https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e Important happenings affecting the field of education and learning en-us 2021-08-24 16:14:37 UTC 2025-11-19 00:46:43 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f34e.png hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827471865 This year, more than usual, needs to be an exceptional year at helping students to learn, due to covid and its many repercussions.  Educators need to focus on the student - the learned - instead of themselves.  They need to view the classroom through the “lens” of the student; how can they learn best?  I love how this author talks about recognizing and appreciating the academic asset each student brings to the classroom, each being unique.  The author also stresses on focusing on moving forward in learning, not the setbacks of what was lost last year.   This keeps all students working together toward a common goal.  I really appreciate how this article acknowledges the differences of students while finding a way for them to work together.]]> 2021-10-19 14:50:29 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827471865 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827506523 This article focuses on student-efficacy and how it improves the students’ morale.  The author suggests making a short list of duties for the student to finish throughout a designated timeline.  This could take place over a day or week, for example.  A microtrack is usually four to eight steps that are clearly defined to accomplish a goal in learning, or the learning outcome.  Tasks are listed to clearly define the steps needed to be completed.  These can be listed in a planner, or simply on a sticky note.  Other parts of the microtrack include the success criteria and ultimately the learning outcome.  The student is confident in knowing the process and can accept ownership and flexibility over the tasks.  Following up with reflection enables the student to connect with the students and help them improve for the following day or week.  ]]> 2021-10-19 15:00:03 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827506523 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827533251 The author of this article, a math teacher who has been an educator for 19 years argues that giving a 0 for a missed assignment should be a thing of the past.  Her example of a student with 15 85% grades in the grade book is too heavily affected by the 0.  She didn’t want the students to lack motivation because there was no way to escape the affects of the 0 compared to their average.  She changed her floor to be at 50, so the student can actually redeem themselves, where with a 0, makes it almost impossible to climb from.  This way, she weighted the missing work so her student can climb back.  She said the 50, “allows for redemption; the K does not.”  I think this is a great way to give a grade worth the missing assignment while leaving room for improvement.  ]]> 2021-10-19 15:07:35 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827533251 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827573144 This teacher realized that while students need feedback and reviewing on many assignments, all the feedback didn’t need to come from her.  According to her, this helped improve community in the classroom as well as engagement.  Students need to feel heard and understood, but also safe in doing so.  So, she created a system to enable students to feel valued and empowered while having their work reviewed.  She pushes for reflection by asking peers to define next steps the other student needs to improve, along with specific feedback, all while being kind.  Working in smaller groups, works better so they don’t have the added stress of presenting to the whole classroom.  I also appreciate that she asks each reviewer to include something they like about the person’s assignment.  I think this is a great way for students to learn from each other and work together for collective improvement.]]> 2021-10-19 15:18:57 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827573144 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827606259 I cannot stress how important I think this is.  Teachers need to leave their personal political beliefs out of the classroom in order for students to make these decisions, unbiased, on their own.  The author says it is important to send word home when politics will be discussed in class and to make clear that as the teacher, you will remain neutral.  The author also recommends removing political affiliations from social media and any other public forum so as to not conflict with work.  Use fact and not opinion, and especially from reputable sources.  Otherwise they shouldn’t be shared in class.  Teachers should open the floor for questions and comments and the author even suggests a way for students to submit anonymous questions and comments.  The author also suggests inviting speakers to the class from both sides of the political spectrum.  I think these are great ways to keep a classroom neutral from the biased influences of politics.  A student should be free to make their own opinions without the pressures of others.  In society today, it is important for people to feel safe in their political views without the pressures from the other side telling them they’re wrong.  Students are so impressionable and don’t need the added stress from school.  ]]> 2021-10-19 15:28:03 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827606259 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827634249 How do you keep students engaged in learning?  By asking meaningful, quality questions to engage the learner.  This author’s favorite is, “How do you know…”. This question asks the student to think deeper and reflect on what they’re learning and doing while fostering higher levels of thinking.  Sometimes the answer to this will be different and that’s ok.  While giving these answers in class, it helps others learn to see things in a different way.  If they are paying attention and attentive in class, they will learn from the students around them.  This also will help students use logic instead of simply memorization.  I like the way he engages his students by asking them to think more than what the answer to a question is.  How did you find it?  Are you sure it’s correct?  I think this will also help students gain confidence in backing up their ideas in the future.  ]]> 2021-10-19 15:35:38 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827634249 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827699137 Not all parents look at project-based-learning as a positive, as it requires more work to be done at home.  But, because it is a great way to learn, the author points out ways to help make it easier on students and families and increase the quality of these projects.  First, communication with families is important.  