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Archives for May 2017

Diffusing a ticking time bomb in email: How to deal with an angry parent

 • Classroom Tips

What do you do when you open your inbox and discover an email from an unhappy parent?

If you’re being blamed or attacked, your defenses likely go up. It’s natural to want to defend yourself, but that only makes the situation worse. You might even send off a quick email that could escalate the situation and lead to involvement from your administrator.

Through the years, I’ve perfected a simple email format that diffuses almost any situation. If you follow a few simple tips, you can resolve parent concerns and even have angry parents thanking you in the end….
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Analysis of reading habits pushes students to challenge themselves more

 • Classroom Tips

Do you have students who only read books in one genre? Or others who read volumes of “holiday” and “just right” books but avoid “challenge” books like the plague?

I realized this quarter that making my 8th grade students aware of their reading shortcomings was the first step toward meaningful change. I only wish I had done it sooner.

As part of a larger planned reading project fourth quarter, I started by giving students a reading reflection sheet. I wanted students to take stock of what they had accomplished this year as readers and look for developing patterns about themselves and their reading habits….
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