Tapestry of Formative Assessment

Suzanne RogersBlog, Engage Better, Grade Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Formative assessment is vital for effective teaching, offering real-time insights into student progress. Tom Schimmer advocates for diverse approaches, including thoughtful questioning, Socratic seminars, and one-on-one conferencing. Peer reviews, interactive technology, and strategies like think-pair-share enrich formative assessments, promoting collaboration and critical thinking. Tapestry of Formative Assessment Formative assessment is a tapestry and the heartbeat of effective teaching, offering … Read More

Teaching Students to Tackle Problem-Solving

Lisa JonesBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Teach problem-solving through engaging challenges in middle school career technical education. Daily prompts require students to restate problems in their own words before attempting solutions. Shift from large projects to 1 to 2-day mini-challenges, enhancing student engagement and managing activities more effectively. One of the skills I’ve noticed that many students struggle with is problem-solving. Often, when you give … Read More

Mastering The Grid Method in 7 Steps

Rae HughartBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Mastery Done Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Master Grid Method basics for teaching success. Plan, engage, set expectations, and differentiate. Use assessments, reflect, and refine for classroom mastery. Can you feel the excitement in the air as we dive into the new year? This is the perfect time to shake things up in your classroom. And what better way to do it than with Mastery Learning … Read More

What On Earth Is Career Technical Education?

Lisa JonesBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Career Technical Education (CTE) explores interests & builds skills for students in middle and high school. CTE offers diverse electives and prepares students with certifications for various careers. Encouraging CTE allows students to explore passions beyond traditional college paths. So often when you meet new people one of the most common questions is, “What do you do?”  Usually, I … Read More

Why Educators Should Podcast

John SchembariBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better

TL;DR: Educators should podcast despite the saturation in the field; it’s a platform for personal connections and networking, fostering professional relationships with like-minded individuals interested in educational improvement. Podcasting allows you to define and share your unique perspective, offering a fresh take on crucial educational issues. Your voice could be the catalyst for inspiring others’ thoughts and actions. Despite existing … Read More