You might not be able to have candles or other fragrant goodies in your classroom, but you deserve to enjoy relaxing aromas at home, especially if your favorite scents help you mark the transition from work to wind-down. Yankee Candle agrees—which is why this long-time favorite brand offers a 10% off discount for educators. Educators…

by Terry Heick What does ‘critical thinking’ mean? Well, that depends on who you ask. For educators, as a term, critical thinking is similar to words like democracy, global, and organic: You hear people use them all the time, but no one seems to understand exactly what they mean. This kind of etymological opacity lends itself…

Dear We Are Teachers,I can’t help but notice that the male teachers at my elementary school somehow never have to do the tasks that go “above and beyond” the duty of a teacher. They’re never on the list to volunteer to help out, lead a group activity, or organize (or contribute to) a potluck. They’re…

by TeachThought Staff What is learned helplessness? Definition Learned helplessness is a psychological condition in which a person, after repeated failures or negative experiences, believes they have no control over situations’ outcomes and stops trying to improve or change them. Below is an example of Learned Helplessness in the classroom. Instructor: The biggest fear for…

When students see poetry as a boring unit that’s all about love and feelings, it’s time to shake it up. Poets have always had a sense of humor, and students who appreciate sarcasm, wit, and outright jokes will love these funny poems. Put a few of these poems on the whiteboard or in their poetry…