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Podcast: The Creative Classroom - John Spencer

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Podcast: The Creative Classroom - John Spencer

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Discusses ways to bring fun to teaching classroom content and helping students be in charge of their own learning with their own hands.

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I want to see teachers can transform classrooms into spaces of imagination and wonder. So, here's where I explore what it means to make this a reality.

I want to see teachers can transform classrooms into spaces of imagination and wonder. So, here's where I explore what it means to make this a reality.

Sal Khan interview so insightful

This interview was done so well and the insights he provided were the best I've heard yet.

Love the Sal Khan interview

There has been a pleasant shift to add in interviews with relevant experts in fields that intersect with education and personalizing. Especially this recent Sal Khan interview.

Keep it up John!

Designing for Belonging with Dr. Susie Wise

Equity Design + Visual Design + Conversation Between 2 Creative Thinkers = A Beautifully Blended, Inspiring & Unifying Podcast (Just like a book that you don't want to end!) This is one of my favorite John Spencer podcasts, but it's not the ONLY one, that's for sure! So many I want to comment on, I'm just on replay for a 2nd (maybe 3rd?!) time as I read her book AGAIN and take notes and journal along. Favorite Quote: "Belonging is a sense.. it's a feeling that I'm not ONLY included, but WHO I AM is sought out and honored! That I can show up as MY WHOLE SELF - THAT'S what it feels like to belong!" Favorite Rabbit Hole: Othering (the complete opposite of belonging ) & John Powell's work Just like her book is suggested as a fast and practical read with big and bold ideas that you can easily and regularly reference... So Are John's Podcasts! So many fascinating rabbit holes of knowledge to go down on each and every one of his podcasts AND this book! Highly worth your time, again and again and again. 😊

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the creative classroom with john spencer

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‎The Creative Classroom with John Spencer on Apple Podcasts

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I want to see teachers can transform classrooms into spaces of imagination and wonder. So, here's where I explore what it means to make this a reality.

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10 Ways Educators Can Take Action in Pursuit of Equity | Cult of Pedagogy

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Awareness of educational inequity is important, but we also need to take action. Pedro Noguera shares ten ways educators can do just that.

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The Teacher's Guide to Student Mental Health by William Dikel

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The Teacher's Guide to Student Mental Health by William Dikel

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Educates teachers on students' mental health with notes of things that can be done within the classroom to help these students.

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From ADHD to schizophrenia and everything in between, what teachers need to know about their students' mental health.

Twenty percent of children and adolescents have a mental health disorder and in five percent, the disorder is severe. Chances are that every classroom in America will have at least one student who has a mental health disorder, possibly even in the severe range. These students often have symptoms that interfere with their ability to learn. From Ontario, Canada to California, school districts and state Boards of Education are recognizing the importance of comprehensive approaches to student mental health that include teacher education.

By understanding child and adolescent mental health issues, general education and special education teachers have additional tools to provide the most successful educational environment for their students. But where can a teacher turn to get reliable information on what they need to know?
Here, William Dikel, MD, a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, who serves as a consultant to school districts nationwide, answers the call with a comprehensive, teacher-focused guide to student mental health. From anxiety and depression to ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, behavior disorders, substance use disorders, and psychoses, this practical book provides essential information on how mental health disorders are diagnosed and treated, how they tend to manifest at school, and how they affect students' emotions, behaviors, and ability to learn. It explains why traditional behavioral interventions are often unsuccessful, and describes effective classroom interventions that teachers can use to provide optimal educational experiences.

Teachers will learn the differences between normal child and adolescent behaviors and behaviors that reflect underlying mental health disorders, and will recognize where these behaviors fall on a spectrum, ranging from behavioral (planned, volitional acts that clearly have a function) to the clinical (where a mental health disorder is causing the behavior).

They will also learn how to communicate effectively with their school teams (and student families) to ensure that school mental health staff (psychologists, social workers, counselors, and nurses) will be able to provide appropriate interventions for students in need. Administrators will learn the importance of creating a district mental health plan that clearly defines the roles of teachers, mental health staff, principals, and others, with the goal of establishing a seamless system of coordinated professionals all working to meet the student's needs.

Finally, the book profiles successful programs, provided both by school districts and in collaboration with community mental health professionals, including Response to Intervention (RTI), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), social-emotional learning, and school-linked mental health services.

Based on the author's thirty years of experience providing consultation to teachers in settings varying from general education classrooms to self-contained special education programs for severely emotionally disturbed students, this book will be an invaluable guide for parents, school principals, special education directors, school social workers, counselors, psychologists, and nurses.

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The Teacher's Guide to Student Mental Health

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From ADHD to schizophrenia and everything in between, what teachers need to know about their students' mental health. Twenty percent of children and adolescents have a mental health disorder and in five percent, the disorder is severe. Chances are that every classroom in America will have at least one student who has a mental health disorder, possibly even in the severe range.

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Crying is Like the Rain - Heather Hawk Feinberg

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Crying is Like the Rain - Heather Hawk Feinberg

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Is it possible we've misunderstood crying all along? That's the discovery one big sister sets out to share with her little brother as they walk to school and get caught in a storm. Along the way they explore sadness, loneliness, fear, frustration, anger and more, through gentle metaphor. Their journey examines our tears revealing how they begin, why they happen, and what to do with them. Throughout the book, the message received is that we are safe in our emotional experiences and that feelings, like the weather, come and go. This is an empowering story about navigating and understanding our feelings as a healthy, important, and very natural part of our lives. Have you ever noticed you feel differently after you cry? That's because Crying is like the Rain.

color throughout

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Crying is Like the Rain: A Story of Mindfulness and Feelings

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Crying is Like the Rain: A Story of Mindfulness and Feelings [Feinberg, Heather Hawk, Kellogg, Chamisa] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Crying is Like the Rain: A Story of Mindfulness and Feelings

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SlidesMania gives various themes for Google Slides and PowerPoint that can be used, and edited.

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Seesaw allows educators and students to create a virtual portfolio.

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As a teacher, how do you address the diverse needs of all students?

Equity in the classroom, or supporting the outcomes of students of all backgrounds and abilities, is essential to a productive learning environment.

However, promoting equity is complex. When teachers prioritize the needs of white students, boys/men, or the non-disabled, they create barriers for students of color, girls/women, and studies with disabilities. This presents yet another challenge for educators trying to help their students succeed.

So how do you create an equitable classroom where all students can thrive? Consider a Master of Arts in Teaching program, and check out these seven tips:
1. Reflect on your own beliefs
Before you can create a more equitable learning environment in the classroom, consider your own beliefs.

