Educational resources by Mme S Murray

Engaging Students in Virtual Instruction With the Camera Off

smurray37 — 2020-09-18 16:28:14 UTC

Edutopia article

3 Participation Strategies for Live Video Instruction

smurray37 — 2020-09-18 16:29:23 UTC

Edutopia article

smurray37 — 2020-09-18 16:55:18 UTC

Resources for communicating with EL's and their families

smurray37 — 2020-09-22 21:13:41 UTC

Talking Points

Talking Points is a communications app to help with language barriers between parents and teachers.

The app offers text-message-like functionality. (Offered for iOS and Android.)

Google Translate App –

Typing, speaking, or using the camera to translate text on an image into many languages!

(Offered for iOS and Android.)

A Fabulous article about our "Surge capacity" emotions during this "new normal".

smurray37 — 2020-09-23 15:58:17 UTC

How to Better Engage Students in Online Math Classes

smurray37 — 2020-09-23 16:53:44 UTC

From Edutopia
(There are good ideas that can apply to other subject areas too!)

Staying Connected Through Morning Message Videos

smurray37 — 2020-09-23 20:35:29 UTC

Flipgrid (or video platform) to make a "Top 10" style video.

smurray37 — 2020-09-24 19:50:19 UTC

It's creation. Students are making something with what they've learned.

They're low prep! Assigning them doesn't require a lot of front-end work by the teacher.

Director Dr. Helen Hill shared this quote,

smurray37 — 2020-09-29 22:48:44 UTC

"When we say relationships before rigor, that's true whether we are in remote learning, or in the school building - not because rigor isn't important, but because our relationships with the students is what makes rigor possible."

Adapting an Effective Math Collaboration Activity for Distance Learning

smurray37 — 2020-11-03 23:07:34 UTC

A great guided group work strategy and how they adapted it for DL.

Using ‘Hexagonal Thinking’ to Deepen Classroom Conversations

smurray37 — 2020-11-03 23:12:37 UTC

A novel activity using little more than geometric shapes can help students examine complex problems and connect big ideas.

7 High-Impact, Evidence-Based Tips for Online Teaching

smurray37 — 2020-11-03 23:14:20 UTC

What do highly effective teachers do in online classrooms? We combed through dozens of studies to find the best research-backed ideas.

3-FREE-Halloween-Digital-Escape-Rooms-with-answers

smurray37 — 2020-11-03 23:20:29 UTC

There are more escape room ideas from Ditch that textbook too.

TOP 7 ONLINE ICEBREAKERS + 2 Free in PDF Bonus | Fun Interactive ZOOM Games

smurray37 — 2020-11-04 16:53:05 UTC

Strategies to Encourage Students to Turn Their Cameras On

smurray37 — 2020-11-16 21:50:33 UTC

Incorporating SEL approaches, playing games, and giving students options can inspire them to show their faces.

25 Fun Games to Play on Zoom | Virtual Zoom Games for Teachers, Friends, and Families

smurray37 — 2020-11-16 21:53:18 UTC

High School Is Not the Time to Let Up on SEL

smurray37 — 2020-11-18 22:53:23 UTC

The science suggests that teenagers still need lots of social and emotional support—but SEL work tends to focus on the elementary years.

10 ways to build student relationships from an online teacher

smurray37 — 2020-11-18 23:08:18 UTC

Single Point Rubric

smurray37 — 2020-12-08 18:39:44 UTC

From the Cult of Pedagogy: The practice of using single point rubrics is slowly but surely catching on. The simplicity of these rubrics — with just a single column of criteria, rather than a full menu of performance levels — offers a whole host of benefits:

Passion For Pedagogy

smurray37 — 2020-12-14 21:09:03 UTC

A pedagogy of the heart.For teachers who want to integrate social justice into their classroom practice.

5 Things We've Learned About Virtual School In 2020

smurray37 — 2020-12-17 22:10:25 UTC

NPR

Rethinking Homework for This Year—and Beyond

smurray37 — 2021-01-04 21:04:23 UTC

What is most important? What is most transferable? What is most relevant?

A schoolwide effort to reduce homework has led to a renewed focus on ensuring that all work assigned really aids students’ learning.

Use an "Everything I know about this but wasn't asked" question on Google Forms quizzes. (Matt from Ditch That Textbook)

smurray37 — 2021-01-06 20:39:54 UTC

Include this as a paragraph text question. It empowers students to show what they know instead of penalizing them for getting things wrong -- a big shift.

Student Technology Help Services Portal

smurray37 — 2021-01-22 21:39:07 UTC

San Juan Unified Wellness Room & Resources

smurray37 — 2021-01-25 18:15:51 UTC

Care Solace

smurray37 — 2021-01-25 19:03:51 UTC

A SIMPLE, FAST and SAFE Tool for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Help

The most TRUSTED community of care

In partnership with San Juan Unified School District

Enduring Practices From Remote Teaching

smurray37 — 2021-04-09 17:11:33 UTC

From Edutopia: After a yearlong crash course in digital tools and remote teaching, a teacher reflects on what will stick in her brick-and-mortar classroom.

