Genius Hour: Your Solution to Student Engagement

Janel SebenyBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: Genius Hour is a powerful way to keep students engaged and excited. By allowing students to explore their passions, conduct research, and create something meaningful, Genius Hour unleashes their potential and fosters a love for learning. Reflecting on the experience and sharing their projects with others enhances students’ self-awareness, growth, and presentation skills. Genius Hour provides a high-engagement unit … Read More

10 Ways to Wrap Up Your Lesson

Michele HaikenBlog, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Lesson Plan Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Teachers should gather students for reflection and check understanding in the last few minutes of class to ensure everyone met the objective and address any confusion. Ten favorite ways to wrap up a lesson include exit tickets, 3-2-1 summaries, sentence-phrase-word reflections, stop and jot activities, captioning visuals, AEIOU reflections, rock-paper-scissors reflections, What’s In the Cards reflection protocol, quiz games, … Read More

Learner Agency: Teaching The Art of Agility

Steven WeberBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Reflect Better, Teach Further

TL;DR: Learner agency empowers students through student voice, choice, innovation, and authentic tasks, allowing them to take ownership of their learning. Teachers can create opportunities for learner agency by implementing strategies such as project-based learning, arts education, communication, problem-solving, and reflection. Learner agency enables students to set goals, reflect on their progress, and transfer their understanding in new situations, developing … Read More

Enhancing Learning with Ed Tech

Dan ThomasBlog, Differentiate Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL:DR: Common sense is an important aspect of human intelligence that allows us to navigate everyday situations using reasoning and logic. Teaching and cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills, rather than relying solely on memorization, promotes understanding and the application of knowledge to real-world situations. Integrating educational technology (ed tech) in the classroom should be done with common sense, considering … Read More

3 Strategies to Boost Students’ Speaking and Writing Skills

Stephan HughesBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: Substitution tables are a helpful tool for students to practice using different words and expressions. They also help improve their vocabulary and confidence in English communication. Pre-teaching lexical bundles and collocations aids vocabulary and fluency development. They familiarize students with common word groups and natural phrase combinations. Assigning timed speaking and writing activities encourages clear and efficient expression. This … Read More