Teachers, like anyone else, may not be aware of the biases that exist in their training and upbringing. Data shows that girls receive less and lower-quality feedback than boys in class. Meanwhile, students of color report that they sometimes feel excluded from classroom interaction.

Even the most well-intentioned educators may have blindspots. White teachers may not understand the challenges of historically marginalized students due to a lack of preparation in their training. It's also possible that they attribute lack of success to deficiencies that they associate with students of color.

Understanding your own positionality, or the circumstances that create your identity in terms of race, gender and ability, can help you become more conscious of issues related to racial equity and gender equity, and help you support students in your class.
2. Reduce race and gender barriers to learning
While it might not be obvious, you may be unintentionally excluding students of color and female students in your classroom. Here's how you can avoid it:
Don't ask students of color to be "experts" on their race
Asking students of color for their point of view is important in class discussions, but don't assume that they are authorities on their race. Race is one part of their social identity. They may also feel pressure to discuss a topic that's perceived to be related to their race, when in fact they don't have an opinion.
Diversify your curriculum
To the extent that you can control your curriculum, expose students to a spectrum of multicultural and female experts, writers and artists. You'll more accurately represent the different contributors to your class' subject, and potentially establish a cultural connection for your students.
Hold every student to high expectations
Students of color report being held to lower expectations than white students. Meanwhile female students hear more comments about their appearance than their academic skills.

By setting a high bar for achievement for all students, you encourage them to engage with your class, and avoid any stereotypes of what they're capable of accomplishing.
Avoid assumptions about students' backgrounds
It may be tempting to assume that your students share similar life experiences. However, this can be problematic since everyone's circumstances are different. In particular, schools with large student populations may represent a greater variety of racial and economic backgrounds, as well as students with undefined gender identities.
3. Establish an inclusive environment early
Clarify early in the term (perhaps in your first class) that you want to create an inclusive space for students. Discussions should represent a variety of views, and students should feel comfortable expressing themselves.

It's also important to let them know that name-calling, personal attacks, and hostile interactions won't be tolerated. If students disagree, they must respond to each other with respect. Indeed, mutual respect yields more open and productive conversations.

By establishing rules early in the course, students should understand their role in creating an inclusive classroom.
4. Be dynamic with classroom space
You can foster inclusion in the classroom through how you engage your students, starting with your use of space.

Class formation can send signals about authority and equitable engagement. Do you always stand in front of the classroom to address rows of students? Consider classroom set-ups that emphasize interaction, such as group seating. Also, consider where you position yourself. Moving among students may de-emphasize the teacher-student hierarchy, and stimulate more discussion.

Similarly, try varying your activities. Whether it's group, paired or individual work, when you arrange students in different formations, you may increase their engagement with each other, and the class material.
5. Accommodate learning styles and disabilities
Learning styles vary from student to student, differ between males and females, and vary for people with disabilities. To create equity in the classroom for everyone, here are a few methods to try:

Variance - Present the same information in different ways for visual, aural and verbal learners

Use a variety of media (e.g., audiobooks, movies)

Include transcripts for multimedia materials

Provide supplemental materials to the lesson plan (e.g., glossaries, illustrations)

Make technology accessible (e.g., give students the ability to increase text size or adjust brightness)

For presentations, use dyslexia-friendly fonts

Read test instructions aloud, even if they appear in print

6. Be mindful of how you use technology
Many teachers use technology as an integral part of the classroom. While it can be a useful way to engage students and appeal to a variety of learning styles, consider its impact on those with physical disabilities.

Screen readers can assist students by opening resources, but other digital tools may actually hinder their ability to perform actions such as clicking, dragging and dropping that are not compliant with accessibility standards.

Review Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to ensure that your technology tools are in compliance, and are accessible to physically disabled students.
7. Be aware of religious holidays
When planning your course, remember to account for religious holidays and observances. Students may need to miss class on certain days and make up assignments, quizzes or exams.

At the beginning of the term, it's a good idea to announce that you have tried to avoid conflicts with major religious holidays when planning the course. However, if students have a conflict, they should let you know as soon as possible.
USC Rossier resources
For more information on improving equity in the classroom, visit our Tools for Inclusive Teaching page.

Ready to elevate your teaching career? Check out our Master of Arts in Teaching program.

If you're a teacher who wants to advance your career in education, see the Leading Instructional Change concentration of our Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EDL) program.

Want to connect with someone about your options?

Connect With Admission Staff
Sources: https://kappanonline.org/andrus-jacobs-kuriloff-gender-equity-classroom/ http://crlt.umich.edu/sites/default/files/resource_files/CRLT_no7.pdf https://equity.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CreatingaPositiveClassroomClimateWeb-2.pdf http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov04/vol62/num03/With-Boys-and-Girls-in-Mind.aspx https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/edblogs.columbia.edu/dist/8/1109/files/2020/02/Guide-for-Inclusive-Teaching-at-Columbia_Accessibility-Revisions_15-January-2020_FINAL.pdf

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Seven effective ways to promote equity in the classroom

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As a teacher, how do you address the diverse needs of all students? Equity in the classroom, or supporting the outcomes of students of all backgrounds and abilities, is essential to a productive learning environment. However, promoting equity is complex.

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Multimedia tool to create more eye-appealing materials for students to learn from and to use as reference.

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Bitly allows educators to shorten links for students to use. This makes it easier also for teachers to direct students to websites in the classroom if having to write out/share the link to students out loud.

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Create interactive slides to use with students - could be very beneficial if teaching virtually.

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Find specific articles that can help you better develop or refine teaching strategies.

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Professional Development Resources for Teachers - TeacherVision

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Discover a wide range of professional development resources for teachers. You can improve your teaching skills with these articles, lesson plans, and resources.

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Content specific videos that allow students to learn while using their bodies to move around and be active within the classroom environment.

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My kids love it. It's not just them wiggling, it's them learning or reinforcing something that they already know. - Mrs. Wells 3rd Grade

Monthly Membership

Every month

Please complete steps 1 & 2 to gain full access.

Pre-Pay for a Year

Every year

Please complete steps 1 & 2 to gain full access.

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Best way to engage students in learning! | Kids Freeze Dance!

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My kids love it. It's not just them wiggling, it's them learning or reinforcing something that they already know. - Mrs. Wells 3rd Grade Every month Please complete steps 1 & 2 to gain full access. Every year Please complete steps 1 & 2 to gain full access.

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Project based learning ideas and lesson plans that correlate with various topics in every subject for various grades.

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A blog by a STEM teacher documenting classroom activities and strategies.