Bolstering Executive Function in Middle and High School Students

smurray37 — 2021-04-09 17:13:44 UTC

From Edutopia: When adults support development of teens’ executive function skills during the critical years of adolescence, it can have a lifelong impact.

Build it Together: Co-Constructing Success Criteria with Students

smurray37 — 2021-04-09 17:38:25 UTC

Cult of Pedagogy interview with Starr Sackstein

If Equity is a Priority, UDL is a Must

smurray37 — 2021-04-09 17:43:40 UTC

Cult of Pedagogy interview with Katie Novak and Mirko Chardin

How to Set Up Mastery-Based Grading in Your Classroom

smurray37 — 2021-04-09 17:47:03 UTC

Cult of Pedagogy interview with Kareem Farah

“Learning loss? How can you lose something you never had?"

smurray37 — 2021-04-15 22:12:01 UTC

"This idea compares last year -- when we were doing the best we could do -- with a normal year.

Doubling down to catch students up is hard and potentially harmful. Kids are like a growing flower (hat tip to the late Sir Ken Robinson).
You can't paste the petals on.
You can't force it to grow.
You can't say, "I planted these flowers late, and Mother's Day is coming ... so let's double down on growing and speed up."
Learning doesn't work that way.

Learning loss? No. I don't see you for that.

I see what you and your students HAVE done.

You've worked EXTRA hours to make learning happen despite challenges.

You've learned new technology -- despite frustration -- for your kids.

I see you.

You've done what felt impossible -- build relationships without being face to face.

You were there for kids -- YOUR kids -- when everything was crumbling around them.

I see you.

You've innovated your instruction. You've done new things -- some successful, some not so successful.

You've found new methods you like that you'll keep post-pandemic.

I see you.

Your students were resilient. YOU were resilient. And you still are.

You and your students have had shining moments where you've thrived.

Learning loss? Nah.

Opportunity. Possibility. Perseverance.

I see you. You inspire me. And I thank you.

Thank you for all you've done.”
-Matt Miller#DitchThatTextBook

Too Much Focus on ‘Learning Loss’ Will Be an Historic Mistake

smurray37 — 2021-05-27 15:51:28 UTC

From Edutopia:

Learning loss is real and needs to be addressed, but how we go about it should be commensurate with the size of the moment.

By Stephen Merrill

April 16, 2021

Templates for Reflection

smurray37 — 2021-08-25 19:16:33 UTC

No more Jamboard. No problem. This is a PDF file. Make a copy. Adjust. Add it to Slides, PowerPoint, Docs, Word, etc. and assign to students.

They include:

Stop Start Continue: A way for students to evaluate their work
Struggle / Work at / Good at: A three-part self evaluation
Reflection questions: Including "Where can I improve my learning?" and "What are my learning strengths?"

From Edutopia: 8 Steps to Making Feedback More Effective

smurray37 — 2021-08-30 15:49:07 UTC

8 Steps to Making Feedback More Effective

A process that integrates peer and teacher feedback with periods of revision drives deeper learning for middle and high school students.

By Jonathan Eckert

From Edutopia: Let’s Start This Year by Focusing on Learning Gains

smurray37 — 2021-08-30 16:37:53 UTC

Let’s Start This Year by Focusing on Learning Gains

There’s a lot of talk about learning loss, but teachers can guide students to reflect on all the ways they’ve grown during the pandemic.

By Jamie Kobs

August 12, 2021

Student reflection research cheat sheet

smurray37 — 2021-08-30 19:08:51 UTC

From Matt at Ditch that Textbook

From Edutopia: SEL in Elementary classrooms

smurray37 — 2021-08-30 19:12:01 UTC

What Have I Been Doing for My Students That They Could Do for Themselves?

Letting young students make mistakes teaches them valuable lessons about taking ownership of the process of learning.

Creating a Mindful Space for Self-Regulation

smurray37 — 2021-09-17 21:39:23 UTC

From Edutopia
Setting aside a quiet room for elementary students who need time and strategies to regulate their emotions helps them return to class feeling ready to learn.

By Sarah Kellett

The Powerful Effects of Drawing on Learning

smurray37 — 2021-09-17 21:59:54 UTC

The science is clear: Drawing beats out reading and writing to help students remember concepts.

Using Drawings for Formative Assessment

smurray37 — 2021-09-17 22:01:09 UTC

Asking middle and high school students to sketch something they’re learning can give teachers a clear sense of what they do and don’t understand.

Defending a Teacher’s Right to Disconnect

smurray37 — 2021-09-17 22:17:31 UTC

Remember personal time? For many educators, technology has driven it toward extinction—and it’s time to get serious about reclaiming it.

Taking Small Steps Toward Equity

smurray37 — 2021-10-01 16:08:12 UTC

From Edutopia:

It can be difficult to know how to keep going with equity work, but starting with culturally responsive teaching is helpful.

Finishing Class Strong With Optimistic Closures

smurray37 — 2021-10-01 16:19:03 UTC

The best closing activities use social and emotional practices to reinforce the day’s lessons, so students leave feeling confident—and competent—on their learning journey.

