TL;DR: Universal Design for Learning helps educators engage students and accommodate different learning styles, interests, and needs. Technology can be used to enhance students’ experiences in your classroom and reach all learners. Reflect on your practices and see what you can do to provide multiple ways to engage, represent, and provide a means for action and expression for your students. … Read More
Follow the Signs
TL;DR: Follow the signs our students give us. We must teach the students we have in front of us, not the students we wish we had. Successful teaching requires us to know not only where are our students are and where we want them to go, but also to know where we are and how we are going to get … Read More
Kids Can Be Sociolinguists, Too!
TL;DR: A little metalinguistic awareness can go a long way towards creating a safe space for bilingual children in the classroom. Sociolinguistic awareness, coupled with the gumption to tackle these issues with children, will go a long way towards the larger enterprise of designing pedagogy that is culturally (and linguistically) focused. Consider designing curricula that builds sociolinguistic awareness. This post … Read More
Reconsider Your Expectations
TL;DR: Believing in students and setting high expectations for them can help them be successful. Find ways to get your students interested. Make sure the lessons and activities you are teaching are relevant. Know what your end goal is and makes sure it is clear to your students, too. Provide opportunities for your students to reflect on their own work. … Read More
ISJ and ISNB Introduction
TL;DR: Science is a messy process that leads to understanding. Students need to learn and appreciate the messy process in addition to the end result. Interactive science journals (ISJ) and interactive science notebooks (ISNB) are tools that will help students understand the difference between the process and the end result. “Take chances, make mistakes, get MESSY!” – Ms. Frizzle, The … Read More
