#WhatWorksForMe
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maradolan.bsky.social
Listen to records.
Read books.
Go outside.
See friends. #whatworksforme
October 24, 2025 at 10:32 PM
edutopia.org
💯 #WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
What Works For Me! “Something I started doing this year: When I grade papers, I put the grade on the last page of the assessment instead of the top of the first page. My students like the privacy it provides.” —Rebecca Olivares, Teacher
September 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM
edutopia.org
This routine is simple, but it’s game-changing for school culture! 📝

Thanks to educator Kathryn Ashmore for sharing.

#SchoolLeaders #EduSky #WhatWorksForMe
“Our leadership team does this every week—we each pick a staff member and write them a positive note. We’ve done the entire staff twice, and we are on round 3 now. It has been a powerful game changer for the staff and team!” —Kathryn Ashmore, Educator
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
edutopia.org
Have you switched up the way you invite questions from students? What phrases or prompts have worked for you? ⭐

#EdChat #EduSky #WhatWorksForMe
“Two years ago, I was saying ‘Do you have any questions?’ Last year, I switched to ‘What questions do you have?’ It made a difference. Today, I tried ‘Ask me two questions.’ And they did! And those questions led to more questions. It amazes me that the littlest things have such a big impact!” —André Sasser, Math Teacher
April 8, 2025 at 12:12 AM
edutopia.org
Do you have a Happy File? 📂 ✨

#EduChat #EdChat #EduSky #WhatWorksForMe
“Create a Happy File and keep it in your classroom or office for easy access. Save all the sweet notes of encouragement, thank-you notes from parents, and artwork or messages from students. Open this file on the hard days when you need a reminder of why you are an educator. It can lift you up and remind you of your purpose.” —Michelle B, Educator
August 4, 2025 at 11:33 PM
edutopia.org
Have you tried adding a similar question to your assessments? 📝

#EduSky #assessment #WhatWorksForMe
What Works For Me! “I got into the habit of making sure the last question of every assessment is: ‘What else do you know that I didn’t ask you?’ The responses vary, but I love it as another way for students to communicate their comprehension.” —Alicia Tanpreet Johal, Middle School Science Teacher
August 25, 2025 at 11:33 PM
edutopia.org
What’s your favorite back-to-school tradition? 🖍️

#EduSky #EdChat #WhatWorksForMe
What Works For Me! “The day before school starts, we have a Chalk the Walks tradition. Families come and use chalk to write various positive, welcoming statements on the sidewalks for the first day.” —Mike Danford, Elementary Principal
July 21, 2025 at 11:39 PM
edutopia.org
#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
“Let them tell you their stories. Work stories. Pet stories. Homework stories. Relationship stories. Stop and listen. One on one or even in a class of 34, which I’ve had, it’s a game changer. 23 years later, relationships are the most effective tool in my teaching tool box.” —Heather Leise, Teacher
October 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
edutopia.org
Make the mistake! 💯

#EduSky #teachers #WhatWorksForMe
What Works For Me! “My new math mantra (and for life, really) is ‘Make the mistake.’ I call, ‘Who thinks they got it wrong / thinks they need help? Can we share your answer to learn from it?’ I will circulate and tell kids who volunteer: ‘I see you, but you got it right... Hold that for a minute, let’s see if we can fix a mistake instead.’ Kids are taking a lot more risks and getting better in the process.” —Taryn Ballesty, Teacher
June 24, 2025 at 12:14 AM
edutopia.org
What strategies have *you* discovered to boost student productivity? 🚀 ☕

#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky #StudentEngagement
The best thing I implemented in 20 years of teaching 5th graders was “Starbucks” time. For 20-30 minutes, I allowed students to sit wherever they wanted as they worked on one of the task choices on the board. They could also sit in a small group with me to go over homework if they got stuck. On Fridays, I made hot chocolate for them. Their attendance and productivity soared! —Kim Van Wagoner Ilvento, Educator
April 28, 2025 at 11:39 PM
edutopia.org
Do you have a tip for learning students’ names?

#EduSky #WhatWorksForMe
What Works For Me! “I have the kids take a quiz about me. They know nothing about me usually, so it’s just guesses. After we go over answers, I have them create their own 6-question multiple choice quiz about themselves. I take the quizzes that night and pass them back next day. They grade them, turn them back in. Then I hand them back again. I’ve learned names so much faster since I started doing this!” —Erin Ramsey, High School Math Teacher
August 18, 2025 at 11:39 PM
edutopia.org
“The quiet students have as much a voice as the louder ones.”

#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
“I always go around the class during group activities to discuss the task with my quieter students—so many more layers emerge with ideas and discussion. The quiet students have as much a voice as the louder ones.” —Dr. Elizabeth Heck, Educator and Researcher
June 30, 2025 at 11:03 PM
edutopia.org
What are the little things that make a big impact in your classroom?

