On the day that we play tug of war, I explain the rules up front, even the day before. Once the kids are out there playing the game, it is hard for them to hear and they aren’t listening. It is always a good idea to explain rules while they are sitting quietly and…

English language learners have always held a special place in my teaching heart. Perhaps it’s because my own grandfather immigrated to the United Stated without knowing a single word of English. Whenever I meet a newly-arrived ELL, I think of my grandfather as a nine-year-old, and try to be the most compassionate teacher possible.

Cooperative learning can be a powerful tool for energizing a classroom, motivating students, and raising achievement. However, it’s not always easy to get kids to work together effectively. After a particularly chaotic lesson, you might even get so frustrated that you’re tempted to give up completely and assign seat work for the rest of the year! If you feel this way, don’t give up just yet…