Sensory Strategies That Help Students Refocus on Learning

smurray37 — 2021-10-01 18:49:08 UTC

Elementary students face a constant stream of distracting sensory stimuli throughout the day, but these simple, quick exercises can help them stay on track.

The Importance of Maslow’s Fourth Tier

smurray37 — 2021-10-01 20:56:21 UTC

From Cult of Pedagogy, "In order to motivate students to achieve and be willing to take risks, we have to understand the needs humans have that impact their ability to tap into that motivation. According to Maslow’s original hierarchy, there are five tiers that make up a hierarchy of needs (Maslow, 1987)."

14 social media-inspired Google Slides templates

smurray37 — 2021-10-01 21:00:51 UTC

"Students use social media all the time. Let's put those skills to use! In these social media-inspired Google Slides templates, they can show what they know with their favorite apps."

25 tips for connecting families with the classroom

smurray37 — 2021-10-01 21:03:17 UTC

"Family engagement plays a huge role in the success of our students. How can we effectively connect families with the classroom? And what tools and resources are available to help increase communication between home and school?"

EduTip - Distract the Distractor

smurray37 — 2021-10-13 20:22:08 UTC

DISTRACT THE DISTRACTOR.

This is a subtle little teaching move you can use to stop off-task behavior in a class session and get things back on track without drama.

(EduTips are micro-episodes of the Cult of Pedagogy Podcast. Each EduTip offers one small, useful thing that will help you become a better teacher.)

Progressive choice boards: Provide choice without overwhelming

smurray37 — 2021-10-14 14:59:21 UTC

From Matt at Ditch that Textbook:
Choice boards give students options for activities they do, but they can also be overwhelming. Here's a better option.

13 ways to connect music and lyrics to class

smurray37 — 2021-10-14 15:04:32 UTC

13 ways to connect music and lyrics to class

In a recent #DitchBook Twitter chat, we discussed the impact of music and lyrics in the classroom and tossed around ideas for incorporating them to engage students. Check out the ideas, along with tons of resources.

The Case Against Zeros in Grading

smurray37 — 2021-10-15 20:59:16 UTC

By Alexis Tamony
Teachers can rethink their grading practices to make them more mathematically fair for students and allow for redemption for a missed assignment.
(The video really helps visualize the ideas.)

Conscious Teaching -reinforcing procedures lessons

smurray37 — 2021-10-19 16:11:20 UTC

Teaching and reinforcing procedures is one the most fundamental elements of creating an effective learning environment. See below shared lesson plans and quizzes on teaching key procedures from K-12 teachers across the country

60-Second Strategy: Ask 3 Before Me

smurray37 — 2021-10-27 19:58:20 UTC

When students help each other in the classroom, they gain confidence and independence—and you get to keep on teaching.

Get your grading under control with these 7 mental shifts + habits

smurray37 — 2021-10-27 20:06:59 UTC

This episode is going to be a game changer! I'm talking with Megan Faherty, a long-time user of the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek program who's currently in her 17th year of teaching. Megan shares tons of practical strategies and a whole new approach to thinking about how you grade that has helped her reclaim her nights and weekends:

Shift 1: If you don’t have time to grade it, students don’t have time to learn from it.
Shift 2: Put grading on your to-do list when you assign it.
Shift 3: Grade the way that works.
Shift 4: Reduce guilt by being honest about your grading timeline.
Shift 5: Plan backwards from a goal.
Shift 6: Do the worst thing first.
Shift 7: Reduce dithering about points and decision fatigue

10 Strategies That Support English Language Learners Across All Subjects

smurray37 — 2021-10-28 17:44:28 UTC

Teachers of any subject can use these tips to help English language learners be more engaged and at ease in class.

6 myths about English Language Learners debunked to make supporting them easier

smurray37 — 2021-11-01 20:15:28 UTC

This article is written by Truth for Teachers writer Houa Yang-Xiong.

English Learners (ELs) or Multilingual Learners (MLs) are steadily increasing in our schools and come from a wide range of backgrounds. As educators, we need to understand that ELs do not learn differently from native-English speakers, they have specific needs. We will have to touch upon scaffolds and differentiation strategies another time. But I would like to share the importance for educators to understand and avoid misconceptions we have when we have ELs in our schools. I’ve compiled a few myths I have run into over the years as an EL teacher.

The 2×10 strategy is simple: spend 2 minutes per day for 10 days in a row talking with a student who is currently struggling about anything she or he wants to talk about.

smurray37 — 2021-11-04 20:23:37 UTC

Total Participation Techniques

smurray37 — 2021-11-05 15:59:59 UTC

Total Participation Techniques
are teaching techniques that require evidence of participation and higher-order thinking from all students at the same time...

Why Are We Still Doing That? Positive Alternatives to Problematic Teaching Practices

smurray37 — 2021-11-05 16:01:16 UTC

In their new ASCD book, Why Are We Still Doing That? Positive Alternatives to Problematic Teaching Practices, authors Pérsida and William Himmele take aim at 16 common classroom practices that may be worth replacing. From the beginning, the authors acknowledge that it can be difficult for educators to recognize when particular strategies aren’t helping.

Bounce Cards - can help all students structure academic conversations.

smurray37 — 2021-11-05 16:26:28 UTC

From Total Participation Techniques: Making every student an active learner.