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Learning is Messy - Roll up your sleeves and get messy

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Learning for Justice Professional Development & Classroom Resources

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Learning for Justice Professional Development & Classroom Resources

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We've changed our name to better reflect our mission and our work.

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Generation Genius includes science lesson plans, and videos for students to learn content.

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It was processed successfully!

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Trusted By Teachers in Over 20,000 Schools

K-8 Science

"My students loved the videos. I started the video subscription in May and used them as a review before the state test, which I know contributed to 100% of my class passing the state test."

Introduction to Weather

The teacher guides and activities are engaging and well thought out. I particularly enjoy the hands-on activities because they are open-ended, affordable, and really support the NGSS Design principles."

Multicellular Organisms

"Students are engaged and excited about the videos! You have found a way to update for the new generations!
Loved it so much paid for it with my own money! It is so worth it!"

Chemical vs. Physical Changes

K-8 Math

"My 5th graders love watching it every week and I like the comprehensive worksheets that go with each episode so I can get a check on the children's knowledge."

Comparing 2-Digit Numbers

"This by far, was one of the best resources I have come across. My students, third grade, absolutely loved the videos and lessons. Everyday they would ask if we were going to generation genius!"

Into to Angles

"My students and I have LOVED Generation Genius! With Generation Genius, I can "take" my students places they may never travel and experience things they may never see first hand."

Dividing Fractions by Fractions

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It was processed successfully! It was processed successfully! Trusted By Teachers in Over 20,000 Schools "My students loved the videos. I started the video subscription in May and used them as a review before the state test, which I know contributed to 100% of my class passing the state test."

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Lalilo is phonics work online for students.

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Lalilo by Renaissance | Practice and instruction on Foundational Literacy skills

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Sign up and invite parents remotely for home access to phonics and reading lessons.

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Website containing online manipulatives for math across various grades and disciplines.

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National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

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A digital library containing Java applets and activities for K-12 mathematics

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Online Social Studies Games

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Our comprehensive, short-form video series created with the Center for Civic Education explains the text, history, and relevance of the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and additional amendments in everyday language. Check out all 35 videos today!

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Various writing prompts for students according to grade level.

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Category

Writing prompts are meant to unlock creativity. They're story starters designed to inspire creative thinking. They can take you to places you've been or recall an important time in your life.

But mostly, they're useful tools for teachers to inspire writing growth in students from grade school to high school.
"Once upon a time, in a land far, far away..."
It's amazing how one simple sentence can send you on a journey to places you've never been, filled with untold possibilities.

Reading is great, but you know what's even better? Giving your students the power to write stories for themselves.

Writing prompts for kids help students:

Express themselves and their creativity

Grasp lifelong literacy skills and concepts

Tell their own stories and build self-confidence

Develop a growth mindset when it comes to their writing skills

Writing is like a muscle - it takes practice to build up skills. Luckily, we put together a list of over 200 writing prompts to help your students get started. We've also organized them by middle school, high school and elementary school to help teachers decide whether these prompts are age-appropriate for their students.

Grade school writing prompts

Grade schoolers can definitely begin to address complex ideas when it comes to story writing - but you should seek to keep the prompts simple and straightforward.

Reluctant writers might be intimidated by complicated writing ideas - and this is an age where we should be encouraging creativity.

Creative writing prompts for elementary schoolers

Whether it's exploring the furthest reaches of outer space, traveling across the Sahara desert or sticking a little closer to home, these creative writing prompts will have students imagining endless possibilities for their writing.

Fun writing prompts for grade schoolers

Everyday life is full of great inspiration for writing! Get students thinking with these easy and fun writing prompts.Write about something you are good at.

Persuasive writing prompts for elementary school

Are your students' opinions up for debate? Ask them to flex their critical thinking skills with these persuasive writing prompts. Once they're done, get class discussion flowing with a spirited debate!

1. Write a letter convincing your parents to let you get a pet dog. What arguments do you use to persuade them?

2. Convince your teacher that you should be allowed an extra 15 minutes of recess.

3. Convince your best friend to read your favorite book.

4. How would you convince someone to do your chores for you?

5. Write a commercial for your favorite breakfast food. What would convince someone else to try it?

6. What flavor of chips is the best? Why?

7. What would make a better pet - a monkey or a peacock?

8. Do you think children should be allowed to stay up as late as they want?

9. What's your favorite holiday and why should it be everyone's favorite?

10. Convince us that your favorite food should be a staple in everyone's diet.

Middle school writing prompts

As students enter middle school, they're starting to feel like bigger, older kids. They can start writing original short stories and abstract persuasive essays.

It's best to inspire creativity at this age and encourage them to explore their own voice and different writing styles. These prompts will definitely go a long way in inspiring that.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

1. Invent a new type of transportation for the future. Who uses it? Where does it go?

2. If you had a time machine, where would you visit first - the past or the future? Why?

3. You get on the bus and find a four-piece jazz band giving a concert. What do you do?

4. Design and name your own Prodigy pet. What element are they? What's their special power?

5. Finish this story: "Something just touched my foot," they shouted, swimming frantically towards the shore.

6. Write a silly or scary story to tell around a campfire.

7. Finish this story: Everything was going so well today - until I tripped and fell, right in front of...

8. Throughout your adventures as a pirate on the high seas, you've seen lots of strange and magical creatures. Which one was the most interesting?

9. Deep in the heart of a dark and mysterious cave, there lies a magic stone. Write about your quest to find it.

10. Write an acrostic poem using the word "strawberry."

11. There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She knit and she baked, but what else did she do?

12. Finish this story: "One thing I'll never do again," she said, "Is go on vacation with an alpaca."

13. Make up a new planet and describe it.

14. Write a story about a family of penguins living on an iceberg.

15. Write a story about a girl who can walk through walls.

16. You've been invited to a ball at the Queen's palace! What is it like?

17. Imagine you're exploring the Amazon jungle. Write a diary entry about your day.

18. If you could invent a TV show, what would it be about?

19. You discovered an underwater kingdom! What is it like there?

20. A lonely trumpet player makes friends with the dancer who lives next door. What happens next?

21. You go to the park to fly a kite, but get carried away by the wind! What happens next?

22. Write a story about a volcano that's about to erupt.

23. Write a story about visiting an old lady who lives deep in the woods.

24. Boom, you're a superhero! Give yourself an origin story, describe your superpowers and plan what you'll do to make the world a better place.

