Pi R Scared

    This summer, I'm doing math activities with children in our area. This is the first activity on Quadrilaterals. This was meant for students in the 4th or 5th grade. This can be adapted to add the angle, diagonal, and markings for middle school or high school students.   Here is the handout 

  This summer as we are preparing for the Final Exam and doing SOL prep, we went over a new way to find regressions using Desmos. If your state uses Desmos and you still have student typing in the regression equations, I recommend giving this a try. 

  This past summer, 2025, I took the steps towards becoming licensed in administration and supervision for PreK-12. There were different routes and degrees to consider along with which college or university to attend.  When are classes offered?  How long is the program? What is the cost?  What does the program look like?  Are you doing the degree or the license add - on to a Master's?   After considering the different options and what was the best fit, I started a program and I'm going to share my experience here. If you have questions or this is something you are considering doing, I'm happy to answer questions. I'm also going to share some books that I have read that have been very helpful and they would be a good read for any teacher. 

  As summer approaches for students, teachers, and families, the question of summer school naturally comes up. This year, I’ve decided to teach summer school, though I haven’t taught it every year. If you're thinking about whether to take on a summer school position, here are a few important things to consider: 1) Do you have the energy for it? Summer school is often fast-paced and can feel more intense than the regular school year. I've taught in programs where students were in the same class all day, and others where each class lasted only 1.5 hours. Either way, the condensed schedule can be demanding and may leave little room for downtime during the day. 2) Do you need—or want—a break? Summer school often begins the Monday or Tuesday after the school year ends and wraps up just a week or two before the new year begins. This tight timeline can leave little opportunity for teachers to rest, travel, or recharge. If you're feeling burnt out by the end of the school year,...

  As summer approaches and students look forward to the break, how do you encourage them to practice a little each day? We talk about the summer slide each year as the summer approaches. For families asking, I'm providing 2 - 3 topics for the student to practice throughout the summer to help when they enter the next grade. The next challenge is how do they practice the math if they aren't sure. This is where websites like Khan Academy can be helpful, as they're a free resource with videos and practice.  Many times, local libraries have summer reading programs to encourage the kids to read throughout the summer as well. You could encourage families to check into their local library programs.  As a secondary math teacher, I also suggest families practice mental math for multiplication 0 - 12. This may seem small, but it helps when we do the grade-level work.  Let me know what you suggest for families.

  As we approach mid-April, the state testing begins for many students and teachers. While this can be a stressful time, many teachers find fun ways to review.  What games or activities do you use in your classroom to prepare and keep review engaging?

    Students return from Spring Break full of energy and excitement, knowing the end of the school year is near. Teachers often spend this time reviewing classroom expectations and reestablishing routines, especially since state testing usually begins within a few weeks. While there’s a push to return to normal, the atmosphere is different, and students often need a way to release that extra energy. A creative teacher I worked with a few years ago had a great idea for this transition period. She used plastic eggs to make the return more engaging. She cut up a worksheet and placed one question inside each egg, then hid them outside. Students went outside with a clipboard and some paper, searching for the eggs. When they found one, they opened it, wrote down the problem number and question, solved it, and then returned the egg to its hiding spot. This continued until each student had solved 10 questions. It was a great way to get students moving while still compl...

       As many schools approach Spring Break or have started Spring Break the level of excitement and energy is building. Spring Break normally marks the start or close to the start of the 4th and final quarter of the school year. Our school hasn't gotten to Spring Break yet so here are some activities or ideas I'm using for this time.  Quizizz Lesson - You can build your notes into a quizizz and after 2 slides of notes, I do some questions they can earn points on.  Increasing student responses - By this I mean, during the lesson itself I am checking with students more frequently through thumbs up/down/middle responses.   Brain Breaks - The students are need more frequent brain breaks.  How does any of this help with focus or material retention?  The students want to win the Quizizz so questions come up more frequently. The students are more likely to write down key information, when I remind them they are going to practice what I said f...

       My students are currently learning about how to make a boxplot or box and whisker plot with and without technology. Desmos is the calculator they are allowed to use and it is fairly user friendly when it comes to making boxplots. Here's a quick video on how to make them. 

  Teaching is a rewarding yet demanding profession, often requiring educators to balance lesson planning, grading, and classroom management while also maintaining their personal well-being. One of the most effective ways teachers can protect their time and energy is by setting clear boundaries between work and personal life. Without boundaries, it’s easy to fall into the trap of working late hours, responding to emails at all times, and feeling constantly on call. Establishing firm but fair limits helps prevent burnout and ensures that teachers can bring their best selves to the classroom. One key boundary teachers can implement is setting "out of office" responses for emails outside of work hours. By clearly communicating when they are available to respond, teachers can manage expectations with students, parents, and colleagues. For example, an automatic response stating, "I will respond to emails during school hours or within 24-48 hours on weekdays," sets a profe...

  The debate over whether students should have homework on the weekends is a long-standing one, with strong arguments on both sides. Supporters of weekend homework argue that it reinforces learning, provides additional practice, and helps students stay engaged with material outside of school hours. They believe that weekends offer a great opportunity for students to complete larger projects, review challenging concepts, and develop strong study habits that will benefit them in high school, college, and beyond. On the other hand, opponents of weekend homework argue that students need time to relax, recharge, and engage in extracurricular activities or family time. Middle school students, in particular, are at an age where social development, hobbies, and unstructured play are just as important as academics. Studies suggest that excessive homework can lead to stress, burnout, and a lack of motivation, potentially diminishing the benefits of additional practice. Many educators and par...

