One Teacher's Adventures

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...

March Madness isn’t just for basketball—it’s also a super fun way to bring energy and engagement into your classroom! Bracket-style competitions can turn review sessions into exciting challenges, making learning way more interactive and enjoyable for students. Plus, a little friendly competition never hurts, right? Here’s how you can bring the madness into your lessons! How It Works It’s simple: students compete in rounds where concepts, ideas, or their own answers face off against each other until there’s one final winner. You can go with single elimination, class debates, or voting—it’s totally up to you! How to Set Up Your Classroom Bracket Pick a Topic – Think about what fits your curriculum and gets students excited. Some ideas: Math : Greatest Mathematician Ever; Most Effective Problem Solving Strategy Science : Coolest Scientific Discovery; Most Useful Cell Organelle/Body System Language Arts : Best Book or Character History : Most Significant Historical Event Music/Art : Great...

  Let’s be real—most middle schoolers aren’t thinking about their future careers. They’re thinking about what’s for lunch, their next soccer game, or how to convince their parents to extend their screen time. But that doesn’t mean we can’t plant the seeds for career exploration in a way that actually feels relevant and exciting. Middle school is the perfect time to start these conversations. Students are discovering what they like (and don’t like), developing skills, and beginning to see the connections between school and the real world. So how do we make career exploration engaging instead of just another assignment? Here are some tried-and-true activities that get students thinking about their futures without making it feel like a chore. Start with Themselves: Interest & Personality Quizzes Students love learning about themselves, so why not start there? Career interest surveys and personality quizzes are a fun way for them to reflect on what they enjoy and what they’re...

We've all heard it: "I hate math!" Whether it's frustration, past struggles, or just disinterest, some students come into our classrooms with their minds made up. But as teachers, we know that math isn't the enemy — and we can change the way our students see it. By making math hands-on, relevant, and interactive, we can help them develop confidence and maybe even enjoy it. Here are some strategies to make math more engaging in middle school: 1. Get Hands-On Math can feel abstract, but giving students something to touch can make a huge difference. Use manipulatives like fraction tiles, algebra tiles, and pattern blocks. Bring in real-world connections like planning a trip on a budget, doubling or halving a recipe (then having students make the dish!), or designing a dream bedroom with area and perimeter. I've had students plan field trips that they'd like to take - looking at bus schedules, budgets, and timetables. Not only did it engage them in their le...

As middle school teachers, we know that math can be a challenging subject for many students. The abstract concepts, the layers of operations, and the sheer volume of practice required to master skills can sometimes overwhelm even the most diligent learners. This is where math routines come into play. By incorporating structured, predictable math routines into your classroom, you can create a supportive environment where students build confidence, deepen their understanding, and develop essential problem-solving skills. Why Use Math Routines? Math routines are consistent practices or activities that students engage in regularly. These routines help establish a classroom culture where math is seen as a daily habit rather than a daunting task. Here are some key benefits of using math routines: Builds Mathematical Fluency: Regular practice through routines helps students develop fluency with numbers, operations, and problem-solving strategies. Over time, students become more comfortable a...

As the summer winds down, the back-to-school season looms large. For middle school teachers, the challenge is to reignite students’ interest in learning while creating a classroom environment that feels fresh and exciting. We all know that the typical icebreakers and get-to-know-you activities can feel a little stale, so let’s explore some ideas that won’t just survive the first week back, they’ll thrive. Here are some creative, effective, and - most importantly - not-boring ways to kick off the school year with your middle schoolers. 1. The Classroom Redesign Challenge Instead of walking into a fully set-up classroom, invite your students to help design the space. Give them the freedom to arrange desks, create bulletin boards, or even choose themes for different corners of the room. This activity not only helps students feel a sense of ownership but also serves as a great team-building exercise. Plus, you won’t have to spend your time in the summer planning and decorating your classro...

As middle school teachers, one of the most challenging tasks is fostering a love of reading in our students. Almost all of my Grade 8 students last year told me they hated reading, but I’ve heard that if kids don’t like reading, they just haven’t found the right book yet. Enter the concept of "book tasting"—a creative, engaging way to introduce students to a variety of books and genres, all while making the experience fun and memorable. What is a Book Tasting? A book tasting is an event designed to give students a “taste” of different books. Think of it as a literary buffet where students sample a variety of genres and authors in a short period. The goal is to spark interest in reading by allowing students to explore books they might not normally pick up. Typically, a book tasting is set up in a classroom or library, with tables arranged to resemble a café or restaurant. Each table features a selection of books—these could be themed around a genre, topic, or author. Students ...