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In This Issue:
Lesson Planning: Technology and Collaboration.
Classroom Management: Attendance and Tardiness Policies.
Parent Contact: Communicating Testing Results with Parents.
Burnout Busters: Stay Connected to Your “Why.”
Health and Wellness: Got Whole Grains?
This Week’s Bonus Prompts: Emergent Bilingual & Teacher Side Hustle.
Homeroom Swag: Dark Fall Colors Letters & Numbers Set.
Laughter Lounge: Who Said Teaching Is Stressful?
Poll Position: What Is Your Favorite Movie Genre?
Happy Friday Y’all,
Whew! That was a long week…but we made it to Friday!
We are so blessed that you’ve joined us for this week’s issue of The Classroom Newsletter! This week, we’re exploring how to make the most of technology in lesson planning, create effective classroom management policies, and maintain a deep connection to why we teach, even when the challenges pile up.
As John Dewey said, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” This quote speaks to the heart of what we do as educators. We are not simply preparing students for some distant future—education is the present, and every moment in the classroom is an opportunity for growth, learning, and transformation.
Let’s take this mindset into our lessons, policies, and personal health as we continue to create vibrant, engaging, and supportive learning environments for our students.
Now… sit back, relax, sip your coffee slowly, and let’s jump right into this week’s prompts!
Scenario:
Ms. Thompson, a high school biology teacher, noticed her students were becoming disengaged during lectures. She decided to incorporate technology and collaborative learning tools to encourage active participation and problem-solving among her students.
Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Create a lesson plan for [subject/topic] that incorporates technology to foster student engagement and collaboration.
The Power Of The Prompt:
Using technology to foster collaboration transforms passive learning into active exploration. When students work together using digital tools, they develop teamwork, problem-solving, and tech skills that mirror real-world applications, all while staying engaged in the content.
Scenario:
Mr. Perez, a middle school English teacher, found that tardiness was becoming an issue in his class, which was disrupting the learning process. He wanted to create a clear attendance and tardiness policy that held students accountable while addressing the unique challenges some students might face.
Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Help me draft attendance and tardiness policies that encourage punctuality and regular attendance, while also addressing potential issues that [grade level] students may face.
The Power Of The Prompt:
Effective attendance and tardiness policies ensure a smoother, more focused classroom environment. By setting clear expectations and addressing individual student needs, teachers can foster responsibility while ensuring all students are set up for success.
Scenario:
Ms. Walker, a 5th-grade teacher, needed to communicate the results of her students’ recent standardized tests with their parents. She wanted to ensure her communication was clear, supportive, and included actionable steps for improvement.
Prompt:
Draft a letter to [student's name]’s parents, [parent or guardian name(s)], to share results from recent standardized tests. Provide an overview of [the results], and suggest next steps or areas of focus based on the results.
The Power Of The Prompt:
Communicating test results effectively helps parents stay engaged in their child’s learning journey. By outlining areas of strength and focus, teachers can create a partnership with parents that supports student growth and encourages collaboration between home and school.
Scenario:
Mr. Davis, a dedicated social studies teacher, was feeling overwhelmed with grading, meetings, and lesson prep. He needed to reconnect with his passion for teaching and remind himself why he entered the profession in the first place.
Prompt:
Provide ways for me to stay connected to my passion for teaching, especially during challenging times. These methods should help me focus on [specific motivations, e.g., student success, personal growth].
The Power Of The Prompt:
Staying connected to your “why” helps reignite your passion for teaching, even when the workload feels heavy. By focusing on what drives you—whether it’s student success, the love of learning, or personal growth—you can find renewed energy and purpose, making the challenging moments more manageable.
Scenario:
Ms. Franklin, a teacher who is trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle, wanted to switch to whole grains but was unsure where to start. She needed ideas on incorporating whole grains into her meals while keeping her dietary preferences in mind.
Prompt:
I want to switch to whole grains. Provide a list of whole grain options and suggest recipes that incorporate them into my meals, snacks, and desserts [and take into consideration my dietary limitations of ______________ (*if any)].
The Power Of The Prompt:
Switching to whole grains can improve your overall health and boost energy levels. By incorporating more whole grains into your meals, you’ll support long-term well-being while setting a great example of healthy living for your students.
Emergent Bilingual Prompt - Culturally Responsive Teaching
Scenario:
Ms. Patel, a high school history teacher, wanted to make her lessons more inclusive for her diverse classroom. She aimed to integrate contributions from different cultures into her current unit on global trade.
Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Please provide a lesson plan that integrates [specific culture] into the [topic] unit, highlighting how the contributions of this culture have influenced the subject matter.
The Power Of The Prompt:
Culturally responsive teaching not only enriches the curriculum but also validates the diverse backgrounds of your students. By highlighting cultural contributions, you create an inclusive environment that values every student’s heritage while deepening their understanding of the content.
Teacher Side Hustle Prompt - Freelance Writing
Scenario:
Mr. Jackson, a veteran teacher, wanted to explore freelance writing as a way to earn extra income and share his expertise. He wasn’t sure where to begin and needed guidance on how to get started in educational content writing.
Start:
"I want to start freelance writing educational content. What niches or platforms should I focus on as a beginner?"
Build:
"How can I create a portfolio that showcases my writing expertise to attract more clients in the education sector?"
Grow:
"What are advanced strategies to scale my freelance writing business, including networking and increasing rates?"
The Power Of The Prompt:
Freelance writing is a flexible side hustle that allows teachers to share their expertise and earn extra income. By focusing on niche markets and building a strong portfolio, you can grow your freelance business and open doors to new opportunities.
This week’s bulletin board set is the “Dark Fall Colors” Bulletin Board Letters and Numbers Set, featuring festive bright fall-colored leaves on a black background. These bold designs are perfect for adding a touch of fall to your classroom or hallway display.
Scenario:
Imagine decorating your classroom with these letters and numbers to celebrate the fall season. You could create a “Welcome to Fall” board or use the designs to highlight upcoming fall-themed events like book fairs, harvest festivals, or school spirit days!
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Which movie genre do you prefer? |
Bottom Line Y’all…
This week’s prompts focused on keeping students engaged, creating strong communication channels with parents, and helping ourselves stay grounded in our purpose as educators. In the words of John Dewey, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” This week, we’re reminded that learning happens every day, in every interaction, and through every challenge we face in the classroom.
As we continue to build these learning experiences with our students, let’s remember that the work we do is shaping not only their future but their present. Every lesson plan, every conversation, and every challenge we overcome contributes to a richer, fuller education for everyone involved.
Thank you for being part of The Classroom Newsletter community! Your dedication to teaching and learning makes all the difference. Share this issue with your colleagues and keep the learning going.
Teach Forward! Improve Daily! Inspire Always!
Warm regards,
Mitch Fairchild
Founder, The Classroom Newsletter
What Did You Think Of This Week's Issue?Be honest! Your feedback is crucial to us making this newsletter the best teacher resource on the planet! |