25. Write a story using these six words: calendar, headphones, lipstick, mug, bear.

26. You wake up to find you're invisible. How did it happen? What do you do?

27. There's been a robbery at the bank, and you're in charge of finding the culprit. How do you solve the case?

28. Finish the story: Once upon a time, there was a dragon...

29. You just joined a super-secret spy organization. What's your first mission?

30. Write a story about being cold without using the word "cold."

31. You're a scientist and you've just discovered a new type of bug. Describe what it looks like, where it's from and what you're going to call it.

32. Imagine a world where all the birds can talk. What would they say?

33. Write about what happens after the end of your favorite book or movie.

34. Finish the story: She sprinted down the driveway to the mailbox. The package was here!

35. You're on a hike and a bird starts talking to you. What do you do? What does it say?

36. Write a story using these five words: bubblegum, stapler, spoon, lightbulb, strawberry.

37. You ate a magical carrot and your skin turned orange! What happens next?

38. Write about what it would be like if you had an elephant for a pet.

Fun Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why?

2. Is it better to read the book before you watch the movie, or watch the movie before you read the book?

3. Persuade someone to try out your favorite hobby or sport.

4. What's the best way to try and persuade a friend to do what you want to do?

5. When is peer pressure good? When is peer pressure bad?

6. Is it better to have lots of friends, or just a few really good friends?

7. Should students be in charge of what they learn in school?

High school writing prompts

High school students can either be tasked with more complex writing prompts or breathe nuance into simple story ideas. Students can drive these prompts in a million different ways.

So while not necessarily more complicated than middle school, these prompts can be tweaked, either by the student or teacher, to encourage thought-provoking output.

Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

1. If you had a time machine, where would you visit first - the past or the future? Why?

2. Write a story about someone your age who lives on the other side of the world.

3. Pick up the nearest book and turn to page 7. Close your eyes and point to a random word on the page, then write a story about that word.

4. Write a story in ten words or less.

5. You fell asleep for 100 years. What does the world look like when you wake up?

6. Finish the story: "This isn't what I hoped would happen," she said....

7. You're walking down the street when you see someone who looks exactly like you.

8. Write a story where the main character learns something new about themselves.

9. Write a story that takes place in the desert.

10. Write a story about a day where everything seems to go wrong.

11. Write a poem about the color blue.

12. Write the funniest story you can think of.

13. How would your life be different if you didn't have access to a computer, video games or your phone?

Fun writing prompts for high schoolers

Persuasive writing prompts for high school

1. Should kids be allowed to use social media unsupervised? Why or why not?

2. Persuade someone to start a healthy habit, or get rid of a bad one.

3. Should all single-use plastics be outlawed? Why or why not?

4. Should our school have a dress code? Why or why not?

5. Is it more important to be right or to not hurt someone else's feelings?

6. What important historical figure do you think belongs on the ten-dollar bill?

7. Do you think you're born with your personality traits, or do you gain them as you grow up?

8. Should mobile apps be responsible for protecting your privacy - why or why not?

Social emotional learning journal prompts

Math writing prompts for kids

Whether it's tackling word problems or explaining a new concept, writing is a surprisingly good tool for the math classroom.

A math journal can help you understand what students already know, while giving them space to work through tricky concepts on their own. Use these writing prompts to promote literacy in every subject - and help students avoid math anxiety.

1. Tell me everything you know about ________.

2. Explain, in words, how to solve this problem.

3. What is and isn't true about this situation?

4. What is _______?

5. Explain two different ways to solve this problem. Which one is better?

6. What did you get correct in this problem?

7. What mistakes did you make while solving this problem?

8. What do you not understand about _____?

9. Write a word problem using the concept we're learning about.

10. What did you learn today?

11. How do you use math in your everyday life?

12. What is the easiest/hardest part of math class?

13. What discoveries did you make in math class today?

Final thoughts on writing prompts for kids

Writing prompts aren't the end of the story - they're just the beginning. Encourage your students to build a regular writing practice, and soon you'll see the benefits in every class.

Where will your students' imaginations take them?

Inspire student imagination with Prodigy English

Prodigy's brand-new game, Prodigy English, encourages students to build creativity and reading and language skills. Students can explore and create a world of their very own as they answer questions to gain energy, meet new characters, earn coins and build a village. And as they play, you'll be able to track their progress and achievement for easy assessment!

Create your free teacher account today to get started.

Create my free teacher account
Writing prompts are meant to unlock creativity. They're story starters designed to inspire creative thinking. They can take you to places you've been or recall an important time in your life.

But mostly, they're useful tools for teachers to inspire writing growth in students from grade school to high school.
"Once upon a time, in a land far, far away..."
It's amazing how one simple sentence can send you on a journey to places you've never been, filled with untold possibilities.

Reading is great, but you know what's even better? Giving your students the power to write stories for themselves.

Writing prompts for kids help students:

Express themselves and their creativity

Grasp lifelong literacy skills and concepts

Tell their own stories and build self-confidence

Develop a growth mindset when it comes to their writing skills

Writing is like a muscle - it takes practice to build up skills. Luckily, we put together a list of over 200 writing prompts to help your students get started. We've also organized them by middle school, high school and elementary school to help teachers decide whether these prompts are age-appropriate for their students.

Grade school writing prompts

Grade schoolers can definitely begin to address complex ideas when it comes to story writing - but you should seek to keep the prompts simple and straightforward.

Reluctant writers might be intimidated by complicated writing ideas - and this is an age where we should be encouraging creativity.

Creative writing prompts for elementary schoolers

Whether it's exploring the furthest reaches of outer space, traveling across the Sahara desert or sticking a little closer to home, these creative writing prompts will have students imagining endless possibilities for their writing.

Fun writing prompts for grade schoolers

Everyday life is full of great inspiration for writing! Get students thinking with these easy and fun writing prompts.Write about something you are good at.

Persuasive writing prompts for elementary school

Are your students' opinions up for debate? Ask them to flex their critical thinking skills with these persuasive writing prompts. Once they're done, get class discussion flowing with a spirited debate!

1. Write a letter convincing your parents to let you get a pet dog. What arguments do you use to persuade them?

2. Convince your teacher that you should be allowed an extra 15 minutes of recess.

3. Convince your best friend to read your favorite book.

4. How would you convince someone to do your chores for you?

5. Write a commercial for your favorite breakfast food. What would convince someone else to try it?

6. What flavor of chips is the best? Why?

7. What would make a better pet - a monkey or a peacock?

8. Do you think children should be allowed to stay up as late as they want?

9. What's your favorite holiday and why should it be everyone's favorite?

10. Convince us that your favorite food should be a staple in everyone's diet.

Middle school writing prompts

As students enter middle school, they're starting to feel like bigger, older kids. They can start writing original short stories and abstract persuasive essays.

