Unlocking the Benefits Of Summer Reading

Suzanne RogersBlog, Engage Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Assigned summer reading is beneficial for students as it promotes continuous learning, enhances vocabulary and language skills, fosters critical thinking, boosts creativity and imagination, and cultivates empathy and understanding. It prevents the “summer slide” and helps students perform better academically when they return to school. Reading during the summer expands knowledge, broadens horizons, and encourages a lifelong love for … Read More

Thank you! | Ron Ritchhart | Idea Cults in Assessment

Tom SchimmerThe Tom Schimmer Podcast

In Don’t @ Me (2:19), Tom celebrates episode 100 with a thank you to listeners. Then (7:50) Tom is joined by researcher and author Dr. Ron Ritchhart to discuss how we develop cultures of thinking in our classrooms. Finally, in Assessment Corner (57:06), Tom cautions listeners against idea cults that can emerge in discussions about assessment and grading that lack … Read More

Show 84: Facilitating Effective and Valuable Student Discussions

Ken EhrmannpowerED Up Podcast

We had the pleasure of speaking with the 2022 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Morgan Rankin. She offers honest insight and reflects on her own upcoming transition from third grade to second grade. She creates an atmosphere where students feel empowered and encouraged to participate in valuable and effective conversations.  Her strategies for encouraging student voice are easy to follow … Read More

Bringing Tough Topics into the Classroom

Teach Better TeamBlog, Innovate Better, Lead Better

TL;DR: Bringing tough topics into the classroom is necessary for our students. Strategies for bringing tough topics in your classroom. I want to start by saying this: I am not the expert on tough topics in the classroom. But I have listened to many experts, those voices who have done the work, and found ways to grow myself. I bring … Read More

Strategies to Increase Critical Thinking Skills in students

Matthew JosephBlog, Engage Better, Lesson Plan Better, Personalize Student Learning Better

In This Post: The importance of helping students increase critical thinking skills. Ways to promote the essential skills needed to analyze and evaluate. Strategies to incorporate critical thinking into your instruction. We ask our teachers to be “future-ready” or say that we are teaching “for jobs that don’t exist yet.” These are powerful statements. At the same time, they give … Read More