Teaching Kids to Record What Is Important

Sharlene McHolmBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: Students’ easy access to information doesn’t guarantee quality work. Teaching note-taking skills enhances critical thinking and learning. Personalized notes empower students. Evaluate student understanding of new concepts with 1:1 conferences.  Teaching Kids to Record What Is Important Students today have easy access to every kind of information, almost instantaneously. But does that lead to more knowledgeable kids?  Are they … 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

Landmines for Instructional Leaders

Steven WeberBlog, Lead Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: Instructional leaders must avoid common landmines in their role, such as prioritizing everything as important, lacking clarity in implementation plans, avoiding conflict, focusing solely on data instead of individuals, and dealing with curriculum clutter. To overcome these challenges, instructional leaders should provide clarity and prioritize effectively, embrace healthy conflict for curriculum improvement, balance data-driven decision-making with a focus on … Read More

Mental Health Awareness: 3 Key Ways to Be There for Students

William AndresenBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better, Self Care Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Students need to feel visible and cared for. Say “hi” to each student, by name, every day. Educators who do this will create a small, but tangible and meaningful reminder for students that they are visible and cared for. Cheer students on. As educators, we have a wonderful opportunity to show up, demonstrate our interest in them as people, … Read More

Teaching About Current Events and Controversial Issues

Steven WeberBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: Teachers can press pause to develop a lesson, collect factual sources, and determine how to teach the lesson in an age-appropriate manner. Determine if you are ‘preaching’ or ‘teaching.’  Provide a balanced perspective and seek resources from multiple perspectives. What is the best approach to teaching about current events and controversial issues?  Americans are divided on issues related to … Read More