Powerful Catalyst: Black History Month

Suzanne RogersBlog, Lead Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Black History Month sparks crucial conversations on social justice, empowering K-12 students to challenge inequities and advocate for a fairer society. By highlighting African American achievements, the month promotes empowerment, instills pride, and helps students embrace their heritage, fostering resilience and confidence. Beyond celebrating accomplishments, Black History Month enhances cultural appreciation, fostering empathy and respect, and creating a more … Read More

Tapestry of Formative Assessment

Suzanne RogersBlog, Engage Better, Grade Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Formative assessment is vital for effective teaching, offering real-time insights into student progress. Tom Schimmer advocates for diverse approaches, including thoughtful questioning, Socratic seminars, and one-on-one conferencing. Peer reviews, interactive technology, and strategies like think-pair-share enrich formative assessments, promoting collaboration and critical thinking. Tapestry of Formative Assessment Formative assessment is a tapestry and the heartbeat of effective teaching, offering … Read More

Why Start Podcasting?

Dana GoodierBlog, Connect Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Plan your podcast’s length, guest criteria, and distribution channels to increase chances of success beyond 10 episodes. Consider your social media presence and marketing strategy to effectively reach and engage with your target audience. Decide on the episode release format (seasonal or continuous) and allocate time wisely, considering potential collaboration and outsourcing options. You may wonder if you should … Read More

Teaching Students to Tackle Problem-Solving

Lisa JonesBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Teach problem-solving through engaging challenges in middle school career technical education. Daily prompts require students to restate problems in their own words before attempting solutions. Shift from large projects to 1 to 2-day mini-challenges, enhancing student engagement and managing activities more effectively. One of the skills I’ve noticed that many students struggle with is problem-solving. Often, when you give … Read More