The Creative Classroom with John Spencer

In this latest article, we explore how to improve collaboration in distance learning by empowering students to own the collaborative process. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click on the audio... The post Improving Student Collaboration in Remote and Hybrid Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. When we think of professional development, it’s easy to think of skills you might acquire, concepts you might learn, or ideas you might explore. However, professional development is bigger than this: Subscribe... The post The World Needs Your Voice appeared first on John Spencer.

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. Teaching is an exhausting gig and when teachers take the time to rest during the summer, they able to find a place of renewal and restoration. Research has demonstrated that rest is... The post Making Rest a Priority in the Summer appeared first on John Spencer.

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. I love the concept of “Pajama PD.” It’s the idea that you can engage in deep professional learning without having to dress up nicer or go anywhere. Don’t get me wrong. I... The post Pajama PD: Taking an Anytime / Anywhere Approach to Professional Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. According to a Pew Research poll, over a quarter of the U.S. adult population said they hadn’t read a book within the last year, whether that was in audiobook, ebook, or physical... The post How to Read 50 Books in a Year (Even When You’re Busy) appeared first on John Spencer.

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. Genius Hour (or 20% Time) projects begin with a simple idea: give students a dedicated period of time to pursue their passions, interests, and questions in a creative way. Made famous by... The post Teachers Need a Genius Hour, Too appeared first on John Spencer.

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. In this series, we explore what it means to own your professional learning. This article focuses on mastermind groups. These groups are self-initiated and democratic. Members meet together to provide accountability, structure,... The post Why Every Teacher Needs a Mastermind Group appeared first on John Spencer.

This is my latest article in a series on owning your professional learning. This is the second in a series on owning your professional learning. Book clubs can be a powerful way to learn new skills, find new ideas, and experience paradigm shifts. Book studies... The post How to Use Book Clubs for Deeper Professional Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

This is the first in a summer series on owning your professional learning. I created a sketch video as a preview. If you enjoy the video, would you click the “like” button and consider subscribing to my channel? Right now, teachers all over the world... The post 16 Ways to Own Your Professional Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

I have written and re-written this email several times, realizing how much I still need to learn in this journey. My heart is broken right now and I am at a loss on what to say. I am aware of my place of privilege and... The post Making Anti-Racism a Priority (Lessons from My Former Principal) appeared first on John Spencer.

Last week, I created the following goofy video as a reminder about the differences between teaching in-person and teaching from home: While this video is a little goofy, it points to a reality that teaching from home is vastly different from teaching in a physical... The post Seven Teacher-Tested Ways to Find Renewal During Distance Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

Genius Hour (or 20% Time) projects begin with a simple idea: give students a dedicated period of time to pursue their passions, interests, and questions in a creative way. In this blog post and podcast, we explore the benefits of doing Genius Hour projects. This... The post Seven Reasons to Pilot Genius Hour Projects appeared first on John Spencer.

I have three kids ranging from older elementary to high school. Each one of them is handling distance learning differently. My daughter, who is also the youngest, initially felt overwhelmed at the list of assignments that popped up each Monday and the scheduled meetings twice... The post 4 Ways to Craft Choice Menus in Distance Learning Classes appeared first on John Spencer.

Student engagement can be a real challenge in this sudden shift toward distance learning. But one way to improve engagement is by empowering students. In this article, we explore how to improve equity and access and how to shift toward student ownership. Listen to the... The post Empowering Students in Distance Learning Environments appeared first on John Spencer.

I have a friend who is a phenomenal teacher. She has been making a positive impact on middle schoolers’ lives for 20 years. I used to go into her classroom during my prep period and take detailed notes so I could refine my class. She... The post 5 Ways to Boost Attendance in Virtual Class Meetings appeared first on John Spencer.