@mralexclass
With nine years of classroom experience, I help teachers simplify their workload, integrate hands-on and multimedia activities, and build classroom systems that engage students and make teaching more manageable.
Make group work productive.
Quick Formative Assessments That Actually Work - Classroom Tip
Making Middle School Math Visual - Classroom Tip
Best way to build class community fast? Try quick class meetings or daily shout-outs. Sharing, teamwork, and a little fun help everyone feel included—fast!
Quick class move tip: Try “Freeze Dance” or “Speed Ball” between lessons, rotate to different stations, or stand while reading. Fast movement keeps class fun and focused!
Using templates takes so much pressure off Special Education and ELL students. Clear models, repeatable structures, and visual cues help them focus on the actual learning instead of guessing what the assignment even wants. Tiny shift for us, huge clarity boost for them.
The weekly planning system that changed everything in my classroom wasn’t fancy. It was simple, predictable, and finally stopped me from drowning in prep. Teachers don’t need more chaos. We need systems that actually work.
Simple routines and visual reminders reduce repeated directions, speed up transitions, and boost student independence. Set clear workflows, use turn-in stations, and let kids handle predictable tasks. Work smarter, not harder.
Middle schoolers working independently feels like a myth, but it’s actually just structure in disguise.
Clear directions, visual cues, and predictable routines turn “What do we do?” into “I got this.” Teach the process, not just the task, and watch kids handle work without you narrating every step.
Warm-ups shouldn’t be time-fillers. When they’re connected to the day’s goal, predictable, and actually meaningful, they take a class from chaotic to calm in minutes. Build routines that help students land, focus, and think. It changes everything.
Stop losing teaching time to chaos. These 5 quick behavior resets refocus a middle school class in under 3 minutes—no yelling required. Full guide 👉 mralexander.org/quick-behavi...
Many middle schoolers still struggle to decode and comprehend. Try these 5 fast, research-backed routines that rebuild reading skills without killing your lesson flow. 👉 mralexander.org/5-fast-routi...
Which number doesn’t belong? Let your students argue it out.
My first try failed, so I’m trying again. Please share and/or donate if you can. Thank you.
www.donorschoose.org/project/help...
Estimation builds intuition.
Make math relevant every day.
Curiosity before content.
I have 8 days left to fund my project. All donations are being doubled today. Anything helps, thank you. www.donorschoose.org/project/let-...
Teachers—need a spark for your next project?
My 7th graders are making podcasts, videos, and more in The Media Lab.
Steal an idea or two for your class 👇
mralexander.org/the-media-la...
Want to boost student engagement? I’ve rounded up the tech tools I use to make lessons interactive, creative, and fun. These are the same tools that get my students excited to learn and ready to share their ideas. Take a look and see what could work in your classroom: mralexander.org/technology-t...
Best grading snack? Coffee, chocolate, or something healthy?
9 years in, I’ve learned this: The less you stress about what’s out of your hands, the better you teach.
Teaching tip: Control what you can. Release what you can’t. Your classroom is where you make the biggest impact.
Donations are currently being matched! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please like, share, or donate. Thank you! www.donorschoose.org/project/let-...
One piece of advice you’d give to your past self before your first year teaching?
What’s the one school supply you always run out of first?
What’s the first piece of advice you’d give to a new teacher?
Teacher challenge:
Share your best low-prep activity for a tired Friday. Bonus points if it works for any subject.
Teacher tip: Record short video instructions for activities so you can help students one-on-one while the rest get started.
Full guide here 👉
What’s your #1 classroom time-saver?
The thing you’d keep doing even if everything else changed.