It's best to inspire creativity at this age and encourage them to explore their own voice and different writing styles. These prompts will definitely go a long way in inspiring that.

Creative Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

1. Invent a new type of transportation for the future. Who uses it? Where does it go?

2. If you had a time machine, where would you visit first - the past or the future? Why?

3. You get on the bus and find a four-piece jazz band giving a concert. What do you do?

4. Design and name your own Prodigy pet. What element are they? What's their special power?

5. Finish this story: "Something just touched my foot," they shouted, swimming frantically towards the shore.

6. Write a silly or scary story to tell around a campfire.

7. Finish this story: Everything was going so well today - until I tripped and fell, right in front of...

8. Throughout your adventures as a pirate on the high seas, you've seen lots of strange and magical creatures. Which one was the most interesting?

9. Deep in the heart of a dark and mysterious cave, there lies a magic stone. Write about your quest to find it.

10. Write an acrostic poem using the word "strawberry."

11. There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She knit and she baked, but what else did she do?

12. Finish this story: "One thing I'll never do again," she said, "Is go on vacation with an alpaca."

13. Make up a new planet and describe it.

14. Write a story about a family of penguins living on an iceberg.

15. Write a story about a girl who can walk through walls.

16. You've been invited to a ball at the Queen's palace! What is it like?

17. Imagine you're exploring the Amazon jungle. Write a diary entry about your day.

18. If you could invent a TV show, what would it be about?

19. You discovered an underwater kingdom! What is it like there?

20. A lonely trumpet player makes friends with the dancer who lives next door. What happens next?

21. You go to the park to fly a kite, but get carried away by the wind! What happens next?

22. Write a story about a volcano that's about to erupt.

23. Write a story about visiting an old lady who lives deep in the woods.

24. Boom, you're a superhero! Give yourself an origin story, describe your superpowers and plan what you'll do to make the world a better place.

25. Write a story using these six words: calendar, headphones, lipstick, mug, bear.

26. You wake up to find you're invisible. How did it happen? What do you do?

27. There's been a robbery at the bank, and you're in charge of finding the culprit. How do you solve the case?

28. Finish the story: Once upon a time, there was a dragon...

29. You just joined a super-secret spy organization. What's your first mission?

30. Write a story about being cold without using the word "cold."

31. You're a scientist and you've just discovered a new type of bug. Describe what it looks like, where it's from and what you're going to call it.

32. Imagine a world where all the birds can talk. What would they say?

33. Write about what happens after the end of your favorite book or movie.

34. Finish the story: She sprinted down the driveway to the mailbox. The package was here!

35. You're on a hike and a bird starts talking to you. What do you do? What does it say?

36. Write a story using these five words: bubblegum, stapler, spoon, lightbulb, strawberry.

37. You ate a magical carrot and your skin turned orange! What happens next?

38. Write about what it would be like if you had an elephant for a pet.

Fun Writing Prompts for Middle Schoolers

Persuasive Writing Prompts for Middle School

1. If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be and why?

2. Is it better to read the book before you watch the movie, or watch the movie before you read the book?

3. Persuade someone to try out your favorite hobby or sport.

4. What's the best way to try and persuade a friend to do what you want to do?

5. When is peer pressure good? When is peer pressure bad?

6. Is it better to have lots of friends, or just a few really good friends?

7. Should students be in charge of what they learn in school?

High school writing prompts

High school students can either be tasked with more complex writing prompts or breathe nuance into simple story ideas. Students can drive these prompts in a million different ways.

So while not necessarily more complicated than middle school, these prompts can be tweaked, either by the student or teacher, to encourage thought-provoking output.

Creative Writing Prompts for High Schoolers

1. If you had a time machine, where would you visit first - the past or the future? Why?

2. Write a story about someone your age who lives on the other side of the world.

3. Pick up the nearest book and turn to page 7. Close your eyes and point to a random word on the page, then write a story about that word.

4. Write a story in ten words or less.

5. You fell asleep for 100 years. What does the world look like when you wake up?

6. Finish the story: "This isn't what I hoped would happen," she said....

7. You're walking down the street when you see someone who looks exactly like you.

8. Write a story where the main character learns something new about themselves.

9. Write a story that takes place in the desert.

10. Write a story about a day where everything seems to go wrong.

11. Write a poem about the color blue.

12. Write the funniest story you can think of.

13. How would your life be different if you didn't have access to a computer, video games or your phone?

Fun writing prompts for high schoolers

Persuasive writing prompts for high school

1. Should kids be allowed to use social media unsupervised? Why or why not?

2. Persuade someone to start a healthy habit, or get rid of a bad one.

3. Should all single-use plastics be outlawed? Why or why not?

4. Should our school have a dress code? Why or why not?

5. Is it more important to be right or to not hurt someone else's feelings?

6. What important historical figure do you think belongs on the ten-dollar bill?

7. Do you think you're born with your personality traits, or do you gain them as you grow up?

8. Should mobile apps be responsible for protecting your privacy - why or why not?

Social emotional learning journal prompts

Math writing prompts for kids

Whether it's tackling word problems or explaining a new concept, writing is a surprisingly good tool for the math classroom.

A math journal can help you understand what students already know, while giving them space to work through tricky concepts on their own. Use these writing prompts to promote literacy in every subject - and help students avoid math anxiety.

1. Tell me everything you know about ________.

2. Explain, in words, how to solve this problem.

3. What is and isn't true about this situation?

4. What is _______?

5. Explain two different ways to solve this problem. Which one is better?

6. What did you get correct in this problem?

7. What mistakes did you make while solving this problem?

8. What do you not understand about _____?

9. Write a word problem using the concept we're learning about.

10. What did you learn today?

11. How do you use math in your everyday life?

12. What is the easiest/hardest part of math class?

13. What discoveries did you make in math class today?

Final thoughts on writing prompts for kids

Writing prompts aren't the end of the story - they're just the beginning. Encourage your students to build a regular writing practice, and soon you'll see the benefits in every class.

Where will your students' imaginations take them?

Inspire student imagination with Prodigy English

Prodigy's brand-new game, Prodigy English, encourages students to build creativity and reading and language skills. Students can explore and create a world of their very own as they answer questions to gain energy, meet new characters, earn coins and build a village. And as they play, you'll be able to track their progress and achievement for easy assessment!

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225 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids of All Grade Levels

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Kickstart your students' imagination with these 225 writing prompts for kids.

