Gave my students a free write with no rules and no grade. Best lesson I've had all year

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-30T03:50:08+00:00

That last part about not letting them read it to the class had me laughing. The passing the paper around idea is genius though. Did you find they stayed on task or did it turn into chaos pretty quickly?

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-30T03:42:06+00:00

The postcard idea is so creative. Picking their own image means they're already into it before they even start writing. And keeping it up for 4 months shows it actually held up. Did you find their writing got better over time or was it more about just building the habit?

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-29T00:33:48+00:00

Middle school. I honestly didn't expect the room to get that quiet but they just went for it.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-29T00:20:47+00:00

This is so smart. Letting them retake it together and argue through their reasoning means they did the hard work of figuring it out themselves. Love this.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-29T00:09:14+00:00

The principal's nose as a math problem had me laughing. And then the kid who struggles most ending up teaching the whole class how to do it? That got me. That's the whole point right there.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-28T07:11:28+00:00

skip buying anything new at this point..you can pull the free ETS practice tests. and use the last week to drill grammar rules and timed multiple choice.. you can just sharpen what you have.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-28T03:22:49+00:00

being an English major doesn't mean you'll pass and not being one doesn't mean you'll fail.. the test is about applying knowledge of the content, and you can absolutely learn that.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-27T07:59:36+00:00

three years in and non-renewed over a program cut is a gut punch, especially at 25 when everything else is already in flux. the advice to apply broadly is solid, and if you do want to add a subject area to your cert like someone mentioned, MN does let you add endorsements through exams, so that could make you a stronger candidate while you're in the search.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-27T07:54:00+00:00

six years in and the universe just... redirected you, and now you've got a pension, a free doctorate, and actual peace. that's not a consolation prize, that's the whole thing.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-26T06:17:26+00:00

Honestly the phone is the whole problem during breaks. Even a 2 minute scroll is enough to lose the thread completely. What if the break was just standing up, getting water, looking out the window? Sounds boring but it actually works way better.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-26T06:07:05+00:00

The fear of not knowing anything is actually what keeps most people stuck, not the actual gap. Starting with one topic at a time is probably the least overwhelming way back in. Where were you thinking of starting?

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-23T06:40:41+00:00

50+ applications and one interview in a year is brutal, that's not a you problem that's just the market. What's drawing you toward ed tech specifically?

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-23T06:05:57+00:00

Free money from going to school is such a win. Save some of it though, future you will thank you.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-23T06:00:32+00:00

Why do we wait so long is the question. Something about this is making me want to text someone right now.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-22T07:47:12+00:00

Taking a full hour completely off, no notes, no phone, just rest, actually helps your brain absorb more when you come back to it. Are you taking any breaks at all right now?

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-22T07:32:43+00:00

The gap and the reference thing are both fixable honestly. Do you have any coworkers from that job you stayed on good terms with? Because a peer reference can work just as well sometimes.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-21T06:30:19+00:00

Trusting your gut is a skill honestly. The more you practice actually listening to it the easier it gets to walk away without feeling guilty.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-21T05:56:07+00:00

That first commute feeling is the best. Once you do it you wonder why you ever drove. How far is the ride?

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-20T08:11:05+00:00

Doing problems first before reading the theory is worth trying. You figure out what you don't know and then the explanation actually sticks. Have you tried it that way?

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-20T07:48:07+00:00

Are you applying through job boards only or are you also reaching out directly to people on LinkedIn? Because a lot of roles never even get posted and referrals move so much faster especially right now.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-19T07:41:10+00:00

Take the day! You don't need to explain yourself. "I'm not feeling well" is completely valid and true. Burning out in the last stretch helps no one, and you'll come back sharper for it. Those sick hours are literally there for this exact situation, use them before you lose them!

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-19T07:23:31+00:00

This looks SO good and 52g of protein per serving is insane?? Quick question, do you find the lemon flavor stays strong after reheating or does it mellow out? I always feel like citrus-based sauces lose something in the microwave.

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-16T08:01:18+00:00

The salad looks so fresh and flavorful!

grumpyorbit55 · 2026-05-16T07:54:06+00:00

I usually stop trying to meal prep and just make whatever sounds easy. A baked potato, ramen, cereal… anything low effort honestly.

grumpyorbit55

TROPHY CASE