I do on classroom motivation, a teacher will ask, “How do you motivate students to do homework?” Of course, the answer is complicated. With 8 Keys to Effective Homework, you can make students do homework by increasing rewards or punishment, but that rarely works in the long term.
Five Cool Ways for Students to Show What They Know
by Dr. Barbara Blckburn
Published via Middleweb : August 1, 2017
Teachers are always looking for new ideas of how to help students demonstrate their understanding of a concept. After all, students become tired of always writing a paper. Let’s look at 5 creative ways that students can “show you what they know.”
Four Tips for Managing Your Classroom
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Share My Lesson : August 24, 2014
I’m often asked about classroom management. How do you manage a classroom? From my perspective, management is not about having a set of structures and schedules; it’s about having the procedures in place to help you meet the needs of all your students. Without a solid structural base, your classroom can become shaky, with unpredictable results for you and your students. Let’s look at four key areas that can affect your instruction.
Four Tips for Working in Groups in Your Classroom
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Share My Lesson : October 15, 2025
Flexible groupings are foundational in an effective classroom. There are four main types of sizing for groups. Each has a different purpose, and by blending them together, you can enhance learning in your classroom.
Five Rules of Student Engagement
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : March 19, 2024
What exactly is student engagement? I recently read a comment from a teacher on an Internet discussion board. He said that his students seemed to be bored, and after talking with them, he realized that they were tired of just sitting and listening. He said they wanted to be more involved in their learning.
Five Things Every New Teacher Needs to Know
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : August 11, 2019
Are you a new teacher? Are you nervous about starting the school year? I know I was my first year.
When I was writing my first book, one of my colleagues, Jason, pointed out that everyone has butterflies the first day of school. The goal is not to get rid of them; the goal is to line them up in formation!
Newbies: Don't Forget These Seven Grading Essentials
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : November 5, 2017
Grading is one of the most challenging parts of a rigorous classroom and no more so than for new and novice teachers. Many of the aspects of grading, such as whether to grade homework, are individual choices for a teacher. However, we should be careful to incorporate effective grading practices in all that we do.
Optimizing Your Textbook to Meet Student Needs
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Share My Lesson : August 17, 2022
When I was a teacher, the textbook was my main source of instruction. Particularly as a new teacher, I was given an entire pack of materials, and told it would answer all my questions. Now, we typically use textbooks as one of a variety of tools, although at times, we still rely mainly on textbooks. Let’s look at three ways to optimize your textbook.
Providing Extra Credit: Positive or Negative?
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : March 7, 2024
When I was teaching, I struggled with the whole concept of extra credit. Most other teachers offered it, so I did too. But I was never sure if students were doing something valuable. It never seemed to accomplish what I thought it would.
Put Some Bang at the Beginning of Lessons
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : October 3, 2018
How we start out lessons in our classrooms makes a huge difference in the learning that takes place during the remaining minutes of instruction. There are three keys to launching effective lessons. These are steps most of us have been taught, but in the daily rush to plan we may sometimes let one or more of them slip by.
Seven Ways to Make Learning Fun
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via edCircuit : April 6, 2018
How much fun happens during your class? Think of it this way: If you had a choice, would you want to be doing the things you ask students to do? There are seven simple ways you can make learning fun for your kids.
Six Characteristics of Effective Praise
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : December 6, 2015
Most teachers regularly use praise in their classrooms. However, students can interpret praise positively or negatively. Let’s look at six characteristics of effective praise, using a simple acronym:
Twenty-Six Tips for Beginning Teachers, From A to Z
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : September 11, 2024
As a new school year approaches, I thought I’d do something a bit different. I began my publishing career writing books that were A to Z (Classroom Motivation, Classroom Instruction, Literacy, and the Principalship). I’m returning to my roots to give this season’s new teachers a list of quick tips – 26, one for each letter of the alphabet.
What We Risk When We Jump to Conclusions
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : June 26, 2016
I had a student who was a constant challenge, and I taught him for two and a half years! Daniel came into my class with a reputation as a troublemaker, and in 7th grade he lived up to it. By the eighth grade, he was trying to improve, but he struggled to move beyond his past behavior patterns and others’ preconceived notions of him.