With Stress in Schools Increasing, Simple Strategies to Stay Calm

smurray37 — 2021-11-05 16:30:31 UTC

In North Carolina, a program offers ‘rapid resets’ to help teachers and students calm their minds and bodies and get back to learning. There are short video models of each idea.

Rapid resets, tools for de-escalation

smurray37 — 2021-11-05 16:32:45 UTC

This video is part of our series on rapid resets, tools for de-escalation that can help teachers and students build resilience, calm their nervous systems, and bring their thinking brains back online. Special thanks to Resources for Resilience, an organization in Asheville, North Carolina, that trains educators in how to use these tools for themselves and with their students.

How to Build Executive Function Skills in Preschool

smurray37 — 2021-11-05 16:34:23 UTC

From imaginative play to storytelling, certain activities help build self-regulation, memory, and planning skills—setting the littlest learners on a pathway to academic success.

7 Things Teachers Say to Create a Supportive Classroom

smurray37 — 2021-11-16 16:30:03 UTC

The things teachers say can cut deeply or build a lasting foundation for success. Here are seven teacher-tested expressions to try this year.

There’s no way for a teacher to get through a whole school year without blurting out the wrong thing a few times. Difficult mornings sometimes become insufferable afternoons, and kids of all ages know how to press adults’ buttons. When you do slip up, extend yourself some grace.

How Novice and Expert Teachers Approach Classroom Management Differently

smurray37 — 2021-11-16 16:35:20 UTC

A 2021 study reveals the ways in which new and experienced teachers think about discipline—plus 6 takeaways for managing your classroom effectively this year.

Helping Students Reacclimate to Being With Others All Day

smurray37 — 2021-11-18 00:49:07 UTC

Many students are still a little overwhelmed at being around their peers, though they’re also excited. Some simple strategies can help them adjust to being back in school.

The start of the 2021–22 school year has been rough. Students across the world are experiencing “broken belongings”—a detachment from others—as the pandemic created conditions of relative isolation and a significant amount of chronic unpredictability within communities and home environments during the past 20 months.

3 Grading Practices That Should Change

smurray37 — 2021-11-30 16:44:46 UTC

By ensuring that their grading methods accurately report content knowledge, teachers can promote and reward student growth.

A Simple Tool to Help Teachers Regulate Their Own Emotions

smurray37 — 2021-11-30 16:46:48 UTC

In a year that’s bringing a lot of stress, this tool is no cure-all, but it can help teachers keep their emotions in check.

How to Counter Learned Helplessness

smurray37 — 2021-11-30 16:51:32 UTC

For students who have internalized a message that they’re destined to fail, promoting realistic optimism can be game-changing.

Guiding Older Students to Enter and Exit the Classroom Smoothly

smurray37 — 2021-11-30 16:55:59 UTC

After so much time out of school, middle and high school students may need multiple refreshers on classroom procedures.

10 low-prep, high-return activities for class TOMORROW

smurray37 — 2021-12-01 16:20:40 UTC

There’s no shame in low-prep! Here are 10 solid teaching ideas for tomorrow that will free up some time in your life.

Low-prep doesn’t have to mean less learning. Technology allows us to be more efficient and effective in the classroom in many ways. When we focus on sound teaching and learning, we can do high-quality learning in less time — AND take less time to prepare for it!

Here are 10 ideas that take little to no prep time that can yield some great critical thinking, collaboration, creation and more.

Try one out in class tomorrow!

3 Simple Tech Tools to Bolster Literacy

smurray37 — 2021-12-01 16:44:19 UTC

While most elementary students are learning in person now, these tools are a big help in promoting literacy in or outside of the classroom.

5 Tiny Language Shifts (That Can Make a Big Difference in Classrooms!)

smurray37 — 2021-12-01 18:10:45 UTC

Using Your Library in the Time of Pandemic

smurray37 — 2021-12-01 20:11:57 UTC

Our Sacramento County Public Library has so many amazing resources and ways to access them!

Reciprocal Teaching: Selecting From the "Fab Four"

smurray37 — 2021-12-01 21:18:24 UTC

In this Video

This video introduces strategies that scaffold learning and further student use of the Fab Four steps. Lori Oczkus explains how each of the Fab Four foundations (think alouds, scaffolding, cooperative learning, and metacognition) help make reciprocal teaching lessons successful.

EduTip 6: Try a tiered activity for simple differentiation.

smurray37 — 2021-12-06 21:38:03 UTC

While you probably know that it’s not necessary to plan a unique lesson for every student, you may not be aware of some of the simplest ways to provide differentiation, so in this tip I’ll share just one, the tiered activity, also known as a tiered assignment.

You can find this strategy in lots of places, but I learned about it from the work of Carol Ann Tomlinson in books like How to Differentiate Instruction in Academically Diverse Classrooms (Bookshop.org link | Amazon link).

