What exactly is explicit instruction?

When students are new to the learning, or struggling with the learning, they likely need explicit instruction, but some might consider this approach as "drill and kill?" Dr. Anita Archer invites us to see explicit instruction as a key component to learning, to think less in categories and more in continuums.

Making Differentiation Doable

In this short video, renown educator, author, and ELL expert Larry Ferlazzo simplifies differentiation. He also leaves us with something to think about regarding what is most important in making differentiation doable.

A Compassionate Stance

Is compassion a matter of reacting to situations or is it about how intentional you are? This short video may make you rethink your definition of compassion and how to apply it to your life, or teach it to your students.

What's similar about bowling & inclusive ed?

Classroom composition and diversity is a given. But how do we reach more students? Shelly Moore, from the University of British Columbia, has a clever idea.

Child's Play?

Many of us heard this when we were children: "Well, you certainly have a good imagination!" Such a great compliment! But imagination is definitely not so-called child's play. It's a strength we teachers can empower in any and every student at any age. Why? Science says it literally builds the brain. Watch the video for the latest research and consider using visualization techniques in your classes to enhance that brain-building. Plus, it's just fun.

TL;DR? No prob.

SMMRY

Internet slang has a clever word for it: TL;DR (too long; didn't read). We agree. That's why we teachers need options for summarizing digital text. The screen snip explains it all. Check out the link. It's magic!

Got Test Anxiety?

Many of our students experience test-anxiety or lack confidence when faced with any type of assessment. These issues speak to the need for students to learn about perseverance and problem-solving and develop personal strategies around them. One such strategy might be a brain purge (sometimes called a brain dump) Despite the odd name, it could really be quite helpful.

 

So how does it work?

After learning new material over a period of time, have students do a "brain purge" on a blank page. Essentially, they dump everything they know about what they've learned. This has many uses:
1. It helps students articulate their learning.
2. It allows teachers to see "gaps" in learning.
3. It allows for teacher/peer feedback.
4. It creates a study guide before tests.
5. If done for a few minutes immediately before a test, it becomes the study guide during the test.

All of these approaches may be quite useful in removing anxiety and developing confidence in learning and assessment. What do you think?

Find out more information here at Edutopia.

What's that say?

Do your scholars endeavor to comprehend clauses with brobdingnagian vernacular? Er, what?! What we mean to say is this: do your students struggle to read passages with big words?

Recently, a teacher recommended Rewordify, a website that provides reading level and vocabulary options for digital text. And, it's very user friendly. We really hope you research it check it out.

Math: Three Different Ways

Exploring all techniques, exploring all answers, these Grade 3 math students are problem-solving without anxiety in an inclusive learning environment. Cool.

Motivation and Mindset

In the words of classic underachiever Homer Simpson, "the first step to failure is trying." Yup, it makes us chuckle too. Yet, how often and to what depth does this sort of negative self-talk impact our students and even ourselves? It's classic fixed mindset thinking.

One of the leading researchers in the field of motivation, psychology professor Carol S. Dweck's book Mindset has real insight on how to increase motivation in our classrooms--a very big challenge that all teachers face. How many of your students give up? How many persist? And why? Teachers need strategies to create growth mindsets and build perseverance.

Using information from Dweck's book, the following prezi (free to share created by Jen Schones) has motivation strategies for teachers that can help students improve their mindsets.

Got Grit?

If you're interested in teaching your students about grit, perseverance, resilience, determination, goal-setting and more, consider sharing this video with them. Plus, not only is it inspirational for them, it's inspirational for us teachers too.

Igniting Curiosity...

Remember the science-in-a-crate program? The program has been redesigned by MindFuel. Formerly The Science Alberta Foundation, MindFuel ignites curiosity, critical thinking and imagination in youth around the world. Combining innovative digital resources and real-world experiments, MindFuel creates programs designed to help educators ignite a passion for science in students of all ages. Click the link above for more information.

Blooms--Another Look

Key to thinking and learning, Bloom's Taxonomy can be represented several ways such as the example in this post. To access the rest of these questioning stems and other varieties of Blooms' Taxonomy, click here.

Inclusive Education Strategies...

Click here.

This website provide strategies for a variety of inclusive education needs such as students with anxiety, eating disorders or ADHD. Check out Alberta Education's Inclusive Ed Library as well.

Red Ink?

It appears the use of a red pen equates in the student's mind
to shouting in the same way as writing in all capitals.
(Source: AlaskaTeacher/Flickr)

According to an article in ABC Science, red pen makes students feel blue....