Mimio Educator

The Curriculum Question

Posted by Kelly Bielefeld on Tue, Jun 11, 2019

A student is sitting down to eat a “meal” of information that has been prepared for them. One teacher offers them a homemade meal as a chef would, with different ingredients pulled together to create the meal. Another teacher produces a quick ready-made meal that has been provided for them (think Hamburger Helper). The student is offered both meals—which will they eat? 

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Topics: curriculum, tips for teachers

The Summer Slide: Teacher Edition

Posted by Kristy Nerstheimer on Wed, Jun 5, 2019

You have no doubt let your parents know about the dreaded summer slide: That time when students can lose progress during the summer months. And I'm sure you have also let them know the importance of practicing those skills over the summer so students can start off the new school year ready and raring to go. 

But what about us teachers? What should we make sure doesn’t take the proverbial slide over the break? And are there some things we should let slide away into the summer abyss?

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Topics: Professional Development for Teachers, Training, tips for teachers

June Tips and Training for Teachers

Posted by Travis Rink on Tue, Jun 4, 2019

As the school year comes to an end, you (and your students!) might be feeling ready to wind down and get summer started. But the year isn’t over just yet! Keep your students engaged and learning until the last day with our collection of themed lesson content for June: 

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Topics: Professional Development for Teachers, tips for teachers

Research Series Part 2: Helping Students Be Successful at Researching

Posted by Kelly Bielefeld on Thu, May 23, 2019
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Topics: tips for teachers

End of Year Deep Thoughts: Why I Love Teaching

Posted by Kristy Nerstheimer on Wed, May 22, 2019

As we count down the final days of school, I always like to stop and reflect. Yes, I am tired and probably looking a little haggard, but I really love my job. And I’m not just saying that because June and July are right around the corner!

Teaching truly is a wonderful profession, and here’s why (in case you need reminding!): 

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Topics: tips for teachers

Numbers and Grades: Finding Meaning From the Scores

Posted by Kelly Bielefeld on Tue, May 21, 2019

Your child comes home from school and on their paper is a single number: 9. Should you punish or reward them? Call the teacher? Call a tutor? 

The answer is pretty obvious: we don’t know. A single number doesn’t really make any sense without having some context. Was it 9 out of 10 or 9 out of 100? Was it a score for points or a score from a rubric? We need more information to know what the number actually means.

The next questions for the teacher and the student are “How does this impact grading?” and “What do the numbers even mean when it comes to the grade?” Again, a number with no context doesn’t mean much. But in order to create meaning from this number, we need to start with what the number actually means once it is turned into a grade. 

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Topics: classroom assessment, tips for teachers

Research Series Part 1: Why Researching Is So Hard for Our Students

Posted by Kelly Bielefeld on Thu, May 16, 2019

Teaching students how to research is more difficult than it has ever been. Common Core standards emphasize research skills, which help to support complex and critical thinking for our students. It’s a good thing to teach, but can be a very hard thing to learn. There are many reasons for this challenge, as well as why it’s getting harder all the time for our kids.

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Topics: tips for teachers

Life Lessons From My Students

Posted by Charli Mullen on Wed, May 15, 2019

Each school year, I spend about two weeks (paid) and two months (unpaid) prepping, planning, and dreaming of the year to come. I attend workshops and professional development, all centered around how to strategically and effectively pour knowledge into the little brains in my care over the coming nine months. It becomes this massive multi-dimensional chess game of student placement, centers, guided teaching, whole-group lessons—the list goes on. What I fail to account for each year is the profound effect my students will have on me and my personal and professional growth.

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Topics: tips for teachers

Spring Webinar Series: Now Available On Demand!

Posted by Travis Rink on Tue, May 14, 2019

This spring, hundreds of educators joined us for our Transforming Learning in the Classroom webinar series. Each of our 45-minute sessions were led by experts and leaders in the field of education and technology, who shared their insights into creating successful learning environments. These presenters work in schools and make an impact every day, and they brought their vast knowledge, expertise, and advice to our series.

We will launch another series in the fall, featuring new topics and speakers to offer their insights into educational trends. If you missed our live spring series or can’t wait until fall to be inspired, don’t worry! You can still be motivated by all of these wonderful educators and innovators by viewing any of our sessions at your convenience.

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Topics: education industry, tips for teachers

My Students, My Teachers!

Posted by Crysta Baier on Thu, May 9, 2019

Just this past week, I asked a fourth-grade student to help another student get caught up on a research project. The two students came to my classroom and sat down at the computer. My helper Kristie sat down next to Robbie and I could instantly see a change. She morphed from student to teacher before my very eyes. As Kristie sat very patiently and kindly working with Robbie, I was amazed—and once again reminded of why I am a teacher. Moments like these, where you see a student using his or her skills, collaborating, and going above and beyond expectations, are the moments we teachers live for. And at this very moment, I was reminded again that I learn at least as much from my students as they learn from me.  

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Topics: tips for teachers

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