SJUSD Essential Standards

smurray37 — 2021-12-07 21:27:21 UTC

What are the "Essential Standards" and what makes a standard "Essential?"
Power Standard or Building-Block
StandardCritical for learners' success later in the year; in the next grade or course level; across other domains or content areas

Try it Out Tuesday - Sticky Notes

smurray37 — 2022-01-25 19:00:10 UTC

From Lisa Bowman, SJCOE

Teaching Self-Regulation During Choice Time in Pre-K

smurray37 — 2022-01-25 20:15:34 UTC

With a few simple supports in place, students learn how to manage their emotions and take turns—and the whole classroom runs more smoothly.

A Discussion Protocol for Group Learning Experiences

smurray37 — 2022-01-25 20:50:17 UTC

High school teachers and students can use a theater-based strategy to cultivate curiosity and engagement in class.

A Key Skill for World Language Learners

smurray37 — 2022-01-25 20:58:58 UTC

Presenting information is a great task for world language learners, and these four engaging activities will get them talking.

60-Second Strategy: Peer Review

smurray37 — 2022-01-25 21:39:09 UTC

When students take charge of their own feedback, they learn to work with others in the room—and not just their friends.

Building Resilience in Young Math Students

smurray37 — 2022-01-25 21:43:32 UTC

Support provided by early childhood educators can put students on a path that will lead to success in math for years to come.

7 Clever, Teacher-Tested Tech Hacks

smurray37 — 2022-01-25 21:48:10 UTC

From dropping a pin into online texts, to teaching students the art of checklists, here’s how teachers are upping their edtech game.

7 Attention-Getters to Use Instead of Raising Your Voice

smurray37 — 2022-01-28 17:56:19 UTC

These visual and audio cues can help middle and high school teachers quickly get students back on track.

4 Ways to Fight Bias in Grading

smurray37 — 2022-01-28 20:50:31 UTC

Unconscious bias may be unavoidable, but here’s how you can reduce its destructive impact.

Uncovering the hidden clutter in your curriculum so you can simplify lesson design

smurray37 — 2022-02-15 21:57:21 UTC

PODCAST ARTICLES, TRUTH FOR TEACHERS COLLECTIVE | FEB 13, 2022

By Sally Berquist

Writing Instructional Coach

Avoiding Racial Equity Detours

smurray37 — 2022-03-14 15:59:45 UTC

by Paul Gorski
Students experiencing racism can't wait for schools to move at their own pace and comfort level.

Phrases You Can Keep Handy to Say ‘No’ Clearly

smurray37 — 2022-03-17 16:23:03 UTC

Many teachers are tempted to take on too much at school, but setting firm boundaries is a responsible way to make the work sustainable.

A Powerful Lesson About Hurtful Words (upper elementary)

smurray37 — 2022-03-17 16:45:36 UTC

This interactive lesson incorporates narrative storytelling and art to help students understand how damaging words can be.

4 Steps to Discussing Challenging Behavior With a Student

smurray37 — 2022-03-17 16:59:36 UTC

Addressing students’ behavior can be tough, but it’s possible to approach them in ways that show compassion and help them feel ready to discuss the issue.

Sticky learning: Digital brain dumps with Flipgrid and Socrative

smurray37 — 2022-03-17 17:27:17 UTC

Help new information stick in students' minds with the "brain dump," an effective, low-prep activity in the classroom.

10 ways to improve students’ long-term learning

smurray37 — 2022-03-17 17:28:44 UTC

Research has a lot to say about improving students' long-term memory. Here are 10 ideas you can use in class.

5 Ways to Motivate Students to Learn Math Effectively

smurray37 — 2022-03-17 18:41:57 UTC

Students generally feel less anxious and more excited to explore concepts when they connect the math they’re learning to real-life situations.

A Framework for Boosting High School Students’ Math Confidence

smurray37 — 2022-03-17 18:42:39 UTC

Activities designed to help students believe in themselves may improve their math skills.

6 Elementary Reading Strategies That Really Work

smurray37 — 2022-03-23 18:45:08 UTC

Strategies like choral reading and ear reading improve students’ reading fluency, expand their vocabulary, and increase their confidence.

An Innovative Way to Deal With Plagiarism

smurray37 — 2022-03-23 18:45:44 UTC

Creating a short blended learning course is a good way to help students learn how to quote and paraphrase sources and use proper citations.

Try It Out Tuesday: SEL Activities

smurray37 — 2022-03-23 18:47:36 UTC

The Research on Life-Changing Teaching

smurray37 — 2022-03-29 16:38:39 UTC

What really moves the needle for educators and, by extension, their students?

Being an effective teacher is about more than just improving test scores—it’s also about making a difference in students’ lives. When we asked our readers to describe the traits of a life-changing teacher, they said that great teachers make their students feel safe and loved, possess a contagious passion for learning, believe their students can succeed—and always know when to be tough to help students reach their full potential.

But does the research agree? What are the fundamental levers that teachers can pull to refine their practices, improve their craft, and make a significant—or even life-altering—contribution to the lives of their students?

We reviewed nearly two dozen studies in compiling this piece—so let’s get right to it.

3 practices to give you more one-on-one time with students

smurray37 — 2022-03-29 16:56:32 UTC

If you feel like you never have enough time to truly differentiate or personalize learning, try the approach by the Modern Classrooms Project approach.

