We are now living in a period of unprecedented uncertainty. COVID 19—now a pandemic—has already impacted our lives in immeasurable ways. From school closures, to enforced quarantines, to the daily barrage of information and misinformation that dominates our social media, it often seems that we have little control. And
History, literature, and science are all full of mysteries. We should teach them. The idea of grabbing student interest at the start of a lesson is not a new one. Years ago, Madeline Hunter encouraged teachers to launch lessons with an “anticipatory set” and McREL research (Dean et
About the Identity Safe Formative Assessment Five-Part Blog Series Formative assessment (FA) operates as a feedback loop. Together, educators and students set goals, assess, and adjust learning in real time based on collected evidence combined with feedback. Identity Safety is an equity-focused approach where students of all backgrounds feel valued and
Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests a hero is no braver than any ordinary man or woman, it's just that they are brave for “five minutes longer. Who is your hero? Maybe it’s your parent, a teacher, spouse, child, or someone you know who overcame insurmountable odds. The
Rumi poet, Hafiz, wrote, “The words you speak become the house you live in” to emphasize the power of the words we use and the energy, beliefs, and practices that those words actualize in our daily lives. What if we applied Hafiz’s quotation to our
When I speak with other teachers about feedback, one of the main concerns I hear is that the feedback we give students — feedback we pour countless hours into — seems to have little impact on student growth. I know this frustration well, and for many
My youngest daughter and I are list makers. We make lists before we go to the grocery store, when we pack, and as we consider our tasks for the day. Our lists help us organize ourselves within our too-much-to-do lives. Lately, I’ve been talking to
You’re busy. Let’s admit it. You have so much to do. I get it. I’m impressed that you took the time out to read this article. I’d like to share a time management best practice from my newly released book Real Talk About Time Management: 35 Best Practices for Educators that you
The class period is humming along, and at the 20-minute mark, I am excited about how students are about to experience the cognitive need for trigonometric ratios. While introducing the activity, I look at their faces and notice a glazed look for many, 3 yawns,
What single factor drives the following positive outcomes? It’s as important as intelligence in student achievement. It’s as important as persistence in student achievement. It supports better job performance. It leads to better relationships. People with more of it have greater life satisfaction. It helps