Assertiveness

How Do Dinosaurs Go To School?

The brain loves contrast.  Contrast helps the brain pick up patterns and focus attention.  At the beginning of the school year I spend about six weeks helping my students learn the patterns/routines and expectations of our classroom.  This enhances feelings of safety. One of my favorite teaching tools during this time is  the book How Do Dinosaurs […] Read more…

Creating a School Family: Organizing Center Time

I have observed that many teacher have good intentions and want to allow children to have a choice about where they want to play and when.  Unfortunately, if it isn’t managed well, free choice time can turn into chaos and the anxiety in the room goes through the roof.    I get the opportunity to visit many classrooms when I am […] Read more…

Time to Hibernate it’s Snowpocalypse 2014!!!

If a foot of snow wasn’t enough to make use want to hibernate then the cold temps that are settling in across the Hoosier State sure will!  Here in Indiana, we are experiencing some record snow fall along with temperatures that haven’t been seen in nearly a hundred years if EVER! Since the Hoosier State […] Read more…

Conscious Discipline Resources for Children with Special Needs

Today I’m sharing one of my very favorite online resources for using Conscious Discipline with children who have special needs. This brilliant website is created by the amazingly talented staff in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools of Miami, Florida.   You can go ahead and click the image above and go check out the website for yourself, but make […] Read more…