Idea Galaxy

Adventures in Junior High and Mathematics

teacher tips

4 (More) Books for Math Teachers

by

I love reading books and I’ve always been more of a nonfiction book person than a fiction reader. As a math teacher I particularly love getting new ideas for teaching math. If you’re looking for some fresh ideas and strategies that you can use in your classroom, then these books for math teachers will be right for you.

In this post we’ll be diving into each book, breaking down exactly what to expect in each book. No matter where you are in your math teaching journey, you’re sure to find something that will help and inspire you as a math teacher.

[Read more…] about 4 (More) Books for Math Teachers

Finding Time for Reflection as a Busy Teacher

by

One of the most powerful things you can do as a teacher is spend time reflecting on how things are going in the classroom. Reflection give you a chance to identify things that are working well and replicate their success. Reflection also gives you time and space to honestly appraise what isn’t working well, and identify potential ways to address any problems. But, the problem with reflection is that it’s hard to carve out time for it- papers demand to be graded, emails clamor for our attention, and just about everything else becomes more urgent than finding a quiet time and space to stop the presses and just reflect. [Read more…] about Finding Time for Reflection as a Busy Teacher

5 Other Ways to Use Foldables in Your Math Classroom

by

Foldable graphic organizers are the heart of interactive math notebooks. They’re great tools to have students organize new information and keep it accessible for future reference. But once the lesson is completed and the notes are neatly placed into the notebook, what happens next?5 Ways to Use Foldables in Math Class- at ideagalaxyteacher.com

Here are 5 (other) ways to use foldables in your math classroom:

[Read more…] about 5 Other Ways to Use Foldables in Your Math Classroom

One Simple Law Teachers Must Learn for Work Life Balance

by

My first 10 years as a teacher, I worked crazy hours. During my first school year I would routinely start the day in my classroom at 6:30 and not leave until 6:00 at night, sometimes even later. And holidays and weekends- yep, back in the classroom. I was surrounded by other workaholic teachers who wore their excessive hours as a badge of honor, and I felt like it was just part of the job, an expectation if I wanted to be a good and effective educator. It’s been a journey from that point to one with improved work life balance, and one simple law first coined in 1955 by Cyril Parkinson in an essay published in the Economist has been super helpful in getting even better!

A simple law that teachers must know to improve their work life balance. How can you keep teaching from taking over your whole life? Ask Mr. Parkinson.

[Read more…] about One Simple Law Teachers Must Learn for Work Life Balance