TL;DR: Models are a great way to determine student understanding of content. Use exemplars to inspire students to do great things. Encourage students to let their passions fuel their creativity, and give them lots of loose parts to experiment with. Provide expectations, but let students determine how they rise to those expectations. Student Designed Models I am big on student … Read More
Using Infographics with Multilingual Learners
TL;DR: Infographics are a way to show information visually to support multilingual learners. WIDA updated its ELD Framework to include viewing and visually representing. This better describes how we consume and produce information today. Infographics increase accessibility for students. They can also help educators collaborate quickly and easily. Infographics Infographics are a great way to visually and/or graphically represent information. … Read More
Remote Learning: Does Learning Space Impact Student Growth?
TL;DR: The pandemic has caused a gap between students from access to resources, support, and learning environments. Students’ circumstances impacted their ability to learn creating interrupted and unfinished learning experiences. There was a vast difference in what students’ learning spaces were like outside of the classroom. Reflecting on what students have gone through and how this translates into our classrooms … Read More
Finding JOY in the Small Moments
TL;DR: The past few years during the pandemic have been some of the most difficult for everyone. People have suffered great losses. Throughout this time, learning to find JOY in the small moments has been imperative. Even in the darkest moments, JOY is there waiting for us if we just seek it. What is JOY? Joy is the little glimmer … Read More
Fuel for the Fire
TL;DR: The past few years have left me exhausted and lost, seeking other work. But I found my fuel—the kids. Keep looking for your fuel, and keep your fire burning. I am nearing retirement. Six years away. It seems like forever away after the past few years. A past few years that included the most challenging years of my nearly … Read More
