Word Shift

Preview & Purchase
Word Shift HERE!

Dear Joy,
I have just finished reading Word Shift and have enjoyed every word of it. It is an authentic and realistic portrayal of what is happening at schools and how as teachers we have the tendency and ease to attach labels to our students and coworkers and then to sit back and expect people to perform according to our assumptions. It's a negative and unfair practice, which produces negativity and mistrust. Thank you for pointing this out in your book in such an honest and clear way. It got me to reflect and change my attitude by double thinking the words I choose to describe those I serve. The least I can do. Thank you again, keep your decent work!!!
~Panagiota Paraskeva, Greece

Something to keep in mind...

The negative labels our students have now may actually become assets for them when they are older. Consider those "outspoken" students in our classes... they'll be able to use this trait for good when they share their ideas with the world!

Even More Resources...

Academics Vs. Behavior - Or are they the same? - Amanda Bradford
Describe What You See or Feel... - Shana Karnes
Don't Ask Kids "Why" When They're Upset - Meghan Walbert
How Microexpressions Can Make Moods Contagious
Verbal Abuse and Anxiety
What Common Educational Terms Need to Go? - ASCD

Resources from Word Shift

If the word is underlined, click for the link!

assume
at-risk - Heather Shaw says it should be "at-promise" students - thanks to Victor Rios!
attention-seeking - try "connection-seeking" (Dr. Jody Carrington)
blame
brainiac - Heather Shaw says "In addition, it may negatively impact those who never get the label."
busy - from Carla Meyrink
but
clip chart
complaint - extra: complaint2
& bonus challenge --> complaint3
compliance
crazy
cynicism
do now - (for warm-up work) try "get pumped" from Sam Mandeville
Donuts with Dads (or Muffins with Moms)
expect - try "believe" from Jenny O'Fee
extra credit 1
extra credit 2
fail
fine
fix
FOMO - Try JOMO
genius
gifted
good job
gossip
grade
grit
guilt
guys - extra: guys2 or try "folks"
have to
his / hers - try "theirs"
homework
ineffective teachers - try "ineffective teaching" suggests LaToya Dixon
in the real world - from Eric Hayes
just
ladies and gentlemen - try "distinguished guests"
lady or man (in the blue shirt) - try "person" (in the blue shirt)
lazy - extra: lazy2
learning loss - try "unfinished learning"
let it go
manage
manage 2
men and women - try "everyone"
messy
negativity
no
non-racist - extra: non-racist2
overwhelmed
people with autism - I learned in the #LeadLAP chat about #WordShift that most adults with autism prefer to be called autistic. They'd like their identity first, because it is not a negative term.
punish
reluctant - Try "selective," as FifthGrade4ever suggests.
rule shark
sarcasm 1
sarcasm 2
shoulda (should've)
steal
substitute teacher - Try "guest teacher" or "relief teacher."
too
yell 1
yell 2 - extra: yell 3
questions 1
questions 2
questions 3
questions 4
Does that make sense? Try "What questions have I created?" shared by Michele Ashton.
"possibility" questions
How are the children?
Who did you help today?

Instead of "What's wrong?" Try - "What's happening for you today?"
Instead of "Do you have any questions?" Try - "What are you wondering?"
Instead of "I'm proud of you," Try - "I admire..." or "I appreciate..."
From Edutopia, 8/12/2021.