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Shift This!: How to Implement Gradual Changes for MASSIVE Impact in Your Classroom
Are you ready for a change in your classroom? Do you want your classroom to be more student-led than teacher-driven? Do you want to offer personalized learning that meets the needs of the individuals? Do you want to build a sense of real community in your classroom and in your school? It’s challenging to make big changes, particularly if you attempt to change everything at once. (Just think about all those New Year’s resolutions that revert to status quo by January 5th!) But real change is possible, sustainable, and even easy when it happens little by little. In Shift This! educator and speaker Joy Kirr identifies how to make gradual shifts—in your thinking, teaching, and approach to classroom design—that will have a massive impact in your classroom. You’ll learn how to… Shift learning to make it authentic and student-led. Shift the classroom environment to make it a space in which students thrive. Shift conversations and classwork to get kids thinking rather than repeating. Shift away from homework and grades to keep the focus on learning. Shift the way you spend your time at school so you have more time to enjoy life at home. You can create the kind of classroom you’ve always dreamed of. Make the first shift today!
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2017
47 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 28, 2018
This is an excellent book for mid-career and veteran teachers to consider their perspectives on areas including grades, classroom space, and more. It is good for pre-service and early-career teachers as they begin to find their way in their own classrooms. The book provides clear steps to “shift” our classrooms to make big changes for our students. It also provides reflection guides and additional resources moving forward. Joy’s voice comes through as she shares her own thoughts and experiences.
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October 18, 2025This is my 7th grade son's teacher. He can't say enough good things about her and honestly , whose kid comes home talking about a teacher at this age? He then mentioned she wrote 2 books. Keep doing what you are doing! You are making a real difference in kid's lives Joy!
June 12, 2018
My intention was to participate in a bookclub Twitter chat with other teachers while reading this book, but then life got in the way. Just finished this one as one of my professional reading books for this summer. The biggest take away from my reading is that “change” in your classroom doesn’t have to come in monumental shifts. Changes do not have to take a lot of planning, money or resources to implement. But, if you are planning to make changes, make sure these changes are based wholly on the goal of students becoming life long learners. I loved the easy and quick ideas that transform a group of Ss at the beginning of the year who might be used to “traditional” learning to independent thinkers. Slowly, they begin to take ownership of their learning through student led and centered tasks: fishbowl discussions with back channel talks, edcafes, letting students choose an article to discuss, setting improvement goals as their independent learning just to name a few shifts that can pay big dividends. Some sage, practical ideas in this book. As always, thankful to educators like Joy Kirr who are so willing to be risk takers for the rest of us and to be so open to sharing ideas so that we all get better.
July 4, 2017
My first PD book of the summer. Some takeaways - having a sign out sheet by the door for the students to be in charge of their own bathroom breaks. Changing "homework" to "independent practice" since that really is what I'm asking them to do. Asking kids to tweet or create classroom videos about what we're doing to add to our website. Communicate more consistently with parents and posting links on my website. Consider how to change the classroom environment occasionally - floor seating? Continue making changes to Genius hour and communicating purpose with co-workers, admin, parents and students. Also, reinforcing need for reflection with students - communicate purpose behind it. Post all Teks at beginning of year?
June 18, 2017
Shift This! was the perfect first professional development book for summer 2017. I learned about it through Twitter.
My favorite chapters were chapters 3 and 7. Chapter 3 made me continue to pinpoint what areas of my class I wanted to improve in the fall. I liked chapter 7 because grading was one of the topics I wanted to reconsider.
I deeply appreciated the "Further Reading" resources at the end of each chapter.
Highly recommend for teachers of all levels.
My favorite chapters were chapters 3 and 7. Chapter 3 made me continue to pinpoint what areas of my class I wanted to improve in the fall. I liked chapter 7 because grading was one of the topics I wanted to reconsider.
I deeply appreciated the "Further Reading" resources at the end of each chapter.
Highly recommend for teachers of all levels.