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Fostering Resilient Learners - Kristin Van Mater

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Fostering Resilient Learners - Kristin Van Mater

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Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom - ASCD

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In this galvanizing book for all educators, Kristin Souers and Pete Hall explore an urgent and growing issue—childhood trauma—and its profound effect on learning and teaching. Grounded in research and the authors’ experience working with trauma-affected students and their teachers, Fostering Resilie

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"Persico's atmospheric illustrations aptly reflect Cora's shifting emotions, and Kilgore successfully balances the whimsical with a tale grounded in reality." -Publishers Weekly
"What if my dog runs away?
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What if my crayon breaks? Cora and her Whatifs have a charming appeal beyond their focus on tackling anxious thoughts, making an enjoyable read-aloud for wide audiences. . . . A thoroughly welcome addition to growing collections of socio-emotional development materials." -Kirkus Reviews

Cora is struggling with her Whatif questions ahead of a big piano recital in this timely picture book about overcoming anxiety.
Cora is constantly worrying about everything. Because of this, the Whatifs love her. They sneak up to her and give her all kinds of doubts: big or small, silly or frightening, likely or impossible. As she prepares for an upcoming piano recital, the Whatifs cling on tighter and drag her down, making her anxious about messing up during the concert. Will she be able to change her worry-filled thoughts into hopeful ones?

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The Whatifs [Kilgore, Emily, Persico, Zoe] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Whatifs

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Everyone knows that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach just before diving into a new situation. Sarah Jane Hartwell is scared and doesn't want to start over at a new school. She doesn't know anybody, and nobody knows her. It will be awful. She just knows it. With much prodding from Mr. Hartwell, Sarah Jane reluctantly pulls herself together and goes to school. She is quickly befriended by Mrs. Burton, who helps smooth her jittery transition. This charming and familiar story will delight readers with its surprise ending.

Fun, energetic illustrations brighten page after page with the busy antics surrounding Sarah Jane. FIRST DAY JITTERS is an enchanting story that is sure to be treasured by anyone who has ever anticipated a first day of school.

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First Day Jitters (The Jitters Series) [Danneberg, Julie, Love, Judy] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. First Day Jitters (The Jitters Series)

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Cooks books for students' interests, and a nonfiction way of reading in the classroom

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Daniel Gercke (Author), Christopher Testani (Photographer)

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Cook It! The Dr. Seuss Cookbook for Kid Chefs: 50+ Yummy Recipes

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Cook It! The Dr. Seuss Cookbook for Kid Chefs: 50+ Yummy Recipes [Gercke, Daniel, Testani, Christopher] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Cook It! The Dr. Seuss Cookbook for Kid Chefs: 50+ Yummy Recipes

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Trapped in a Video Game: The Complete Series

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Amazon.com: Trapped in a Video Game: The Complete Series: 9781449499556: Brady, Dustin, Brady, Jesse: Books

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Practices to Promote Equity in the Classroom

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Practices to Promote Equity in the Classroom

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The United States is comprised of over 300 million individuals with unique cultures, identities, and backgrounds, and the population is only becoming more diverse over time. A recent Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, for example, determined that the "post-Millennial generation"-those born from 1997 to 2012-is "the most racially and ethnically diverse generation" in the country's history.

As this and other types of diversity have continued to increase in society today, the need for equity among people of different backgrounds has become equally relevant. Conversations about issues such as LGBTQ discrimination or the "Black Lives Matter" movement, among many others, are making their way into workplaces, schools, and communities more often than ever before.

In educational institutions especially, there is a desire among students, teachers, and administration alike to embrace this diversity and create equity in the classroom. Read on to learn about what equity in the classroom is, why it's relevant, and some of the best practices educators can use to promote it.

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What is Equity in The Classroom?

'Equity' can have a lot of different definitions, depending on the context but, at its core, the concept involves giving everyone in a situation the specific tools that they need to be successful. In the classroom, promoting equity is about educators choosing to embrace rather than shy away from the unique backgrounds, identities, and experiences that their individual students bring to the table.

"Classrooms are works in progress in which we inevitably bring...our different social identities and social locations into the learning process," says Polly Attwood, an associate teaching professor in the education program within Northeastern University's College of Professional Studies. "[To achieve] equity, we must [address] the ways in which those identities and locations are part of how we learn and who we are as we learn, and build on those perspectives as a way to understand each other and make learning relevant."

This means educators must not only be able to recognize the differences in race, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other social identities among their students, but also adjust their approach to teaching those students accordingly. "[I try] to make sure that what I teach meets a student where they are, including how those identities and experiences shape how they learn...rather than seeing it as a problem or something I have to manage," Attwood explains.

By developing her approach to teaching in this way, she has found that she is able to create an environment in the classroom that celebrates diversity, and "build[s] a community across those differences."

The Relevance of Equity in the Classroom

With this diverse 'post-Millennial' generation in their prime education years, it is no wonder the need for embracing diversity in the classroom has become so common today. However, Attwood challenges that, among many teachers, this concept is far from new.

"I think these have always been very real issues," she says. "What's changed maybe is that because of the ways in which our society has been broken open...the critical mass, including my students, realize they need to understand and talk about these issues even when it's not directly about them."

Attwood's unique relationship with equity in education is defined by the fact that she not only works to apply these practices within each of the classes she teaches, but also must encourage and guide aspiring teachers to do the same in their future classrooms. For this reason, she has had a unique opportunity to watch her students' desire for the tools to apply these practices grow over the years.

"[Today], more of my students who are becoming teachers realize they have to think about [equity] and understand it...they want to engage these issues and they don't want to pretend we're in a color-blind or class-blind or gender-blind reality," Attwood says. "[They're] saying, 'we are not going to participate in this notion that there's a kind of bland diversity and inclusion. We want to talk about how these issues of equity and power are part of spaces of learning.'"

4 Practices to Promote Equity in the Classroom

Teachers use a multitude of strategies to try to create a learning environment that does fully embrace the differences among their students, yet Attwood makes it clear that promoting equity in the classroom is not a science.

"There are certain guidelines and practices that are more promoted within the discussion [of equity in education], but there's not a magic recipe for how you do this," she says. Instead, she explains that there are some basic approaches to developing a tone of equality in a classroom that teachers should follow in order to get their students in the right mindset to bridge such sensitive topics. These practices-alongside each teacher's own experiences, background, and personal strengths-will create an equitable environment in which students can learn.

1. Promoting the Act of "Calling In"

This method of promoting equity in the classroom is derived from the idea that teachers must always be listening for and identifying moments of bias, oppression, and other subconscious, identity-based assumptions and ideas that students bring up in the classroom. In these instances, Attwood says, it's important that "rather than call people out on what they don't know or where you disagree...[educators should, instead], call in ..." and address the issue head-on so that students can "learn from and through their differences, even when [it's] challenging."