I’m interviewing co-founder Kareem Farah about three strategies that you can experiment with integrating into your classroom to allow kids to work at their own pace, and free you up to work with students individually and in small groups.

60-Second Strategy: Math Partners

smurray37 — 2022-03-31 15:26:45 UTC

When kids explain their mathematical thinking to their peers, they learn there’s more to math than just the right answer.

5 Image-Based Activities for World Language Learners

smurray37 — 2022-03-31 15:48:49 UTC

Discussing images of people, places, and foods from the target culture helps world language students develop a variety of skills.

8 Proactive Classroom Management Tips

smurray37 — 2022-03-31 16:08:17 UTC

New teachers—and experienced ones too—can find ideas here on how to stop disruptive behavior before it begins.

Viewing Late Work Through an Equity Lens

smurray37 — 2022-03-31 17:06:16 UTC

A teacher stopped penalizing late work and started asking students questions about why assignments were late. Here’s what he learned.

The Teenage Brain:

smurray37 — 2022-05-04 15:33:52 UTC

Sarah-Jayne Blakemore Discovery A cognitive neuroscientist unlocks the mysteries of the teenage brain

8 Principles for Supporting Students with ADHD

smurray37 — 2022-05-04 15:35:32 UTC

A SOLID PLACE TO START: RUSSELL BARKLEY

Setting out to find good resources, I kept landing on the name Russell Barkley, an ADHD researcher who has been called a pioneer, a leading expert, and the gold standard in ADHD research. In all the places where his work appears—speaking on YouTube, as a guest on multiple podcasts, and as the author of many articles and books on ADHD—what is most striking are the number of comments from adults with ADHD who are relieved to finally find some validation, to hear clear explanations for why their brains work the way they do.

60-Second Strategy: Daily Intentions

smurray37 — 2022-05-04 18:40:31 UTC

By making small goal setting part of the everyday routine, teachers help students build the skills they need to achieve larger and longer-term objectives.

How to Shift to Self-Grading in English Classes

smurray37 — 2022-05-04 18:42:52 UTC

By articulating clearer expectations about what’s being evaluated, teachers can help students become more fluent in improving and assessing their own work.

Silence as a Co-regulation Strategy in the Pre-K Classroom

smurray37 — 2022-05-04 18:44:25 UTC

During tense situations, young children can learn to regulate their emotions when teachers calmly sit with them—using zero words at first.

The Benefits of Oral History Projects for Multilingual Learners

smurray37 — 2022-05-04 18:47:09 UTC

When multilingual students interview family members, they improve their communication skills and learn more about their roots.
Nationwide, about one out of every 10 public school students is learning to speak English. The U.S. Department of Education reports that there are an estimated 4.9 million children in public schools learning the English language, an increase of more than 1 million since 2000.

A Critical Thinking Strategy for Student Note-Taking

smurray37 — 2022-05-04 18:50:04 UTC

This graphic organizer guides students to categorize information while they’re taking notes, leading to deeper engagement.

From the book Rebound

smurray37 — 2022-05-04 18:52:36 UTC

Transforming Tasks - a reminder of small shifts we can make to deepen the learning and opportunities for students.

Squats, Lunges, and Phonemes

smurray37 — 2022-09-09 19:25:56 UTC

Adding movement to reading lessons reinforces key concepts and helps fidgety students concentrate.

Encouraging Middle and High School Students to Build Patience in the Classroom

smurray37 — 2022-09-09 19:29:35 UTC

Waiting for a teacher’s support can be hard for some students, but with the right strategies, they can learn to use this time productively.

Building Strong Foundations With Classroom Routines

smurray37 — 2022-09-09 19:32:03 UTC

Investing time early in the year to establish procedures and expectations lets teachers and students enjoy a classroom that runs more smoothly (almost!) every day.

Using Games to Help Improve Students’ Phonics Skills

smurray37 — 2022-09-09 19:33:44 UTC

Young readers benefit from learning through play, and teachers can introduce familiar games to help support students’ literacy growth.

Tapping Into Compassion When Students Push Your Buttons

smurray37 — 2022-09-09 19:41:07 UTC

Our brains are wired for knee-jerk responses—so how can you keep compassion and empathy front of mind?

10 ways to make the most of your LMS

smurray37 — 2022-09-09 19:48:23 UTC

In many ways, your learning management system (LMS) is the digital home for your classroom.

Students find assignments there.
You give them announcements there.
They communicate with you and with each other there.

Because you likely spend lots of time there, it's a great place to be more efficient and effective, saving you time and sanity.

Reclaim some JOY in your classroom

smurray37 — 2022-09-29 16:38:28 UTC

What brings you joy in your class?

What brings joy to your students?

Where do you find sources of creativity and how do you typically incorporate them into your classroom?

Reclaim Some Joy in Your Classroom!

smurray37 — 2022-09-29 16:40:33 UTC

What if you were able to have a 3-day weekend EVERY week?

smurray37 — 2022-09-29 16:41:48 UTC

Obviously, you still need to show up to school 5 days a week and give your best each day. But you can shift your perception of how the week is structured to maximize time for rest and recovery. Read or listen as I share:

How all days/hours are not experienced equally (some are more valuable for specific purposes, some feel longer and others shorter)
Why weekends feel too short, and how beginning them sooner is a better solution than stretching them out longer
How to approach your time each day of the week to get your most productive work done before the “long weekend” and truly relax on your time off

This article + podcast episode is a playful approach to mindset. Experiment with how you use your time so that you can have more time for everything that matters most!

