Building Classroom Community in a Virtual World

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better

TL;DR: Strategies for building classroom community in a virtual world include using a user-friendly online platform, teaching expectations, utilizing breakout groups, assigning roles, creating goals, having a plan for students to seek assistance, providing opportunities for communication, and celebrating successes. Learning environments are crucial for providing students with opportunities to exercise their strengths and to overcome their weaknesses. A school … Read More

How can I implement the Grid virtually?

Meghan HoseyBlog, GRID FAQ, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Mastery Done Better

TL;DR: Implement the Grid virtually by creating a daily routine, setting expectations, making the Grid easily accessible, keeping it simple, using videos, keeping yourself organized, assessing students in a variety of ways, and communicating with stakeholders often. Adjusting to a new learning structure can take time for you and your students. Give yourself grace as you and your students adapt … Read More

Student Engagement without Technology

Jennifer AppelBlog, Differentiate Better, Engage Better

TL;DR: Schools can keep students engaged without the use of technology by using hands-on approaches. Giving students choice and voice in their learning are two simple ways to increase engagement. Makerspaces allow students to innovate and be creative! Engagement without Technology: Foster Creativity and Student Choice During an era of YouTube, Netflix, and Google, can we capture the attention of … Read More

Facilitating Small Group Instruction to Meet Student Needs

Teach Better TeamBlog, Differentiate Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: Small group instruction and one-on-one conferences are possible this year. Five tips to make these types of instruction happen – whether you’re fully virtual or hybrid. In my classroom, like many others, small group instruction is a cornerstone of our structure. In fact, a majority of the teaching I do is done in a small group model. I work … Read More