October 7, 2017
If I were to summarize this book in one sentence: put the students’ best interest first.
Kirr spends time talking about the major shifts she has made in her classroom, all starting from very small changes. Each change shifted her classroom culture, which caused her to implement another… and another.
I appreciate she’s actually speaking from experience and not merely from something theoretical.
There’s no doubt education is going through a transformation. Between the disruption of technology, unlimited access to information and the automation of our cognitive jobs (“white collar” work), our bell-style “sage on a stage” education has to change.
Kirr understands this and the shifts she makes in her classroom are a reflection of it.
There are a few chapters I highlighted and noted to death (especially the chapter on grading – my goodness that chapter is solid gold) and there were a few sections I personally wouldn’t use. Twitter, for instance, is something she strongly advocates educators use to chat with others.
I closed my Twitter account months ago for many reasons (even after having a solid following), but the biggest one is its ability to take away my focus. I would rather be creating content and reading deeply, rather than curating small bytes of information that would require me to do the deep work anyway. This is just a personal stance.
What I loved, and don’t see very often in books about educational practices, is Kirr does not back away from the struggles to make this type of classroom work. She does not present her class as some kind of utopia for implementing her changes.
She speaks about the struggles with getting the students on board, her colleagues and the parents.
I have already begun shifting my classroom before reading this book, but now I’m ready to make some bigger leaps.
Kirr spends time talking about the major shifts she has made in her classroom, all starting from very small changes. Each change shifted her classroom culture, which caused her to implement another… and another.
I appreciate she’s actually speaking from experience and not merely from something theoretical.
There’s no doubt education is going through a transformation. Between the disruption of technology, unlimited access to information and the automation of our cognitive jobs (“white collar” work), our bell-style “sage on a stage” education has to change.
Kirr understands this and the shifts she makes in her classroom are a reflection of it.
There are a few chapters I highlighted and noted to death (especially the chapter on grading – my goodness that chapter is solid gold) and there were a few sections I personally wouldn’t use. Twitter, for instance, is something she strongly advocates educators use to chat with others.
I closed my Twitter account months ago for many reasons (even after having a solid following), but the biggest one is its ability to take away my focus. I would rather be creating content and reading deeply, rather than curating small bytes of information that would require me to do the deep work anyway. This is just a personal stance.
What I loved, and don’t see very often in books about educational practices, is Kirr does not back away from the struggles to make this type of classroom work. She does not present her class as some kind of utopia for implementing her changes.
She speaks about the struggles with getting the students on board, her colleagues and the parents.
I have already begun shifting my classroom before reading this book, but now I’m ready to make some bigger leaps.
May 25, 2018
Love! Love! Love! Joy Kirr is full of great ideas and she has practical ideas for change in your thinking, your teaching, your way of sharing ideas with others!
January 2, 2018
This is clearly a book written by a teacher for teachers which makes it very practical, useful, and non-extraneous. A lot of books written for the education field are undertaken by researchers or former educators who have been out of the classroom for a good period of time, and though those contributions are essential and useful, there is nothing quite like the perspective of someone going through the realities of the very human endeavor of teaching. One of the most common questions I hear teachers ask when they attend conferences or read about professional development is, "Great, but how do I actually do this in my class?" This is the type of book that gets right to that question, making this a useful book for pedagogy as well as the reminder to reflect, reflect, reflect. Kirr's passion for teaching is evident in each page and is a reminder of the heart of why so many teachers chose the profession in the first place.
August 11, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It struck home on many levels. I've been trying to tweak my teaching to make it more meaningful for the kids. I was excited to see some of my ideas listed, and was intrigued by new ideas. I appreciated Joy Kirr's honesty in describing what worked, what didn't worked, what changed, how she grew her PLN, and her optimism and realism. I look forward to exploring the many links and suggestions for further exploration!