How to Get Students to Focus on Learning—Not Grades

smurray37 — 2022-09-29 16:55:27 UTC

With a few shifts in the classroom, teachers can encourage students to pay more attention to the skills they are building rather than to a number or letter score.

5 Low-Stakes Activities to Help Teens Open Up

smurray37 — 2022-09-29 18:09:36 UTC

From sharing common interests to making connections through books and music, these engaging exercises provide stepping stones for teachers to build relationships in the classroom.

Why are we still doing that? The Pedagogy of Panic. Positive Alternatives to Problematic Teaching Practices

smurray37 — 2022-10-14 16:53:20 UTC

Why are we still doing that? The Pedagogy of Panic

Why are we still doing that?: Positive Alternatives

to Problematic Teaching Practices, our most recent ASCD book, focuses on problematic classroom practices that persist despite credible evidence that these practices may do more harm than good. In this article, we’d like to address those harmful practices to which we may instinctively revert due to pandemic-related learning gaps. We’ll then make a case for focusing on formative assessment, a tried-and-true approach toward accelerating learning in K-12 classrooms without the negative side effects.

My Favorite No: Learning From Mistakes

smurray37 — 2022-10-28 17:01:26 UTC

What’s in a Name?

smurray37 — 2022-10-28 21:14:51 UTC

Learning about and pronouncing students’ names correctly goes a long way toward making students feel seen.

3 Gratitude Practices That Don’t Involve Journaling

smurray37 — 2022-10-28 21:19:03 UTC

Providing unwritten ways to show gratitude allows students who prefer visual art or discussion with new pathways of expression.

6 Research-Backed Reasons to Record Important Lessons

smurray37 — 2022-11-15 16:59:53 UTC

Replacing or supplementing your lessons with instructional videos has a large impact on student learning, the research shows.

If you’ve read our feature on the research behind video-based learning, here’s a simple rule of thumb: Keep videos short if you want to keep students watching.⁣

The researchers suggest several tips for optimizing your videos:⁣

• Chunk lessons into smaller parts, using the 6-minute benchmark as a maximum duration.⁣

• Show your face, even if only for a moment. It provides a more “intimate and personal feel,” and helps to break up what can quickly become a monotonous presentation.⁣

• Opt for Khan-style tutorials—a more informal, step-by-step sketch of a problem and possible solutions—over prepared slides.⁣

• Speak normally and with enthusiasm. “There is no need to artificially slow down,” the researchers say. Students may pick up on your energy and pay more attention.

4 Reasons to Try Diagnostic Learning Experiences

smurray37 — 2022-11-15 17:25:00 UTC

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Diagnostic learning experiences show teachers what elementary students already know, setting the stage for more learning.

3 Steps to Developing an Asset-Based Approach to Teaching

smurray37 — 2022-11-15 17:28:42 UTC

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

Through this approach, which focuses on students’ strengths, teachers can plan instruction that promotes a growth mindset.

Culturally Responsive Ways to Teach the History of Thanksgiving

smurray37 — 2022-11-15 17:41:48 UTC

CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING

These resources can help middle and high school students learn about the first Thanksgiving and Native Americans today.

10 Ways to Give a Better Lecture

smurray37 — 2022-11-17 16:13:51 UTC

4 Ways to Reduce Smartphone Distractions

smurray37 — 2023-01-11 21:33:16 UTC

If students are allowed to have their phones at your school, you can set parameters to help them focus on their work.

5 Discussion Strategies to Deepen Student Engagement

smurray37 — 2023-01-11 21:41:46 UTC

For teachers seeking to facilitate rather than lead discussions, these strategies empower students to share their ideas.

4 Strategies for Building Momentum in the Spring

smurray37 — 2023-01-11 21:47:15 UTC

Middle and high school students often feel burned out in the second semester. Prioritizing movement and manageable daily objectives can help.

Translate and communicate with families

smurray37 — 2023-01-17 22:02:10 UTC

Reach all your students' families

Communicate with families in their home languages to build strong partnerships all year long.

The free ChatGPT artificial intelligence tool is a total game-changer for teachers.

smurray37 — 2023-02-06 17:24:11 UTC

There are so many ways you can teach more effectively and efficiently by automating some of the low-level aspects of your work. ChatGPT can help free you up to focus on the most important (and rewarding) aspects of your job: connecting with students, helping them think critically, synthesizing and analyzing information together, and so on.

What does a ‘thinking classroom’ look like and sound like?

smurray37 — 2023-03-06 18:55:42 UTC

Learn why this model of teaching and learning that focused on math conversations at vertical non-permanent surfaces, flexible and random groupings, small-group instruction, and problem-solving tasks and experiences is proving to have a positive impact on math learning.

