TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) Students often disengage when systems allow them to opt out of learning without consequence. In this post, Chad Ostrowski explores how traditional instructional structures can create hidden “escape routes” and offers practical strategies to increase accountability, promote reflection, and foster true mastery. By removing opportunities to avoid effort, teachers can build classrooms where perseverance and … Read More
5 Transformations That Revitalized My Teaching Career
Teaching is a journey filled with highs and lows. There was a time when I felt my passion for education waning, and my classroom management was slipping. It was a challenging period, and I even considered quitting. I realized that to reignite my enthusiasm and enhance my students’ learning experiences, I needed to make some significant changes. Making changes is … Read More
How Aligned Content Can Boost Student Success
Education is like a complex puzzle, and one of the most important pieces is ensuring that what students learn in the classroom actually aligns with the goals and standards set by schools, districts, and states. This is where aligning our content comes into play. When I say “aligning content” what I mean is creating consistency between curriculum objectives, teaching strategies, … Read More
Food for Thought: Shrimp Scampi and Standards-Based Grading
TL;DR: Standards-based grading is like shrimp scampi: great when done right, frustrating when done poorly. It is essential to understand what stands-based grading is if we are going to use it to make a difference. Insist on quality professional learning and ongoing support to make sure SBG is implemented with integrity. One of my wife’s favourite dishes to order whenever … Read More
AI 101: Tips and Tools for Teachers
TL;DR: This post explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. AI tools that can be used in education include MagicSchool, Diffit, Eduaide, SchoolAI, and Brisk Teaching. Some features of AI that can be used in education are email assistance, curated educational content, gamification, AI “assistants,” and reading level adjustments. AI in Education Over the past year, we have … Read More