In the busy world of school our well-intentioned plans grow dust. Loose ends are too numerous to count, and nothing seems to be moving forward. Welcome to Stuck Valley, says organizational expert Dr. Frank Buck. But take heart – he’s here to get you back on track.
Owning Up, a 6-9 SEL curriculum developed by Rosalind Wiseman in partnership with AMLE, can give young people the capacity to understand their individual development in relation to their peers and the skills to be competent in the social conflicts they experience.
Beyond Comfort Zones / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 10/31/2016 · Last modified 11/27/2019
Technology can be a topic that excites and motivates co-teachers to co-create lively learning experiences. Or it can make a co-teaching conversation fall flat. Elizabeth Stein shares tech resources to help co-teachers better connect with students and each other.
By adopting Jonathan Eckert’s Novice Advantage, teachers can harness the enthusiasm of the “new” teacher and capitalize on the wisdom they have to improve their practice, says educator/reviewer Amber Chandler. Eckert’s innovative book offers many real-world examples.
Are today’s students impatient to solve problems without enough thought? Curtis Chandler recalls Ms. Porcupine’s 6th-grade brain stretchers that required him to slow down and think methodically. He shares one about castles and crocodiles and has tips on creating more.
Parent Teacher Conferences / Resources
by Susan Curtis · Published 10/10/2016 · Last modified 11/25/2019
From classroom to building to district, implementing parent teacher conference strategies collected from educators can strengthen communication and benefit students. Included: student led conferences, co-teaching approaches, challenges parents and guardians face.
When students are busy learning, staying in a single group is stifling. The solution for teacher-author Amber Chandler is a “flexible classroom” where students rotate through strategic groupings to meet differentiated needs at various stages of the learning process.
The Co-Teaching Relationship / Two Teachers in the Room
by Elizabeth Stein · Published 10/04/2016 · Last modified 11/21/2019
The most effective classroom leaders combine their expertise with others in collaborative, powerful ways, says instructional coach Elizabeth L. Stein. How can co-teachers evolve into a dependent leadership team? “Each co-teacher must be willing to be disturbed.”
As they compose non-fiction paragraphs or essays, students must frame selected quotes (evidence) with appropriate context and explanation, says literacy consultant Sarah Tantillo. But they often struggle to compile these “quote sandwiches.” Try some of her solutions.
Experiential Learning / Working Draft
by Kevin Hodgson · Published 10/02/2016 · Last modified 11/24/2019
Kevin Hodgson talks with teacher and innovator John Spencer about LAUNCH, an acronym representing a kid-friendly reinterpretation of the design process that can spark the creative urge in K-12 learners and guide teachers in making, researching, and much more.