#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
“Two years ago, I was saying ‘Do you have any questions?’ Last year, I switched to ‘What questions do you have?’ It made a difference. Today, I tried ‘Ask me two questions.’ And they did! And those questions led to more questions. It amazes me that the littlest things have such a big impact!” —André Sasser, Math Teacher
October 20, 2025 at 11:39 PM
edutopia.org
How do you recharge during the day? 🔋

#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
What Works For Me! “I enjoy dimming the lights and eating lunch in the peace and quiet of my classroom. Yes, all alone. I check my personal messages and the headlines. I tidy my desk. And I just prepare myself mentally and physically for the rest of the day. I know it may seem anti-social, but my introverted self needs this little bit of recharging midday.” —Loryn Venekamp, Teacher
October 27, 2025 at 11:33 PM
edutopia.org
#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
What Works For Me! Film yourself teaching and watch it. It’s eye opening to see what your habits are. For example, I start a LOT of sentences with “So…” I also learned a lot about the frequency and type of questions I ask. It truly made me a better teacher. It’s awkward at first, but it’s totally worth it. —Laura Miller, Teacher
November 4, 2025 at 12:33 AM
edutopia.org
Hope Tag how-to guide from @cathleenbeachbd.bsky.social👇

Ask students to look back: What's something you didn't know before that you understand now? Or to look in: How did you overcome a challenge during this learning?

#EduSky #WhatWorksForMe #assessment
What Works For Me! After each assessment, my students leave a Hope Tag: a sentence, sketch, or symbol capturing their growth. It’s added as a comment digitally or Post-it if on paper. Before the next test, we revisit them. It’s not just reflection—it’s proof they’re growing. —Cathleen Beachboard, High School Teacher
September 8, 2025 at 11:33 PM
edutopia.org
#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
What Works For Me! “Instead of asking, ‘Why are you in the hall?’ I now say, ‘Can I walk you back to class?’ It turns out that once a student has been away from class for too long, they’re often afraid to return because they fear getting in trouble. By walking them back, they have an ally and can re-enter the room with more confidence. I even have kids who see me and ask, ‘Will you walk me to my class?’” —Sarah Wysocki, Teacher
June 16, 2025 at 10:41 PM
edutopia.org
Have you tried this at your school? ✏️

#EduSky #WhatWorksForMe
What Works For Me! “As principal, I had Post-It notes available for all the students to jot down positive comments about their fellow students and then place them on the hallway wall. Kids loved it! We also held a morning meeting each day and had a segment in which the students were able to share something positive they had noticed a fellow student do the day before. Great way to start the day!” —Susan Jane Craine Long, Educator
August 11, 2025 at 11:32 PM
edutopia.org
One of many effective 6-7 strategies we saw educators share last week 👇

#WhatWorksForMe #ClassroomManagement #EduSky
What Works For Me! “I use 6-7 as a call and response signal to quiet down in the library. I say 4-5 and the kids say 6-7 and put their voices on silent. Works great; they either love it or think I’m cringe and say it a lot less!” —Amy Schermetzler, School Librarian
September 29, 2025 at 11:33 PM
edutopia.org
Do you have a practice like “Post-its of Praise” in your school or classroom? We’d love to hear how it’s worked for you. 📝

Idea from @drbradjohnson.bsky.social 💡

#EduSky #WhatWorksForMe #SchoolLeaders
“Principals, stock up on Post-it notes for fall! When you visit classrooms, leave a Post-it note on their desk telling them how lucky their students are to have them & share something you learned or enjoyed about the visit. I call them ‘Post-its of Praise.’” —Brad Johnson, Administrator
July 28, 2025 at 10:21 PM
edutopia.org
Have you tried an assignment like this in your class?

#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
What Works For Me! I asked ChatGPT to write an essay on the theme of fear in Macbeth. I gave it to my seniors and told them I’d probably score it a D. Their job was to redeem it. C level added quotes and better syntax. B level had to thoroughly expand. Most chose the ‘A’ option: not look at the ChatGPT essay and write their own. It helped them to see how simplistic the AI is, unless they’re sophisticated in programming it. —Kristen Brewer, Educator
September 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
edutopia.org
What do you do to recharge during the school day? ⚡

#WhatWorksForMe #EduSky #EdChat
What Works For Me! “I enjoy dimming the lights and eating lunch in the peace and quiet of my classroom. Yes, all alone. I check my personal messages and the headlines. I tidy my desk. And I just prepare myself mentally and physically for the rest of the day. I know it may seem anti-social, but my introverted self needs this little bit of recharging midday.” —Loryn Venekamp, Teacher
May 19, 2025 at 10:41 PM
edutopia.org
#WhatWorksForMe #ClassroomManagement #EduSky
What Works For Me! “When I give an instruction, I ask students to repeat it to the classmate closest to them. They can’t start working until both know what they are doing and are ready to start working. This eliminates 90% of hands going up asking ‘What am I supposed to do?’ and creates a community of helping each other.” —Jennie Wilson, Teacher
June 9, 2025 at 11:33 PM
edutopia.org
How do you encourage students to embrace mistakes?

#MathSky #ITeachMath #EduSky #WhatWorksForMe
What Works For Me! “My new math mantra (and for life, really) is ‘Make the mistake.’ I call, ‘Who thinks they got it wrong / thinks they need help? Can we share your answer to learn from it?’ I will circulate and tell kids who volunteer: ‘I see you, but you got it right... Hold that for a minute, let’s see if we can fix a mistake instead.’ Kids are taking a lot more risks and getting better in the process.” —Taryn Ballesty, Teacher
October 14, 2025 at 12:26 AM
edutopia.org
☕ #WhatWorksForMe #EduSky
The best thing I implemented in 20 years of teaching 5th graders was “Starbucks” time. For 20-30 minutes, I allowed students to sit wherever they wanted as they worked on one of the task choices on the board. They could also sit in a small group with me to go over homework if they got stuck. On Fridays, I made hot chocolate for them. Their attendance and productivity soared! —Kim Van Wagoner Ilvento, Educator
September 1, 2025 at 11:33 PM