TL;DR: What does a healthy or productive struggle look like in a classroom? Design classroom instruction with the end in mind and support students through a struggle. The opportunity to struggle through something offers so many benefits to kids! Student understanding requires productive struggle. Do students enter a risk-free classroom or do they engage in productive struggle on a regular … Read More
EdTech Refresh
TL;DR: Spring is a great time to think about ways to refresh your classroom. Consider using Google Forms to help with grading. Google Sites can be used to create a testing hub. Flipgrid is a great way to see what students know. Danae joined Rae on the Daily Drop In to talk about tech resources to refresh your teaching. Click … Read More
Do We Have A System Of Schools Or A School System?
TL;DR: School systems should all have the same end goal for students. In order to achieve this goal, schools need to be aligned on what they are teaching and how they are preparing their students. School systems are designed for multiple purposes, including but not limited to a) Opportunity to Learn, b) Student Growth, c) Develop Lifelong Learners, d) Teach … Read More
Graphic Organizers
TL;DR: Graphic organizers can increase creativity and can serve as a mastery checkpoint. Graphic organizers can increase understanding of complicated concepts and are fun to make! I love using graphic organizers in my classroom. The structure and organization provided by a well-crafted graphic organizer can make complicated concepts appear simple. This is important when teaching about science topics that can seem … Read More
What Should Students Know and Be Able to Do?
TL;DR: Certain skills are necessary for students to be successful beyond high school. Many schools no longer address these skills because of their focus on standards and mandated tests. Backward design helps prepare K-12 students for the future. “As societies become more complex in structure and resources, the need of formal or intentional teaching and learning increases. As formal teaching … Read More