    Social-emotional learning (SEL) is just as important as academic instruction in today’s classrooms. When students learn how to manage emotions, build strong relationships, and develop resilience, they become more engaged and successful learners. SEL helps create a positive classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to take on challenges. Whether through structured lessons, morning check-ins, or modeling emotional intelligence, incorporating SEL into daily routines can have a lasting impact on students' well-being and academic growth. Every school approaches SEL differently—some use formal programs with dedicated curriculum, while others integrate it into existing lessons and activities. How does your school handle social-emotional learning? Are there specific resources, books, or digital tools you’ve found helpful? Share your experiences and favorite SEL strategies in the comments so we can learn from one another and support our students in meanin...

  What have you found the most helpful as spring approaches? 

  Snow may be magical for students, but for teachers, it can throw a wrench into carefully planned lessons. Unexpected snow days disrupt the flow of instruction, causing delays in covering content and shifting assessment timelines. When schools close or students miss days due to weather, teachers must adjust their pacing, often condensing lessons or skipping enrichment activities to stay on track. For subjects that require consistent practice, like math or foreign languages, these interruptions can make it harder for students to retain and build on previous concepts. Even when schools remain open, students may arrive distracted by the excitement of snow, making it challenging to maintain focus in the classroom. Beyond scheduling issues, snow can also create equity challenges in learning. If students are expected to complete online assignments during closures, access to technology and reliable internet may vary, leading to gaps in participation. Additionally, reviewing missed conten...

  One of the most valuable skills students can develop is perseverance—the ability to push through challenges even when things feel difficult. Whether struggling with a tough math problem, a writing assignment, or a new concept, students need to learn that mistakes and setbacks are part of the learning process, not signs of failure. Teachers can foster this mindset by encouraging a growth mindset, praising effort over immediate success, and modeling problem-solving strategies. When students see that persistence leads to progress, they become more confident in their ability to tackle challenges. Creating a classroom culture that values perseverance starts with small, everyday moments. Encouraging students to take a deep breath, break tasks into smaller steps, or try a different approach can help them stay motivated. Sharing stories of famous individuals who overcame obstacles, using positive reinforcement, and allowing students to reflect on past successes can also build resilience....

       One change I've noticed recently is the rules around Valentine's Day. At the MS level it's almost always been students can exchange whenever and class time is not set aside for it. At the elementary level, I've seen many changes. Some schools have decided no exchange will take place or you can only participate if you bring 1 for every one. The move to no food/candy exchanged is no surprise as allergies have increased. At the HS level, I've seen only a few Valentine's exchanged each year and it's normally balloons or flowers. I'm waiting to see if balloons will be banned soon due to latex allergies.  What is your school doing for Valentine's Day?

       Canva’s new poll and quiz features make it easier than ever for teachers to create interactive lessons with instant feedback. These tools can be seamlessly added to slides, allowing educators to engage students in real time. Whether checking for understanding, gathering opinions, or adding a fun review activity, polls and quizzes encourage participation and make lessons more dynamic. With just a few clicks, teachers can insert multiple-choice questions, open-ended polls, or rating scales, keeping students actively involved throughout the lesson.      One of the biggest benefits of these features is the ability to receive instant responses, helping teachers assess student comprehension on the spot. Instead of waiting until the end of class or grading paper quizzes, educators can adjust their teaching in real time based on student answers. Plus, Canva’s visually appealing design options make these interactive elements more engaging and accessible ...

       Reflections is a fascinating concept that allows students to see transformations in both a mathematical and visual way. Instead of just memorizing rules, students can approach reflection problems by thinking about how an image "flips" across a line, much like looking into a mirror. By sketching the original figure and its reflection on graph paper or using digital tools, students can develop a stronger understanding of how each point moves to its new location. This visual approach helps them see patterns and relationships before diving into the calculations.      Mathematically, students can use coordinates to determine the new position of each point after a reflection. By identifying the line of reflection—whether it’s the x-axis, y-axis, or another line—students can apply simple rules to find the transformed shape. Combining both visual intuition and mathematical reasoning allows students to check their work and build confidence in their probl...

       Using a timer during independent coursework is a simple yet powerful strategy to keep students focused and on task. When students know they have a set amount of time to complete a task, they are more likely to stay engaged and work efficiently. Timers create a sense of urgency, helping students manage their time better and avoid distractions. This technique also encourages accountability, as students can track their progress and adjust their pacing to ensure they complete their work within the given time frame.      Additionally, timers help teachers structure classroom activities effectively. Breaking tasks into timed segments, such as “work for 10 minutes, then check your progress,” keeps students from feeling overwhelmed and promotes a productive workflow. It also allows teachers to monitor progress and provide support when needed. Whether using a visual countdown, a digital timer, or even a fun classroom challenge, incorporating timers can c...

  January often feels like the longest month of the school year for teachers. After the holiday break, students return with a mix of excitement and forgetfulness—especially when it comes to classroom expectations. Teachers spend the first few weeks reteaching routines, reinforcing behavior expectations, and helping students regain their academic momentum. This period can feel like a reset button, requiring patience and persistence to rebuild the structure that may have faded over the break. Adding to the challenge, winter weather brings unpredictable snow days, disrupting lesson plans and making it difficult to maintain consistency. Some days, students arrive energized from an unexpected day off, while other times, they struggle to re-engage. On top of it all, many schools wrap up a grading period in January, meaning teachers juggle assessments, report cards, and planning for a fresh start in the next term. With all these factors combined, it’s no wonder January feels endless! But ...