An example of a situation where the act of "calling in" may be utilized, is if a student was to make an insensitive comment about someone's gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. during a group discussion. In this scenario, Attwood believes in stopping the discussion and identifying that the comment was insensitive. She stresses that this does not mean making the commenter feel bad about what he or she has said but, instead, simply involves calling attention to the comment, explaining why it demotes inclusivity, and dissecting, with the rest of the class, what about the commenter's experiences and background may have instilled these biases.

Teachers looking to become better at "calling in" must "learn how to recognize, name, and list out for everyone's examination what just happened" in a given situation, Attwood says. They must also become comfortable exemplifying how singular instances over time create patterns that everyone can learn from. By identifying these patterns, students are given the opportunity to debrief and explore what socialization processes may have led them to think a certain way about the issue at hand, and take a first step toward breaking free of those subconscious ideas. "If we have learned these patterns that means we can unlearn them," Attwood says, "But first we have to identify them."

2. Communicating Classroom Standards

It is an educator's responsibility to set the standards for the way a classroom will run, which must be done both very clearly and very early on in the learning process. In order to promote equity in the classroom, there are a few very specific and significant standards educators should aim to set.

Learning in Discomfort

Attwood explains that in order to practice the act of "calling in," students need to build their capacity to learn in and through discomfort. It is in this state, she says, that students can actually be most open to new ideas, including those that may challenge how they previously looked at a certain aspect of the world.

Respecting Everyone's Voice

It's important that each student in the room feels that they have both the power to speak their mind and that their words will be used productively in conversation. Without this standard in the classroom, it is only natural that the most outspoken voices will try to lead the conversation while quieter voices fall behind, when often it's the quieter voices that most need to be heard in discussions of equity.

Listening

Attwood believes that students who are able to listen and process others' perspectives without feeling the need to jump in and defend their own views can learn the most in an equitable environment.

Setting Personal Teaching Standards

Alongside setting standards for how the students in his or her classroom should act, a teacher must also take the time to address and live out their own personal teaching standards. Educators set these standards by communicating personal traits like openness, fairness, and approachability so that students who do partake in these often difficult equity-related discussions feel comfortable doing so.

Attwood explains that it's important she can "communicate being approachable and willing to listen to some students who are feeling that something's not working in that climate of the classroom." This, she stresses, is a key factor in creating the open dialogue needed to address these delicate issues.

3. Setting the Tone for Learning

Whereas setting classroom standards is about developing how students will react and engage with discussions in the classroom, setting the tone for learning is about starting students off with activities, exercises, readings, and discussion questions that bridge these difficult topics right from the start.

"I often do exercises at the beginning of a class to present an opportunity [for students] to explore for themselves-then share with each other-who they are and the backgrounds that they bring. I share mine [too]," Attwood says. "Then I name that this is going to be in the room with us, this is a part of the strength of who we are. It might also create different perspectives that we have to be willing to engage."

These types of community building exercises-which focus on identity and social location-help to ease students into larger discussions that will be had throughout each course.

Similarly, educators can present tone-specific articles that explore the way in which the class will be conducted. Being able to call upon materials that identify what "calling in" is and the benefits of that approach, or that explore the differences between taking an issue personally as opposed to exploring the general patterns aligned with it, can be incredibly helpful in setting the tone for how the class will be conducted.

One such article that Attwood suggests is " Willing To Be Disturbed " by Margaret J. Wheatley, which encourages students "to ask questions and see confusion and discomfort as a part of learning." She also recommends "Leaning In: A Student's Guide to Engaging Constructively with Social Justice Content," by Robin DiAngleo and Ozlem Sensoy.

4. Analyzing the Unique Makeup of Each Class

While the previous three practices can be applied to any group of students, it's important that educators take the time to consider the backgrounds, identities, and experiences that students in each unique class may bring to the table.

For example, Attwood identifies that some students will come into the classroom already very comfortable with conversations about social identities and locations. These students are often instrumental in facilitating such discussions. Other groups may be made up of students who all find the topic of equity uncomfortable and shy away from "calling in" on raised issues. This group may take more coaxing or a re-analysis of approach from educators trying to promote equity in the classroom, but that comfort can still be achieved just as successfully over time.

The approach to promoting equity should also vary depending on the ages and maturity levels of the class. "You can [bring equity into the classroom] from preschool through doctoral and postdoctoral programs," Attwood says. "Teachers across all age groups [must] figure out age-appropriate ways, and what the conversation needs to be, to promote equity."

It's important to identify what types of diversity are present in every group, as well-which can be accomplished through those community-building exercises-and how that will affect the way these discussions will play out in the classroom. "When you have a class with various sexualities, races, genders, ethnicities, and so on-when that diversity is in the room, you can create a space where people can understand and learn across those differences," Attwood says. "Something very powerful can happen because that diversity is represented and there's an opportunity to learn in the midst of it."

Beyond the Responsibility of Educators

While the above practices are aligned with strategies an educator can use to promote equity in the classroom, Attwood explains that this responsibility falls as much to the students and organizational leaders within a school or university as it does to the teachers.

Students can positively partake in generating an equitable learning environment by simply being open to the process. This includes:

Really listening to and learning from one another

Standing strong in their own perspective, while also recognizing the differing views of others

Differentiating between opinion-which everyone has-and informed knowledge-which comes from sustained experience, study, and practice

Striving for intellectual humility

Reaching for curiosity and new understanding when challenged

Attwood believes that the administration must also take responsibility in this process. "The literature will show you that any organization, be it a school or otherwise, that takes this issue on successfully, [can do so] because the leadership is on board," Attwood says. "The leadership...creates an environment in which everybody can keep learning with and from each other in order to build that community."
Learn more about how educators can promote equity in the classroom-along with the best practices for addressing other real-life problems within organizations in today's evolving society-within Northeastern's Doctor of Education program.

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4 Practices to Promote Equity in the Classroom

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The United States is comprised of over 300 million individuals with unique cultures, identities, and backgrounds, and the population is only becoming more diverse over time. A recent Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, for example, determined that the "post-Millennial generation"-those born from 1997 to 2012-is "the most racially and ethnically diverse generation" in the country's history.

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Every student in my classroom deserves an equal chance despite their differences, what can I do to ensure that?...

Simple; equity in education.

Now you're thinking, "How is equity possible when all too often, our education systems reinforce the same inequalities they were designed to overcome?"

It's possible because you exist. Because you can make a positive impact at a student-level where it matters most.

