Category: Techniques

Appreciating What, Where and How Boys Read [Infographic]

Unfortunately for many boys, what gets in their way of reading for pleasure are very well-intentioned adults who try to steer them in the “right” direction. That’s why the greatest gift we can give boys this […]

Is The Next John Glenn or Neil Armstrong Sitting In Your Class? Encouraging The Next Generation Of Space Explorers

Within all of us, there lies a desire to explore. It can be as simple as trying a new cuisine or as complicated as diving into the depths of an ocean to see the vibrant colors […]

Fading or Thriving In Sport? The Mental Approach That Shapes Healthy & Happy Champions Of Tomorrow

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in visits to my office by parents with young athletes between 11–13 years of age. At first, this seemed like a positive movement, perhaps motivated by […]

Developing A Conceptual Understanding of Maths with GeoGebra

Teaching for conceptual understanding is one of the strong themes running through many articles on this site. There is a world of difference between students being able to “do mathematics” and students understanding the mathematics they […]

The Word of the Day Podcast—A New Way to Inspire Language Learners

To expand on a popular saying: Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll pass a fishing test and then forget how because he wasn’t all […]

Recess Rules!! And Why Kids Need MORE of It!

“For generations, recess has been considered by many students in elementary school as their favorite part of the day.” Recess is a cornerstone of childhood. For many children, it’s a breath of fresh air, an opportunity […]

Teaching the Power of Adaptability: How to be more like the Rubber Band and less like the Twist Tie

It was a weekday night much like any other in my house. Pick up the kids, arrange them at the dining room table to work on homework while I try and cobble together something for dinner […]

The 6 Reading-Habit Initiator Personalities (Hint: Only 1 Transforms Boys into Readers)

There was a time early in my 20+ year teaching career when I didn’t plan ahead or think about what aliterate preteen/early teen boys needed from me to become self-directed readers. I truly believed that if […]

How to Dissuade Your Child from Bad Habits

Kids develop many different coping mechanisms to help them deal with feelings such as boredom, fatigue, and anxiety. There are as many reasons for these habits as there are habits themselves. For example, some children develop […]

How to Create P.E.A.C.E. When Your Child Tantrums and You get Triggered…

As a conscious parent coach, I have worked with many families who find themselves “at battle” with their children. Whether it is not listening to what is being asked of them and throwing tantrums around not […]

Why Early Childhood Educators Shouldn’t Avoid Leadership Roles

When I was in the fifth grade I became the student council president at my elementary school. I had my campaign speech, with various promises for improving our student council and bettering the lives of our student […]

Recalibrating the Perfectionist Mind

In my work, I see talented athletes, performers, and students alike who convey the hallmark qualities of a perfectionist, which unfortunately can be the most dominant factor in sabotaging their potential. It is important to be […]

The Innovator’s Mindset—A Blockbuster Lesson from George Couros

Let me begin by making three confessions: 1. I think this is a very clever title … read on to find out why. 2. I thought this review would never be written; indeed, I’ve taken nearly […]

The Box, The Big Book of Nothing and it’s Magic Effect

At first, I pay no attention to the box. Paying no attention is key in gaining the attention of everyone else. Kids point. They question. I shrug them off. We do our usual morning routine. Kids […]

Progress Tests… Are They Reliable?

I recently had a small administrative problem with an institution I sometimes teach for, that ultimately made me realize for the first time why I feel uncomfortable with the term “Progress Test”. For some time now, […]

The Carrot and The Stick: Are American Schools Actually Teaching Us?

When I was seven-years-old we moved from the United States to Switzerland because of my father’s job. I was born in Brazil, but having left it just two years old, I didn’t really know anything other […]

Acquisition and the Teacher

What is the teacher’s role in an acquisition-oriented learning model? Student Centred Learning is the goal du jour amongst teachers—especially those in the EFL/ESL world. Textbooks all focus on it, seminars are dedicated to it and […]

A Grammar Lesson They’ll Actually Love

English teachers have the unfortunate reputation of being monotone and boring. Most students dread the thought of session after session focused on grammar. Long papers facing the scrutiny of their instructor seem to be a daunting punishment. […]

Discipline Outdoes Talent—Here’s How

F. One simple letter. The grade we never want to have to give. Are some students simply doomed to low marks forever? Can their brains only struggle to deliver D-level work? Why do some students sail […]

My Christmas Tale: from Sense of Dread to Humbled Holiday Spirit

I’m a covert Scrooge. I’ve got humbug, much like ice water, running through my veins. I say ‘covert’ because as a father and one-time elementary school teacher, I appreciate that my own misgivings about the holiday […]