Can I explicitly teach knowledge and skills in my inquiry-based classroom? Do I need to frontload everything before my students can be successful in our inquiry? Knowing that learning through inquiry is the basis of a three-dimensional Concept-Based Literacy classroom, teachers often wonder about the
If a goal is going to make the desired impact, then it ought to be just the right size and scope. We like to think of this as setting “Goldilocks goals,” or goals that are just right. The table below provides examples of goals that
Today, learners take for granted growing up in a world that is seamlessly connected by powerful information and communication technologies that give them instant access to everyone and everything, anytime and anywhere. Digital games, YouTube videos, texts, tweets, Instagram messages, SnapChats, and all of the other
When I reflect upon the arc of my education career, I can’t help but feel deep gratitude for the tremendous privilege and responsibility it has been to teach and lead K-12 students. It’s an even greater privilege and responsibility to teach current and future teachers
Surely most of us would like to move beyond merely surviving in the new year to THRIVING in every aspect of our lives. Let’s consider three specific things educators can do to spark and/or renew our joy in what we do each day. 1. Focus on
Our underperforming, low-confidence students need teachers who understand how they learn and who communicate that they care. The instructional strategies listed below are productive for all students, but they are essential for underperforming, low-confidence students. These students can’t mobilize effective effort if they don’t know
Infants come into the world genetically wired to embrace bravery, joyful adventure, curiosity, and—perhaps most important of all—resiliency. After all, they have much to learn; the emotional challenges will be significant and failure inevitable. A healthy perspective and capacity to rebalance and move on to
I am reminded every year why it’s not a good idea to go shopping the night before a blizzard. People drive like they are ants in a panic to get the last crumb off the floor. This year was no exception. As I was stopped
I first wrote about grading for learning in 1995 and more than 20 years later, some of the hot issues we faced then continue to challenge us as we enter 2019. These issues are sometimes used by those who oppose standards-based grading in an attempt
A new year brings a rebirth, a time to start new and to challenge ourselves to stretch and grow. As a school leader, I work to use this time to challenge myself to discover and learn new things. Plus, school leadership is not meant to