The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir

Latest Episodes:

What Epic Classroom Really Means Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

You might see the word 'epic' and think BIG, EXCITING, or, FUN. But that's not what I mean when I use that word as it relates to the classroom. It means something much more powerful and significant than just creating enjoyable experiences for students. This is what dive into in episode 38. You're going to like this one.

Creating a Positive & Engaging Classroom Climate Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

Let's talk about creating a classroom climate that helps make students feel safe, secure, and ready to engage in this year.

36: There Are No Perfect Teachers May 25, 2023

Show notes

You don’t have to be perfect to get to know your students and build relationships with them. Perfection isn't required to make your class memorable and even fun. Heck, sometimes it won’t be memorable and fun, and that’s okay.

Students still learn and grow and fail and succeed in my imperfect classes.

35: The Community and Your Classroom May 03, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we explore the critical role of educators in building meaningful connections with parents and community members to support student learning. We discuss the many benefits that come from establishing strong partnerships between schools and families, including increased student engagement, improved academic performance, and greater support for student well-being.

I share some insights and stories on the topic, highlighting strategies and best practices for building and maintaining strong relationships with parents and community members.

34: What's Fun Got to Do With It? Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Kids like to have fun. Grown-ups like to have fun. We all like to have fun.

And it turns out, we often learn better when we're having fun. In the episode, we talk about the impact of adding elements of fun to learning units and the impact it can have on student engagement.

33: The Hardest Part About Teaching Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

I tried everything under the sun to connect with this student. I gave up my lunch hours to work with him on assignments. I let him come in before school and hang out with me, hoping the relationship would build some rapport. I tried calling home a number of times, but always the calls went to voicemail. Heck even for spirit week I wore one of his sweaters to match him in a desperate attempt to build a connection. And yet seemingly, none of it worked. A sample of my thoughts during that time: “What’s wrong with this kid?” “What’s wrong with his parents?” “What’s wrong with me?” In March of that year, Mason moved away, and I have not seen nor heard from him since. I have absolutely no idea whether any of my efforts paid off. I don’t know if he learned any discipline, if he passed high school, or even remembers that English teacher. This is one of the hardest parts about teaching.

32: From Problems to Projects Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Coming up with engaging project and unit ideas takes a little creativity, but it's worth it to give students authentic and purposeful learning experiences. Here are my favorite ways to come up with engaging and meaningful project ideas.

31: Teaching How to Give and Receive Critical Feedback Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

Giving critical feedback can be a very difficult task for anyone, especially students who are working with their peers. It is the job of the teacher to model this process, and show how being critical can be different than being negative.

30: What's the Point of Grades? Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Are grades meant to reflect how much a student has learned; a snapshot of their knowledge and skills at a specific moment in time? Or are they a measure of work ethic and integrity? Is it possible to do both? Let's dive into it.

29: Using Service Learning to Boost Student Engagement Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

What if the primary motivation for learning wasn't grades or pressure from parents or teachers?

Research shows that when students are engaged in service learning, they experience measurable growth in social, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive development. And I think we could all use more student engagement right now. Let's dig into it.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected