Heather McClure
Dot-to-dots are often a great activity for people with dementia, especially in the mild to moderate stages. It is simple, predictable, and has a clear finish line, which is exactly what a lot of our residents need on a restless afternoon. Here’s why they can work so well. What it does for thinking skills Following […]
If you’ve spent time around Conscious Discipline, you’ve heard that adults should notice children instead of just saying “Good job.” But what do you say instead? This guide breaks down the noticing formula and gives you examples you can use right away. What Is Noticing Language? Noticing language describes what a child actually did and […]
The scientific understanding of sensory processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has shifted from viewing atypical reactivity as a secondary symptom to recognizing it as a foundational neurological characteristic that shapes the entire developmental trajectory of the individual. Current research, particularly studies published between 2020 and 2026, indicates that between 90% and 97% of autistic […]
The conceptualization of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has undergone a profound transformation over the last decade, transitioning from a collection of discrete clinical categories to a multidimensional recognition of neurobiological and phenotypic heterogeneity.1 As of 2025, the international scientific and medical consensus characterizes autism not as a singular condition with a linear trajectory, but as […]
I have a secret to tell you. English has a special power—it can make actions come alive! We do this with something called the continuous tense. Think of it as your own personal movie camera. 📽️ Let me show you what I mean. The Two Types of Actions Imagine you are watching your friend Leo. Scenario […]
I’m going to tell you something most teachers won’t. Some teachers are really bad at online teaching. They are trying, but they were trained for classrooms—for moving around, reading body language, walking over to a kid’s desk and crouching down to whisper, “Hey, you with me?” It takes time and personal development to translate that […]
Newbery Award Winners Book Title Author Year Grade Level Age Range New Kid Jerry Craft 2019 Grades 4-7 Ages 9-12 The Undefeated Kwame Alexander 2019 Grades K-5 Ages 5-10 Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Derrick Barnes 2017 Grades K-5 Ages 4-8 Roller Girl Victoria Jamieson 2015 Grades 4-8 Ages 8-12 The Last Stop […]
Let’s talk about getting students’ attention without wearing out your voice! As teachers, we’ve all been there – trying to get 25+ kids to focus without resorting to the dreaded “teacher voice” that leaves us hoarse by lunch. Non-verbal cues are game-changers in the classroom. They help you smoothly redirect attention while keeping that positive […]
Hey there, educators! 👋 I’m excited to share a tool I’ve developed to help manage classroom noise levels in a fun, visual way. Let me walk you through how this noise monitor works. When you first load the page, you’ll see a traffic light-style display. This isn’t just any traffic light—it’s your classroom’s noise level […]
Most noise level monitors for classrooms incentivize noise. IYKYK. This free one incentivizes quiet by playing a YouTube video until the noise level gets too high, then it automatically pauses until students have quieted down again. Then it automatically starts playing again. You can customize the monitor by choosing any YouTube video you want and […]