Truth is, actively creating opportunities for equity in education helps remove barriers so every boy and girl can succeed.

Let's dig deeper into what educational equity is and what educators can do to improve equity in the classrooms.

"What I love most about Positive Action is the way it pertains to the real issues students face in today's world!" - Lori Kessinge, 5th Grade Teacher, Critzer Elementary School, Virginia

What Does Equity Mean in Education?

Equity in education is the process of reforming practices, policies, and procedures at the school and district levels to support academic fairness and inclusion.

This ensures every child has everything they need to be successful, like resources, teachers, and interventions.

Equity and Equality

Equality is providing the same opportunities to all students

Equity is giving specific resources and support to disadvantaged students to bring them up to the same opportunity level as their peers

Equity calls for understanding the unique challenges faced by individual students and providing additional structures that help them overcome those barriers.

For instance, think of administering a math test. Since every student has their pen, paper, and a calculator, they're all equal, right?

Yes. But not equitable.

Here's how you solve this challenge by providing targeted support:

Help ESL (English as a Second Language) students understand instructions in an unfamiliar language

Provide text-to-speech technology for visually impaired students

Allocate a quiet space for students with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to complete the assignment

When you cater to these physical abilities, language skills, and other needs, your challenged students can compete with their peers at the same level.

Why Is Equity in Education Important?

Equity in education goes beyond the idea that equity is morally right because it:

Betters Our Society

The primary goal of public schools in the U.S. isn't only to prepare students for college and lucrative careers but to instill values that make them better citizens.

Additionally, students who attend economically and racially diverse schools express fewer discriminatory attitudes because they learn to see students from various backgrounds as their peers.

These tolerant environments promote:

Creativity

Motivation

Deeper learning

Critical thinking

Problem-solving skills

Integrated Schools Aid in the Reduction of Racial and Economic Achievement Gaps

In the 1970s and 80s, the height of school desegregation, the racial achievement gap in K-12 education closed more rapidly than it has overall in the decades that followed.

This is because many desegregation policies were dismantled.

More recently, something major happened when black and Latino students became less likely to be stuck in high-poverty school environments:

They had smaller achievement gaps with white students on the 2007 National Centre for Education Statistics 2007 Report Card.

In fact, one study showed that switching to complete integration in a district can reduce the current SAT score disparity by as much as one-quarter.

Encouraging, right?

Now let's take a look at what equity in education looks like in the classroom.

What Does Equity in Education Look Like?

Equity in school occurs in two steps:

1. Start by acknowledging some students arrive at school in need of more academic and socio-emotional support than others

2. Ensure students have access to high-quality education

Here are two ways you can start creating more equity as an educator:

Create an Equitable Classroom Environment

Seemingly small classroom changes have the potential to impact you and your students massively .

Equity isn't just a one-time thing but an ongoing process that should be integrated into your classroom expectations and procedures.

Here are simple-to-implement ways you can achieve the goal of equity in the classroom:

Welcome students by name as they enter the classroom, asking them for correct spelling and pronunciation of their names.

Use random response strategies like Numbered Heads Together, color-coded cards, and calling sticks.

Seek multiple perspectives during Q/A sessions using a response like, "That's one idea. Does anyone else have another?". This serves to validate all perspectives presented in the classroom.

Use body language, gestures, and expressions to show the students you value their questions and opinions-smile, nod head in affirmation, and lean toward students.

Identify students' level of knowledge before instruction begins so that you can develop inclusive lesson plans moving forward. To gauge their capacity of knowledge, use tools like:

Word Splash

K-W-L (Know, What, Learn)

Anticipation Guide

Brainstorming

Webbing

Ensure bulletin boards, displays, and instructional materials in the classroom reflect the racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds represented by students.

Keep all religious holidays in mind when creating the classroom schedule aside from the usual school holidays. You can even create a cultural lesson where you guide students as they share the significance of the different holidays in their respective cultures and/or religions.

Use a variety of visual aids and props to support student learning, like multiethnic photos, pictures, and props, and appropriate technology to illustrate concepts.

Give students effective and specific oral and written feedback that prompts improved performance. Go a step further and provide opportunities for students to vet each other through peer reviews.

Explain and model positive self-talk going ahead to share the role of positive self-talk in performing positive actions.

Address Inappropriate Remarks

Truth be told, every student comes to the classroom with their own set of biases and assumptions.

Sometimes, they voice them in inappropriate ways that are informed by stereotypes and misinformation.

Open conversation is important for successful classroom equity, but part of building equity is shutting down insensitive remarks, so students show up as their authentic selves in class.

When a student uses language that defies classroom guidelines, follow these steps:

1. Pause -Stop the lesson at once to focus on the problem so that the important discussion doesn't lose its impact.

2. Address -Draw everyone's attention to the remark without shaming the student. :

a. Identify why the statement is harmful

b. Explain why it doesn't promote equity

3. Discuss -Initiate a respectful class discussion around the biases and background knowledge that may have triggered the student to make the harmful comment.

Doing this can be quite uncomfortable at first, but discussing inappropriate remarks immediately is a powerful way of promoting equity.
How so?
It shifts focus from blaming the student to empowering all the students in the classroom with new healthier perspectives about their peers.

"Positive Action gives children strategies to change negative attitudes to positive ones. The children are actually taught how to help themselves, and others, to be positive when negative thoughts/actions are present. I am able to see what an impact the program can have on children, even as young as kindergarten." - Suzee Fujihara, Teacher at Lihikai Elementary (Lihikai, Hawaii)

How Do You Provide Equity in Education?

Equity education ensures children of every race and gender are set up to succeed.

The best way to provide equity in education is highly contingent on the ability of educators to create an ideal classroom environment.

This is where our adaptable, easy-to-use curriculum comes in. Positive Action can be adapted for a wide range of uses that you can take a look at here.

Some of the uses include:

Special education

Mental health

Multiple intelligences

Gifted and talented education

Multicultural education

Contact us today, and we'll walk you through our curriculum, showing you how it can meet your specific goals as an institution. Take it from one of our satisfied educators:

"Positive Action is a good curriculum and we tied it in with our PBIS. It really helped in making this a safe school where academics and behavior work together so that everybody can learn." - From a Principal in Robeson County, North Carolina

Click the banner below to schedule a webinar with us.

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A Practical Guide to Equity in Education

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Every student in my classroom deserves an equal chance despite their differences, what can I do to ensure that?... Simple; equity in education. Now you're thinking, "How is equity possible when all too often, our education systems reinforce the same inequalities they were designed to overcome?" It's possible because you exist.