What should you be thinking about before you buy a teaching resource online?
You know how it goes.
You’re at home, snuggled up on the couch after a long day at school. You’re supposed to be relaxing and unwinding, but instead you’re thinking about your class. Of course you are. You find yourself searching on your laptop or scrolling on your phone looking for a new writing lesson, or an engaging literacy center, or for ways to help your struggling readers. Phew! I’m tired for you!
Not only are you working as hard as you can in your classroom, you’re also working nights and weekends to make the rest of it run smoothly. It’s tempting to buy that unit where another teacher has done all the work for you. And that free worksheet is just too cute to pass up.
But….really? How do you know what you’re getting will advance your students’ literacy knowledge and skills? How do you know that what’s in your cart is worth the money? Will these downloads really make you a better teacher?
I’m lucky to get to work with teachers around the country who are dedicated to advancing their teaching expertise in order to accelerate their students’ progress. And lately, they tell me…
…they’re over it.
They’re tired of the worksheets. They’re sick of the quick fixes and empty promises. And they’re done with allowing someone else to do their thinking for them. After all, they know their students best, and they’re sure that if they can become the expert reading and writing teachers they want to be then that’s what will serve their students best.
And ya know what? I’m right there with ’em!
I can remember a time when I was the only teacher in my building looking for teaching resources online. (Yes, I’m that old!). It was slim pickins then, but now it’s a whole different story. We’re on teacher resource overload and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down any time soon. So, what’s a tired, overworked, dedicated educator to do?
Well, first of all, you’re at LitCentric.com so you’re already taking a step in the right direction! I’m dedicated to serving teachers to help them develop the mindset, focus, and know-how to thrive in their classrooms. This means that I don’t claim that teaching is simple, tidy, or glamorous. First, because I know it’s not true. Second, because I know you’re smart enough to see through all the hype.
I created a simple resource as a first attempt at helping you cut out the cute and get down to the real teaching and learning that moves mountains and changes lives. So, roll up your sleeves, and download LitCentric’s Resource Criteria (I promise it’s unicorn and llama free!). It’s a simple set of questions you can ask yourself when you’re ready to make a purchase, take a course, or sign up for a freebie. It’s not a big list, and there’s plenty more to think about, but it can help you consider (or reconsider) the resources you rely on in your classroom.
Download it now and share it with your teacher friends. We need each other to stay grounded and get back to the business of teaching our kiddos using research-based, best practices. They’re counting on us!