July 7, 2017
One of the best educational books I've read this year. I love the idea of "shifts". There's something in each chapter for everyone, from the beginning teacher to the teacher who has already made a lot of innovative changes. Very well done. My professional reading blog post on this book:
https//sites.google.com/s/0B9d54bjTSIRbaFVQT...
https//sites.google.com/s/0B9d54bjTSIRbaFVQT...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2017
This book does a nice job of sharing a teacher's personal journey in making changes in her classroom environment and instruction. These moves or "shifts" where done because she they were the best things for the students who she served. The author shares suggestions for teachers who are considering making similar shifts.
July 30, 2017
If you are an educator... you must read this book. It's been a long time since a book has changed me. Captured me. I have fallen in love with the content of this book. Joy writes in a fashion that just captures you. You laugh. You talk out loud. You reflect. To read more please visit my blog. Leighanneteaches.blogspot.com
October 8, 2017
This book aligns with a lot of my beliefs about student learning. We simply must change the way we teach students today to better prepare them for their futures. Joy Kirr shares her journey toward creating a student centered classroom. She includes some terrific links to resources and ideas about how to get started in big or small ways.
April 29, 2018
Joy is so practical in this book that helps us transform our classrooms into a place that is student-centered. I read this book months ago and it has stuck with me in all of my teaching, especially keeping in mind the small moves that make a big difference for learners. Joy brings joyful teaching back!
July 31, 2017
A must read for all teachers
I have been following Joy on Twitter the past 2 years, and I have been making shifts in my classroom without knowing it. This is an easy read with ideas teachers can take and implement now.
I have been following Joy on Twitter the past 2 years, and I have been making shifts in my classroom without knowing it. This is an easy read with ideas teachers can take and implement now.
August 9, 2017
Kirr's book is well-written and shows the journey of her teaching career and how her teaching techniques/thoughts have "shifted." She includes great ideas that teachers can implement right away. This would be a great gift for a new teacher.
December 30, 2017
Great read for new and experienced teachers. Lots of great ways to improve your practice and full of things you can implement to make your classroom amazing. Best message: start small and just keep tweaking!
January 1, 2018
I really love the suggestions offered in this book and the honesty with which Joy presents these real classroom ideas. If you are looking to make small changes that have a big impact, pick up this book.
July 17, 2017
Lots of good ideas for steps to take in changing and even transforming the classroom. Joy Kirr mentions #20Time several times in the book, along with many other powerful tips and strategies.
July 28, 2017
So many great ideas! Joy Kurt offers ideas and strategies on how educators can make gradual shifts in thinking, teaching and classroom design.
September 2, 2017
Extremely practical tips for how to make small shifts in your teaching that lead to the big changes we want to create.
July 10, 2018
It's all abuzz on Twitter. Do yourself a favour and read the very insightful views of Joy Kirr
July 29, 2019
I liked this book; I really did, but I felt like Joy was waving pom poms in my face cheering me along as I read. So many exclamation points! I appreciate the enthusiasm; maybe I was just feeling cranky when I read it.
Much of what is in here is not new for me, but it will probably be new for some. That's not me bragging about knowing so much; it's a nod to all of the books I've read the past few years and the professional development I've participated in along with many conversations with my colleagues.
Joy's shifts include language and mindset (our classroom vs. my classroom type of things), grading practices, homework practices, and using higher level questioning with students along with teaching them to generate their own questions. Joy does not belabor any point; rather she provides an overview of these topics. There are plenty of authors who focus on just one of these shifts; Rothstein's Make Just One Change about questions is one example. Joy provides further reading suggestions at the end of each chapter and peppers the book with links to more resources. She also provides reflection opportunities and opportunities to create action steps on what the reader has learned.
The book is highly readable, a very fast read, and the format/organization works well.
Much of what is in here is not new for me, but it will probably be new for some. That's not me bragging about knowing so much; it's a nod to all of the books I've read the past few years and the professional development I've participated in along with many conversations with my colleagues.
