One Teacher's Adventures

  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...