joyful teaching
3 Ways to Cope if You Are the Only Counselor at Your School
It’s tough being the only counselor in a school. There can be lots of issues. It’s hard to take a day off (even when you are sick!), when there is no one else who understands your job. You worry about the kiddos when you aren’t there. There is no one to talk to about counselor…
Read MoreUse Brain Science to Change Behavior
Teach Lessons that Change Behavior Back in the day when I was teaching lessons to children regularly as a school counselor, I was always trying to determine the best way to engage children in the lesson as well as make sure that they could actually learn and remember it later. Lucky for educators and parents…
Read MoreKeeping it positive in a negative world
Kids and Rewards
Kids and Rewards What motivates children to want to learn? Is it possible to motivate children without using rewards and treats? Could it be that using rewards is actually causing students to be unmotivated? Where does motivation come from anyway? Some Surprising Research In his book, Drive, The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us, author…
Read More5 Ways to Create a Summer of Renewal
Do this… Not this Does summer mean a time of renewal for you? How do you make that happen? Here’s how NOT to make it happen: Dive into the weeks ahead with no plan except to fill every moment with enriching activities. Schedule back to back camps or sports activities for the kids. Volunteer for every…
Read MoreBrain Research and the Benefits of Play
Play and the Brain As chilly winter days transition into balmy spring time, children and adults both anticipate spending more time outdoors. Unfortunately, the school environment doesn’t always cooperate with the onset of spring fever as students prepare for and take mandated tests or complete end of year projects. Test anxiety and teacher stress is…
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