Making sure the projects line up with the lessons in class is crucial.  This way students will be more engaged and authentic.  Detailed rubrics also help clarify the lessons to be learned and what is expected.  I agree with the author that a lot of parents will probably groan internally when they hear that a “project” is involved.  Many parents will draw on their own past experiences, but that might not be what is expected from you was a teacher.  I love the idea of more communication and being forthcoming with all the expectations. Family engagement is crucial in the success of a student, especially with project based learning.  I love the idea of projects, so these tips will be great to remember.  ]]> 2021-10-19 15:54:10 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827699137 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827728035 While many kids are struggling with learning from home, some kids are doing very well with remote learning during Covid and beyond.  Mostly those who are shy, hyperactive, and creative students are among those thriving.  This has many wondering what is contributing to their success.  Is it the flexibility or the lack of distractions and social pressures?  With the flexibility that remote learning offers, kids can take breaks when needed or go at their own pace.  They also get a break from the constants of being continually on the go at school.  Teachers and students are reportedly less stressed than in school.  I think it’s a combination of being more comfortable in their own environment at home as well as being self paced.  I can’t name a single person when I was in school who had enough sleep of enough hours in the day to finish their course load along with extra curricular activities.  If remote learning is working for some kids, that is wonderful.  Everyone thrives in different areas and in different ways.  Maybe remote learning is the future of education?]]> 2021-10-19 16:02:39 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827728035 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827753031 The author in this article recommends keeping track of the praise you give in a classroom in regards to the ratio between praise and reprimands.  Studies show that this will cause improvement in grades and behavior.  In other words, more praise = more participation.  Further in the article, it reports that correcting students rarely improves that certain behavior, where positive reinforcement highly encourages positive behavior.  Teens especially can benefit from praise.  The article doesn’t name a specific ratio as being the sweet spot, but it also warns of overdoing the good.  So, although it’s a little confusing, a classroom can benefit way more from praise than discipline.  I’ve never thought of actually charting this, but the article says its a great way to keep track.  If positive remarks really bring forth better behavior, I think it is in every teacher’s best interest to track their own remarks and change accordingly.  Who, as humans, doesn’t thrive with some good feedback?]]> 2021-10-19 16:10:10 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827753031 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827781311 This article is about teachers putting students’ emotional health first.  I think this is a wonderful idea and needs to be more widely spread.  But many students don’t know how to manage their emotions.  The author talks about ways to help guide kids in controlling and managing their emotions.  The school mentioned looked for ways to make emotionally free and calming areas for their classroom.  They named the room the Brave Room and was to be filled with calming sounds, toys and sensory tools.  No punishment or exclusion would be part of the room, it was a room free of expectation.  They said that students gained trust and helped them feel safe.  I think this is a lesson teachers and schools can take and use to help kids of their own.  Many times a young child has an emotion without a way to nurture it.  This school is helping kids feel comfortable enough to know they need time and space to sort out their feelings, then they can return to class refreshed and ready to learn.  ]]> 2021-10-19 16:18:57 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1827781311 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1828440046 Many factors go affect a test score taken by a student.  These factors should be considered when creating a test, plus the eight factors this article suggests.  The author tells us that most students are underprepared for their tests, so if a teacher can help them build better study/test prep skills, the student will be more confident and produce better results.  The author also warns how too difficult tests can cause students to lack motivation.  Instead, with a “happy medium” it can build the students confidence while helping them remember the answers they got wrong.  Combining different testing formats can help those who do better or worse in certain areas like multiple choice or short answer.  I also like that the author suggests putting the easier questions in the beginning and avoiding trick questions.  This would help build confidence right away instead of immediately stumping a student into defeat.  I also like the idea of giving multiple tests through the class instead of one all-or-nothing test.  Asking for feedback after tests is another great way to gain understanding on how to better test one’s students.  I think all of these tips and more will help students perform better and the teacher will be pleased with the results.  ]]> 2021-10-19 20:38:00 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1828440046 hprasmussen11 https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1828452157 Independent reading is a great way for students to learn and develop many skills.  The author of this article used this practice to help students with their own identity.  The author has them choose a book from a list of books about the main character finding their own places in their world.  Then he has them journal and reflect on the main character and how they would describe them.  This is a great way to practice adjectives and descriptive phrases while thinking deeply about their reading comprehension.  He then has an activity where the students use an iceberg model to describe the character’s attributes why what is seen and unseen.  After these activities, they reflect on themselves and think more deeply about their own attributes and values.  I think this is a great way to teach students to look at themselves in new ways.  I think if we can learn about others, we can sometimes learn better about ourselves, too.  I love reading and I love how this activity helps kids learn about themselves, while enjoying all a book has to offer.  ]]> 2021-10-19 20:44:53 UTC https://padlet.com/hprasmussen11/7vpn6zj155slap5e/wish/1828452157