Joy's shifts include language and mindset (our classroom vs. my classroom type of things), grading practices, homework practices, and using higher level questioning with students along with teaching them to generate their own questions. Joy does not belabor any point; rather she provides an overview of these topics. There are plenty of authors who focus on just one of these shifts; Rothstein's Make Just One Change about questions is one example. Joy provides further reading suggestions at the end of each chapter and peppers the book with links to more resources. She also provides reflection opportunities and opportunities to create action steps on what the reader has learned.
The book is highly readable, a very fast read, and the format/organization works well.
March 26, 2018
I skimmed a lot of this book. It’s just like many other books published by this company, and a lot of the ideas are stale at best. There were great questions in the first chapter such as “Do your students not listen when you teach?” that never got a “shift” to show me how to fix them. It was just ten chapters of “do ______ trendy thing (flexible seating/ flipped classroom / gameified classroom)!!!!”, none of which is an easy shift or helpful for my handful of students that don’t pay attention.
There was also an entire chapter on homework, which I skipped entirely. Research shows homework is worthless. A lot of the other content was stuff I have no control over (what to grade, communication, etc), so it wasn’t helpful. Finally, this book said it would make my life easier by shifting a few small things, but every chapter just introduced more things for me to do, all of which were time consuming (and most of which I already do). This just wasn’t for me, but YMMV.
There was also an entire chapter on homework, which I skipped entirely. Research shows homework is worthless. A lot of the other content was stuff I have no control over (what to grade, communication, etc), so it wasn’t helpful. Finally, this book said it would make my life easier by shifting a few small things, but every chapter just introduced more things for me to do, all of which were time consuming (and most of which I already do). This just wasn’t for me, but YMMV.
September 15, 2019
“Sometimes you need to change in order to love your work again. Letting go of the control over every tiny detail has let my students grow right before my very eyes. When my students leave my care, my hope is that they will have a thirst for lifelong learning” (174).
The last few sentences of Mrs. Kirr’s work have me feeling like she knew what I was fearful of with this new school year, but it was what I needed because I share the exact same sentiments as her.
All together, this was a nice read that encouraged and reinforced the spirit needed to continue focusing my efforts to a student-centered learning environment. I thought there would be more research included in it, so if one is looking for a book where studies are used to support findings, this is not one for that. Mrs. Kirr does a nice job with wording and providing several opportunities for reflection throughout the work.
The last few sentences of Mrs. Kirr’s work have me feeling like she knew what I was fearful of with this new school year, but it was what I needed because I share the exact same sentiments as her.
All together, this was a nice read that encouraged and reinforced the spirit needed to continue focusing my efforts to a student-centered learning environment. I thought there would be more research included in it, so if one is looking for a book where studies are used to support findings, this is not one for that. Mrs. Kirr does a nice job with wording and providing several opportunities for reflection throughout the work.
July 12, 2017
I think this is probably a fantastic resource for anyone teaching elementary or middle school, but for me the strategies mentioned are ones I am already using at the high school level or they just seem inappropriate for high schoolers. For example, one idea is to allow students to decorate the classroom-- can we all just take a moment and imagine what would happen if I allowed my snarky seniors to do this in my English class? Others may find this resource much more helpful, especially with younger students.
May 12, 2017
Of course I think it deserves 5/5 stars! I've read it five times in order to keep editing it! Hopefully the reasons WHY will lead your way when you decide what changes you feel you need to make to your teaching. When YOU get to choose change, it's much easier, and will generate buy-in with your students and their parents. Let me know when/if you have questions! The website is here: shiftthis.weebly.com
September 19, 2023
Some good tips but mostly stuff I've already heard before and even implemented.
If you want better grading practices, read Grading for Equity by Feldman, which she references in an entire chapter in this book.
If you want better grading practices, read Grading for Equity by Feldman, which she references in an entire chapter in this book.
August 12, 2018
Excellent book with loads of suggestions and resources from an authentic teacher.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews