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Student apathy can be a frustrating drag in any classroom. What might be going on beneath the surface of a student’s “don’t-care” attitude? For some, it might signal a fear of failure or a wrong view of education. For others, it might indicate disordered priorities and desires. Whatever the case, John Mark calls teachers to the daily work of forming… READ MORE

Students today have instant access to more information than previous generations could have imagined. For some, this begs a question: “Why should I bother learning it in school if I can just Google it?” John Mark challenges the skewed understanding of knowledge behind this question and calls teachers to cultivate intellectual humility—in themselves, first of all, and then in their… READ MORE

What type of teacher are you? The “Trying to Be Cool” teacher? The “Important Authority Figure”? In this light-hearted yet thought-provoking talk, Jeff Swanson caricatures some common teacher types and encourages teachers to grow toward personal and professional maturity. Download the video or download audio only

How should a teacher respond when a student challenges their authority in front of the class? What should a teacher do when they realized they’ve handled a situation poorly? Drawing on stories from his career, Jeff demonstrates how to respond to classroom conflict with confidence, tact, and humility. Download the video or download audio only

When faced with a difficult concept or task, students often ask, Why do we have to learn this? What is behind this familiar and frustrating response? In most cases, John Mark suggests, the question signals confusion or a lack of stimulation. More important than giving students the right answer is giving them clear instruction while cultivating the virtue of curiosity.… READ MORE

History is a lively story full of original characters, interesting places, and surprising plot twists. But history class tends to reduce it to a lifeless assortment of facts and dates. How can we resuscitate history for our students? Lyndon recommends seven tactics, beginning with telling a good story.   Download the video or download audio only

When students tell you they can’t do something, what are they really saying? What’s behind the expression of defeat? John Mark suggests three possibilities and how to respond: The student may be expressing a belief about people in general: “Some people can, I cannot.” The student may be dealing with a unhealthy reliance on the teacher. The student may be expressing a fear… READ MORE

Not all learning disabilities are internal or genetic. Traumatic experiences like neglect, violence, or injury can physically alter a child’s brain, making it difficult for to behave and learn normally. In this fifth and final installment of the diverse learners series, Becky describes how trauma works and how teachers can make their classrooms feel safe to students scarred by trauma.… READ MORE

In this installment of the diverse learners series, Becky gets into the complex world of autism—what it is, how it manifests, and how to address challenging behaviors caused by autism. Ultimately, Becky calls teachers to cultivate a classroom environment in which all students can thrive, including those on the autism spectrum, and to model Christlike love and sensitivity toward those… READ MORE

ADHD is one of the more recognizable acronyms in the field of learning disabilities. It also tends to be misunderstood and misrepresented in popular discourse, used as often to joke about one’s inability to sit still and concentrate as to describe an actual health condition. Drawing on research and her own classroom experience, Becky Bollinger sheds some light on ADHD… READ MORE

The best kind of student motivation is intrinsic to the process of learning, but sometimes students need an additional incentive to inspire that extra push toward excellence. What if you could offer hardworking students a rewarding experience that is both educational and fun? In this video, Deana Swanson explains how she uses achievement parties to motivate her students to invest… READ MORE

Good singing habits start early, but they need to be maintained with regular practice. In this video, Jeff Swanson draws on his years of music teaching experience to highlight some practices, tips, and tools proven to yield “music gold” at any grade level. By regularly practicing good posture, pitch-matching, rhythm, and vowel formation, music teachers can push all students toward… READ MORE

A typical school day might end mid-afternoon, but the teacher’s workday is far from over. In this video, Caleb Martin shares some practical tips for staying focused, efficient, and productive after the final bell rings. Rather than feeling overwhelmed and getting distracted after a full day of teaching, teachers can turn the after-school hours into a productive time of preparation… READ MORE

The second of a five-part video series by Becky Bollinger on diverse learners and learning disabilities, this video focuses on dyslexia. Becky explains what dyslexia is and is not, how it affects the learner, ways to diagnose it, and what a teacher can do to overcome the disadvantages it brings. The information in this video should be helpful for all… READ MORE

The process of becoming a better teacher holds so much potential for enjoyment and inspiration, especially when a group of teachers grows together. An administrator can help give this process the vital initiative and structure needed to unlock the potential. In this video, Howard Lichty gives his advice and suggestions for staff development, drawing from his experience as a school… READ MORE

Classrooms are greenhouses, students are plants, and teachers are gardeners. This analogy introduces a five-part video series by Becky Bollinger on diverse learners and learning disabilities. In this introductory video, Becky outlines the purpose of the series, establishes some foundational terms and concepts related to learning disabilities, and discusses the drawbacks and benefits of diagnostic labels. As teachers study their… READ MORE

What does making a Renaissance-era dome out of newspaper or role-playing a labor strike have to do with school? Learning, of course. In this video, Deana Swanson shares some ideas and tips for making your classroom a lively site of learning that engages students not simply in reading and thinking but in making and handling. With enough creativity, forethought, and… READ MORE

Learning grammar doesn’t have to be a soul-crushing exercise in memorizing arcane rules and terms as Spencer and his students demonstrate in this video. Grammar songs not only make learning more lively and fun, they aid with memorization, helping students retain knowledge they might forget with more rote forms of learning. Spencer used grammar songs from these resources: Well-Ordered Language… READ MORE

Do your English students struggle with diagramming sentences? Sentence diagramming is a classic method for helping students see the structure of a complete thought, but the process can get messy, especially for some students. In this video, Deana Swanson demonstrates some teaching methods for making sentence diagramming effective and enjoyable for students. Download the video or download audio only

A well-managed classroom serves students by keeping the focus of class activity where it belongs: on learning. But classroom management takes effort, especially in larger classrooms. Amy Zimmerman shares some practical tips and methods for keeping classrooms running smoothly, including how to communicate expectations, practice procedures, and manage homework. With adequate planning and practice, even large classrooms can become lively… READ MORE