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​         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 

More resources or word choices from readers...

I'm ready for your suggestions and ideas! ~Joy

    Let me know YOUR word shifts!

From the NYT: What to Do When You've Said the Wrong Thing...

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!

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
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
have to
homework
ineffective teachers - try "ineffective teaching" suggests LaToya Dixon
just
lazy - extra: ​lazy2
let it go
manage
manage 2
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)
​special education
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?

Even More Resources...