Want more?
Peter Liljedahl talks with publisher, Erin Null, about teachers' frequently asked questions.
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics: Part 1
August 20, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmV5EHDNbf0&t=314s

Thinking Classrooms: interview with Peter Liljedahl

smurray37 — 2023-03-07 18:00:16 UTC

This post was supposed to be just for math teachers. I was going to share an instructional approach that, as dramatic as this sounds, has taken the math world by storm. The methodology is called Thinking Classrooms, and now that I have gotten a closer look at it, I can see that it could work in just about any content area. Built on 14 key practices, it’s a way of teaching that gets students up on their feet, collaborating and thinking through challenging problems on a daily basis.

What neuroscience teaches us about co-thriving with students

smurray37 — 2023-03-07 18:02:11 UTC

Want some practical strategies backed by brain research that can help you and your students co-thrive together?

I’m talking with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, Ph.D. She’s a school psychologist, speaker, and author on a mission to help children thrive by supporting educators, mental health providers, and families. She is the founder of The Thriving Students Collective and Thrive Hive TV™ Network, online platforms for boosting the mental health and learning needs of children. She is also my co-creator for our professional development course called How to Reverse Educator Burnout.

Read (or listen) as we discuss:

What can people who aren’t current classroom teachers add to conversations about educator burnout?
What are the brain research-based markers of thriving in life and in work?
What are some specific practices backed by neuroscience that teachers can use to make their classrooms a place where they co-thrive with kids?

When student behavior is challenging, a blend of grace + consequences can help.

smurray37 — 2023-05-08 16:58:01 UTC

Putting Curiosity at the Heart of Scientific Inquiry

smurray37 — 2023-11-03 14:50:51 UTC

When science teachers ask their classes to formulate good questions, they tap into students’ natural interest in the world around them—and build engagement and motivation.

60-Second Strategy: Jitter Sticks

smurray37 — 2023-11-03 14:51:44 UTC

When students need to get their wiggles out so they can settle down to learn, this simple movement-based brain break does the trick.

60-Second Strategy: Whiteboard Relay

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 17:37:34 UTC

The team competition is fierce in this informal assessment activity, in which students have to work together to win.

Building Problem-Solving Skills Through ‘Speed Dating’

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 17:39:04 UTC

When students solve each other’s problems, they gain confidence in their own skills and witness the power of collaboration in real time.

3 Activities That Integrate SEL Into Elementary Math

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 17:46:15 UTC

When social and emotional learning is woven into core math curriculum, elementary students can grow in their math skills, social awareness, and emotional literacy—all at the same time.

9 Brain Breaks That Teens Will Love

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 17:50:00 UTC

Students are still learning, even during brief breaks, which serve to help them decompress, refocus, and process new information.

3 Learning Myths It’s Time to Bust

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 17:52:50 UTC

Ditching these misconceptions about how the brain learns best—and following what the research really says—can help teachers better support students’ development.

Finding and Utilizing Culturally Relevant Texts

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 17:58:50 UTC

Classroom texts should represent all children in positive ways, and teachers may have to look for outside resources to make this happen. (There is a great PDF of Bloom's with question stems in this article!)

Making the Switch to Evidence-Based Grading

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 18:02:36 UTC

Why I Stopped Giving Zeros

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 18:07:01 UTC

Incorporating the Calming Corner Into Station Rotation

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 18:09:55 UTC

22 Unexpectedly Effective Teaching Hacks

smurray37 — 2023-11-28 18:15:51 UTC

How to Turn Your Classroom Into a ‘Thinking Classroom’

smurray37 — 2023-11-30 16:52:19 UTC

The researcher Peter Liljedahl evangelizes for practices that prioritize and stimulate more hard thinking in classrooms.

(Here is the link to the full article: https://www.edutopia.org/article/thinking-classroom-peter-liljedahl-math/)

Bell-to-bell instruction is NOT best practice. Here’s the research.

smurray37 — 2023-11-30 17:14:02 UTC

By Angela Watson

Founder and Writer

I recently had a great discussion with some educators about bell-to-bell instruction: the expectation that students are fully engaged in learning tasks from the first minute of the class period to the last.

Tailoring Instruction to Support English Language Learners

smurray37 — 2024-08-15 19:34:10 UTC

Better Planning for Newcomer Students

smurray37 — 2024-08-15 19:36:40 UTC

Some basic guiding questions for formulating a plan for newcomers include:

How will our newcomer have his or her basic needs met during the first few weeks of enrollment?
What vocabulary or language does the newcomer need to navigate the school day?
How can we give some sense of agency to the newcomer to ensure their specific needs are met?
What are our goals for this newcomer within the first week, month, quarter, and year?

Multilingual Newcomers Need More Than Academic Instruction

smurray37 — 2024-08-15 19:41:45 UTC

Multilingual newcomers encompass a wide variety of students from diverse experiential, cultural, linguistic, and educational backgrounds, but many enter U.S. classrooms lacking the English language skills that would allow them to equitably access content and learning. However, my experience over the last two decades has taught me that learning can actually be impeded if students’ physiological, psychological, and emotional needs are not met first.

Students who are scared, stressed, worried, or frustrated aren't efficient learners because learning can only be optimized after fundamental needs are met. The brain is not designed to prioritize abstract classroom learning over basic biological needs.