TL;DR: Data collection helps us make informed decisions for our students. Collaborating with a team to use data effectively is a powerful tool to guide our decisions. The steps for data collection include: understanding the why, collecting the data, checking in with the team, then analyzing and sharing the results. Data, as I’ve come to learn, is one of those … Read More
Upstream Thinking: A Book Study Reflection
TL;DR: Reflections on a book study of Upstream: How to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath. This book provided insights to institutionalized problems and how they can be solved. Each member of the book study shares their favorite quote from the book with their biggest takeaways. In April, I had the pleasure of hosting a virtual book study … Read More
Involving Families in Goal Setting and Reflection
TL;DR: The value of family involvement in goal setting and reflection. A low-tech method for involving families. A technology-based reflection tool for involvement of families. When it comes to goal setting, it’s important that we make it relevant and authentic for our students. Beyond that, we also have to involve their families. “It takes a village to raise a child.” … Read More
How To: Set Better Goals
TL;DR: Four strategies to set better, more realistic goals that you can actually achieve. A bonus fifth step with a review of SMART goal setting. We hear a lot about setting goals. “It’s important to have goals.” “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re already lost.” And the quotes go on and on. So we set goals. Sometimes we … Read More
6 Ways to Promote Authentic Reflection
TL;DR: The vitality of authentic, real reflection in our classroom. 6 ways to ensure your students’ reflection is authentic. Reflection is a vital part of the learning process. When we encourage our students to look back on their growth and reflect, we are inviting them to see clearly the progress they have made. We are helping develop their metacognition and … Read More