One Teacher's Adventures

  Knowing Your Learning Targets (Even If You Don’t Post Them Everywhere) If you’ve spent any time on teacher Instagram or TikTok, you’ve probably seen the jokes: “Have you tried posting your learning targets?” “Just write the objective on the board—problem solved!” And honestly, I laugh at those posts too. Because no, writing “I can add fractions” on the board is not some magic fix for engagement, behaviour, or learning. But here’s the thing I’ve come to realize over time: Even if students don’t always read them, it still matters that I know them. The Shift That Made a Difference Earlier in my teaching career, I would plan lessons and assessments more holistically: “This is a fractions test” “This is a project on identity” “This is a unit on early civilizations” But over time, and especially through working with student teachers and refining my assessment practices, I started asking myself a different question: What specific skills am I actually assessing here? That ...

One of my favorite things about teaching middle school math is when students’ curiosity drives the lesson. It doesn’t always happen on its own; sometimes I need to create the conditions for wonder to bubble up. Over the years, I’ve leaned on two approaches that consistently spark inquiry: Which One Doesn’t Belong? and Show Me Your Math . Which One Doesn’t Belong? Inspired by Christopher Danielson’s books, this routine invites students to look at four numbers, shapes, or images and decide which one doesn’t belong. The beauty of this activity is that there isn’t just one right answer.  In the image below, students might say that D doesn't belong because it's the only circle, while C doesn't belong because it's the only blue shape, and A doesn't belong because it's the only shape broken into thirds. Once students can find reasons why one item doesn't belong, you can challenge them to find a reason why each of the items doesn't belong. What I love about ...

  The start of the school year always feels like a fresh notebook, crisp, full of possibilities, and maybe just a little overwhelming. Over the years, I’ve learned that the routines I set up in those first few weeks shape the tone of the entire year. Middle school students thrive on structure, but they also need room for independence. The trick is finding that balance. Here are a few back-to-school routines I’ve found make the biggest difference: 1. Entry and Exit Routines How students enter and leave the classroom sets the tone. I always establish: Where to put backpacks and devices so walkways stay clear. In my school, students have lockers outside the room, so their backpacks stay out of the classroom altogether. A starter activity (a question on the board, a quick reflection, or even a riddle) to get them engaged right away. Consider Rebus Puzzles as a great thinking activity! A clear exit process so students aren’t rushing or leaving behind chaos, this could be ...

I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed that my students live in a world where news doesn’t just come from the evening broadcast or the front page of a newspaper. Instead, it comes through TikTok videos, Instagram posts, YouTube clips, and memes shared at lightning speed. And while our students are more connected than ever, that doesn’t mean they’re better at figuring out what’s real, what’s biased, and what’s flat-out fake. That’s why I make a point of teaching media literacy in my classroom. Why Media Literacy Matters We’ve all seen how quickly misinformation can spread, whether it’s a miscaptioned photo, a sensationalized headline, or a “news” story that turns out to be satire. For students, who may not yet have the critical thinking tools to question their sources, this can be overwhelming. When I introduce media literacy, I don’t frame it as “don’t believe anything you see online.” Instead, I teach students how to ask better questions : Where is this information coming fr...

Every September, I look forward to rolling out hands-on science experiments with my students. But before the goggles go on and the Bunsen burners come out, I know we need to build a strong foundation: lab safety . Let’s be honest, middle schoolers can be equal parts curious and impulsive. They love the idea of “real science,” but sometimes forget that science involves risks if we’re not careful. Over the years, I’ve realized that the way I teach safety at the start of the year makes all the difference in how seriously students take it later on. Why Lab Safety Matters in Middle School I’ve had students ask, “Do we really need to go over this? I already know not to drink the chemicals.” And sure, most of them understand the obvious rules. But what they don’t always think about are the smaller details, like leaving a backpack in the aisle (hello, tripping hazard!), or wearing long sleeves near an open flame. Those little things can lead to big problems if we don’t practice safety consi...

Spring is finally here! The days are getting longer, and we’re in the home stretch of the school year. I'm back to school tomorrow after a 2-week Spring Break. This is the perfect time to refresh your classroom and shake up your teaching routine to keep things feeling fresh for both you and your students. A little bit of spring cleaning can go a long way in making the last few months of the year smoother, more organized, and more enjoyable. Here’s how you can declutter, refresh, and reset to finish strong. 1. Declutter and Organize Your Classroom A clean, organized space makes a big difference—for you and your students! Here’s where to start: Clear out the clutter. Go through those piles of papers, broken supplies, and unused materials. If you haven’t used something all year, chances are you won’t need it next year either—toss it, recycle it, or donate it. Reorganize your materials. Group things together in a way that makes sense for how you use them. Label bins and drawers so yo...

Let’s be honest—parent-teacher conferences can be stressful. As middle school teachers, we often have marathon evenings of back-to-back meetings, sometimes with difficult conversations in the mix. But with a little preparation and the right mindset, they don’t have to be something we dread. In fact, they can actually be rewarding! Here are some practical tips to help make parent-teacher conferences smoother, more productive, and maybe even enjoyable. 1. Be Prepared (But Don’t Overthink It) Preparation makes everything easier. Before conferences, take a little time to: Review student work – Have recent assignments, tests, and progress reports handy. This could be done in class with the students. Ask students to select assignments that reflect their current ability and create a portfolio to share with their families. Make notes – Jot down key strengths and areas where the student might need support. Anticipate parent concerns – Think about what questions might come up and be ready wit...