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mondaysmadeeasy

Canadian Curriculum Designer and Education Blogger

Here’s why teaching plagiarism at the beginning

Here’s why teaching plagiarism at the beginning of the school year will benefit your students:

- Plagiarism is a blanket term, but it’s also likely one you use frequently in your classroom. It can help students to have a crystal clear picture of what you mean by this term.

- By teaching the types of plagiarism, you cut instances of unintentional plagiarism to *almost* none.

- As teachers, we’re not the only ones fed up with plagiarism. Many of students are too. Peer-based learning can discourage academic dishonesty in a powerful way.

Learn more about teaching plagiarism on the blog (🔗 in my bio)

#iteachELA #iteachwriting #plagiarism #plagiarismchecker #highschoolELA #middleschoolELA #highschoolenglishclass #englishlanguagearts

This activity will spark some meaningful discussio

This activity will spark some meaningful discussions in your classroom ✨

Why be the one to teach about the ethical concerns of plagiarism when your students can do it for you?

You can use peer-based learning to set expectations surrounding plagiarism using a 4-corners activity. After students fill out a plagiarism questionnaire that weighs in on their opinions on academic dishonesty, they can share their thoughts with their classmates.

Use this discussion activity as a starting point to co-write a plagiarism policy with your students that outlines the consequences for academic dishonesty in your classroom.

Want the link to this activity? Comment “4 corners” below ☺️

#plagiarism #iteachwriting #teachingplagiarism #iteachELA #teacherideas #highschoolenglishteacher

Hiiii! 👋 It's been a while, so I figured it's

Hiiii! 👋

It's been a while, so I figured it's time for a little reintroduction! I’m Daina, the face behind Mondays Made Easy. My journey began as a high school English teacher in Bangkok, Thailand. After three years of international teaching, I moved home to teach for the public board in Toronto.

It seemed as though no matter who I was teaching – English Language Learners, Advanced Placement English, or neurodivergent teens and adults – I was always faced with the same challenge: I couldn’t find inclusive, age-appropriate resources for older students. This pushed me to create my own and eventually shift my focus from full-time teaching to curriculum development.

Like many of us, the pandemic was a wild ride for me. It forced me to turn this seemingly silly passion project into my “real job” - something I wouldn't have had the courage to do otherwise. Now, three years later, I’m so grateful for that push. I get immense joy from creating the resources I once desperately needed while helping teachers like you fill learning gaps and make learning engaging for older students.

While I miss my students every day, I know I’m making a broader impact by providing teachers with the materials they need to succeed. I'll be back in the classroom someday - but for now, I’m excited to support you this year in navigating learning gaps, teaching literacy, and setting students up for success in our ever-changing world.

My inbox is always open if you need support or just want to chat. Let’s make this year the best one yet ✨

#teachersofinstagram #teachersoftpt #teacherauthor #iteachELA #iteach #highschoolenglishteacher #ontarioteacher #canadianteacher

If you teach older students, the first week of sch

If you teach older students, the first week of school is an important time to collect important student information, discuss plagiarism, and lay groundwork for the year ahead.

Learn more about these first-week activities on the blog (🔗 in bio)

#backtoschool #firstweekactivities #iteachhighschool #teacherideas #classroommanagement #iteachmiddleschool #ontarioteachers #canadianteachers

Don’t stress about curriculum - here’s why: A

Don’t stress about curriculum - here’s why:

Although it might feel productive to tackle academics at the top of the year, it can benefit you to lay some groundwork first. By building a classroom community and establishing routines, you can create an environment that is conducive to learning 👌

To top it off: if you teach high school, a lot can change during those first few days back. You’ll likely have students switch to different classes, and find new faces in your classroom while schedules shift around…

So take advantage of this time by focussing on back-to-school activities like:

🎒 Collecting important information from your students about their learning preferences, their responsibilities, and their needs
🎒 Reaching out to parents and guardians to bridge the gap between the classroom and your students’ homes
🎒 Mapping out your syllabus to let students know what to expect - you can even take some time to note important dates in agendas and class calendars
🎒 Collaborating on classroom policies so that your expectations are crystal clear
🎒 Teaching about the different types of plagiarism to set students up for academic success
🎒 Playing language-based icebreaker games to cultivate community and pave the way for an effective literacy program

Find resources like these for the first-week of school (🔗 in bio) and don’t forget to send this to a new teacher if you know one!

#iteachELA #backtoschool #iteachhighschool #teachertips #firstweekofschool #ontarioteacher #canadianteacher #highschoolenglishteacher

I keep hearing about creative ways that you’re u

I keep hearing about creative ways that you’re using partner pairing cards in your classroom 🫶🏼

I originally created these cards to use as a back to school icebreaker, but quickly realized that they’re a super versatile classroom management tool…

From seating plans to classroom jobs, there are so many ways to use these 👌

Comment MATCHMAKER to grab this resource!

#backtoschool #icebreakers #classroommanagement #teacherhacks #teacherideas #ontarioteacher #canadianteacher #iteachELA #iteachmiddleschool #iteachhighschool

Here’s a classroom management strategy: have stu

Here’s a classroom management strategy: have students “take a number” to maintain a calm and organized work environment 😌 #sponsored

I used the Cricut Explore 3 to put this system together:

I love how the Cricut cutting machine allowed me to easily cut the designs for this classroom management system. I used removable Smart Vinyl and cut the lettering and numbers for the clothespins using my Cricut Explore 3.

Designing and executing this project was simple using Cricut’s software called Design Space. In the app, you can create your own designs or choose from hundreds of images, fonts, and pre-designed projects.

Want the link for this template in Design Space? Comment “take a number” below and I’ll DM it to you! @cricut_ca #cricutcanada #cricutmade

#classroommanagement #backtoschool #classroomdecor #iteach #iteachmiddleschool #iteachhighschool #teacherideas #ontarioteacher #canadianteacher #teachersofinstagram

This back-to-school icebreaker activates students

This back-to-school icebreaker activates students inquiry-based learning skills while giving them the opportunity to work together with their classmates - find me a more perfect game 👌

To play, each student in your class will assume the role of the item or identity you provide them with. This role is kept secret, and the goal of the icebreaker is for each student to communicate to guess who they are and find their matching partner.

This game also includes a DIY headband template ✨

Want the 🔗 for this back-to-school icebreaker? Comment “matchmaker” below!

#icebreaker #backtoschoolideas #teachersoninstagram

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