Katie Budrow

It could even be a list of typical executive functioning skills by age range, as long as the sourcing was sound.

I need some neuroscience help. Anybody have a reliable source for how long a kid can plan ahead by age?

For example, an average 10-year-old can plan ahead by 1-3 days. I found a stat similar to this, but the source wasn’t good.

Thanks in advance!
#neuroscience #adolescentbrain #braindevelopment

Yow, couple of days is a short timeframe. At one point, I was doing a grade a week. Now I’m back to grading at the end of each project (about six weeks).

I still have more kids disengaged than I did six years ago. But there are fewer and fewer that don’t buy in every year.

I feel like we’ve talked about this before (my apologies if so) but could you do a hybrid? There’s a bunch of different ways to do it. I’m partial to weighting formatives lower so they don’t tank the whole grade.

Was it a work completion issue?

Kids are always more than a test score, a grade, or a survey response. Can you use that stuff as evidence? Sure. Just don’t forget the evidence right in front of your face.

People are so much more than just a number on a page.

We had a district PD day last week, and I can’t stop thinking about the stuff I learned in one session. Why? Because it was my fellow teachers presenting, not an educational company.

Teachers inspiring teachers. More of this please.

Also, why does it keep trying to get me to play games? I don’t need a 30 second break. I just opened the app.

I get these moments where I think I should do more on LinkedIn. Then I try.

Then I remember why I don’t do more on LinkedIn.

Cardboard plinko game built by a middle schooler.

There is nothing more fun to watch than a curious kid.

In the middle of physics, and they are all busy designing and building cardboard arcade games to demonstrate Newton’s laws. It’s just so amazing to watch.

a group of men are standing in a hallway with the words `` welcome back '' written on the bottom . Alt: a group of men are standing in a hallway with the words `` welcome back '' written on the bottom .

Hey, would anybody be interested in a Bluesky #sblchat? It would probably have to be a slow chat to start …

We are always teaching.

They are always learning.

Drinking bird toy sips water out of a beaker in a science classroom.

I bought a drinking bird.

We are studying physics, and I thought it was just be a funny cute thing to have on my desk. It turned into a slew of questions and experimentation to figure out how Filipe actually works. We still have way more questions than answers.

Oh, and yes, we named him Filipe.

If leaders are serious about ending war, women need a seat at the table.

Global data, 1989-2011: When women are involved in agreements, peace is 35% more likely to last 15+ years.

Men alone shouldn’t decide the fate of nations. Gender balance is especially vital with high stakes and hot tempers.

Totally. January has infinite days. Or at least way more than 31.

I also didn’t have the heart to remind my sixth grade scientists that tomorrow is also. Still. January.

Exact conversation I had with my sixth graders today. We ended up at the conclusion that January is actually six months and will take no further questions on the topic.

Nearly 5 years after schools closed, the nation gets a new report card There's some good news in math, mostly bad news in reading and lots of questions about why students are still struggling.

"... and the results show, in stark detail, what teachers and researchers have long understood: That poverty and performance are deeply connected."

Making progress against poverty will help education. Big time.

#scienceofed #edusky

a drawing of a dog holding a heart shaped balloon Alt: a drawing of a dog holding a heart shaped balloon and dancing

Me: Wait!

6th graders: They don't love you like I love you. Wait, they don't love you like I love you.

#iteachscience #iykyk #sixthgradersarethebest

Graduated cylinder with a pride flag and a trans flag sits in a middle school science classroom.

Showing off this little bit of student-created art.

Title: Science is for Everyone

a cartoon character with a scarf around his neck is looking at the camera ALT: a cartoon character with a scarf around his neck is looking at the camera

“Mrs. Budrow, your outfit is giving Gru today.”

I mean, she’s not wrong …

Now think about this for teachers. For students. For schools.

Pink leopard print handmade card sits on a teacher desk in a science room. The card reads, “May your coffee be strong and your students be calm!”

First day of 2025 with students is in the books! Even found this little inspiration (gift from a former student) tucked inside a book (thought I had lost it).

For the record, it was, and they were. ☕️ ☺️

If a kid believes in Santa, let them believe in Santa. Mathematicians still believe in imaginary numbers.

Card reads, “Just sharing a little jolly with you!” Underneath, in green marker, a student has written, “Thank you so much for being a amazing teacher! Hope you have fun Cell-berating the holidays!”

Always sweet when students think to bring you something. However, I’m all about the cards.

I’m also all about a good science pun.

Oooh, I like team.

Though team instantly defaults my brain to adults. When including kids in the convo (and we should be including kids in the convo), I’m back to preferring community.

Is a nissefriend like the American Secret Santa? Or more like Elf on the Shelf? I have a collection of nisse (spent time in Norway) but am unfamiliar with the entire term.

God Jul!

I have been saying this for years. I don’t want to work in a family. I want to be part of a community. One that has a common goal and honors each person’s unique contributions.

Moon Cycle Circle GIF Alt: Moon cycle GIF moving rapidly in a perfect circle without an earth or a sun.

Me: Ok scientists, what’s wrong with this picture?

Student: Well, first thing - that’s not a picture, that’s a gif.

Well played.

Yep. Basically, that’s what I did. “If we can’t get work completion to where it needs to be, we will have to go to everything being scored (and averaged). Is that what you actually need?”

Granted, sixth graders are pretty pliable. It was a bit of a bluff, but I would have done it if needed.

They were never fully on board. But there was an improvement. Plus we kept the conversation going, which helped.

I hear ya.

(If you will, imagine my Wisconsin accent coming out along with a good slow head nod).

Have you asked the students what they think of a change? I had a group like that a few years ago. When I offered up an alternative, I got a lot of pushback followed by an increase in engagement.