When it comes to teaching students how to read challenging informational or artistic texts, the emphasis on discrete comprehension skills such as “finding the main idea” or “making inferences”-approaches designed to transfer across disciplines-has lost ground. As we reported in our annual roundup of the most important educational research in 2023, recent research seems to […]
One of my favorite reflection programs is the “Start-Stop-Continue” exercise. It encourages learners to consider the impact of what they are learning by asking about their perceived impact. The teacher or facilitator completes a lesson or sequence of instructions, then stops and asks their audience to consider what they are going to start doing, stop […]
A few years ago, at a professional development conference, I learned a strategy called “Quote, Quote, Mingle” from my middle school instructional coach. This strategy helps students gain knowledge by having conversations with their peers based on what they read. The more people you talk to, the more information you get, which helps you gain […]
I tell my students at the beginning of the school year that science is a descriptive discipline. The goal of scientists is to observe phenomena and attempt to accurately communicate what we observe. There is so much beauty in the world that we seldom see because we think they are so commonplace that we seldom […]
In this article, we’ll touch on neuroscience insights about the brain’s attention-getting system. Understanding this process allows teachers to use specific techniques to capture students’ attention when introducing new topics. The brain evolved to facilitate survival. Every second, millions of sensory messages from receptors in the eyes, ears, viscera, skin, and muscles enter the brain’s […]
Increasingly, schools are helping students to engage in their own learning through initiatives that build agency, voice, and instructional input. Student agency requires that every student has a sense of belonging in all classes and activities. True student agency also relies on rigorous teaching and learning and on understanding each student in a “whole person” […]
What does it mean to be a thermostat instead of a thermometer? It’s a thought-provoking analogy from Martin Luther King, Jr. Think of it this way: A thermometer simply reports the temperature around it; a thermostat plays a role – it actively regulates and changes the environment. Becoming a thermostat is an empowering mindset, especially […]
As second grade teachers, we know that our students are exploring new relationships, changing social dynamics, and feeling the emotional burdens these interactions can bring. Our students often encounter conflict as we ask them to take risks, stand up for their beliefs, and share their thoughts and opinions. With this in mind, we created and […]
Key Points You’re reading this article because you want to make a change in high school life. You may have experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to rethink, redesign, and collaborate on building a student-oriented high school that prepares graduates for the future. The innovative and creative energy necessary for this labor of love […]
Teaching kindergarteners to write may seem like a daunting task, but if done correctly, it can be a fun and engaging experience for both you and your students. Here are 10 tips to help you effectively teach writing skills to kindergarten students: By implementing these 10 tips, you can help your kindergartener develop strong writing […]
