Welcome to the Duck Pond Blog!
Your go-to source for all things education, trauma-informed, leadership, and beyond!
Our experts share some of their favorite tools, strategies, resources, and suggestions.
Summer Learning Fun for K–5 Families!
Teachers, send a link to this post to families who might enjoy a little low-cost, high-fun family learning as the summer weeks stretch out before us.
School's out, but the learning doesn't have to stop! Here are 50 fun, easy, and low-cost summer activities that spark curiosity, creativity, and connection for kids in grades K–5.
Look for the Glimmers
What is a Glimmer Moment?
A "glimmer moment" is a term that refers to small, fleeting experiences or sensations that bring a sense of calm, safety, or joy. These moments are the opposite of "triggers," which are experiences that can evoke negative emotions or stress.
Quick Read, Long Ponder About Accountability
When a teacher tells me they want their kids to take more accountability, more responsibility, the first thing I look for in their classroom is how often the academic conversation is between teacher - students only vs students - students.
When kids talk freely and willingly about academics (not just chit-chat) with one another, they're actually building trust and community in one another.
Back to Basics Through Engaged Education
Kids find their school life boring. Don't believe me? Ask them. Go ahead. Ask a recent graduate to pick out one word that describes her schooling experience. More than likely that word will be boring.
Of course students will remember bright spots that usually surround a special event, their friends, or even memories that have to do with an elective or extracurricular interest.
Personalized Greetings with “Personality-Plus”
It’s a universal “inside joke” that the kid we’d really like to have a break from is the one who is never absent. Like EVER. And while it’s kind of a joke, it’s also kind of true. Those kids can really wear us out. Did I just break some unwritten “teacher code” by saying this out loud? I hope not.
But what if we flipped the script for a moment?
5 Habit-Forming Rituals to Start & Grow Your Trauma-Informed PBL This School Year
Most times when we start down the path of Project Based Learning, we take it slowly, tackling 1-3 projects in our first year. That’s a great idea because it gives us a chance to run a project, reflect, retool, and go again, without overwhelming ourselves or our students. But often, I’m asked by go-getter teachers what should/could be done in those in-between times. They recognize that kids gain skills, knowledge, and general “want-to” attitudes the more we offer great PBL opportunities.