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Making Room for Inquiry and PBL in Scripted Classrooms
For many educators (especially at the elementary level), the desire to engage students in meaningful, inquiry-driven learning often runs up against the reality of teaching scripted programs. Whether it’s a tightly paced ELA curriculum or a math program that leaves little room for deviation, teachers may feel boxed in and unable to offer the kind of creative, student-centered experiences they know are best for deeper learning. But here’s the good news: even in a tightly scheduled, highly structured classroom, there are ways to make space for project-based learning (PBL) and inquiry. You don’t have to abandon your curriculum to honor student curiosity. You just have to get a little creative.…
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Schools Out… For Spring?
This is definitely not one of my more polished posts, but things are not feeling very polished right now. Along with every household in the nation (and world), we woke up feeling unsettled. Breaking a routine feels uncomfortable, even in the best circumstances. The loss of control sends our brains into survival mode. My oldest daughter, in particular, was feeling anxious. In an effort to settle her nerves, I wanted to give her back some control. So, we sat down together to create a family schedule for the next few weeks. Below is a quick video of the thought process behind our daily schedule. I am including a copy of…
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Constructing a Mini-Lesson: A 4 Part Framework
When my oldest daughter was four, she went through a dinosaur phase. All dinosaurs, all the time; it was impossible to discuss anything else. Throughout the year, we traveled as a family and she learned to read. Slowly, her interests began to broaden and develop, and now at the age of nine, while she is still fascinated by dinosaurs, she has an open mind about new information. New experiences and ideas allowed her to explore and, ultimately, find an appreciation for varying topics. Mini Lesson Framework: The same is true in our classrooms because students cannot think critically about nothing. Even in a learner-centered classroom, the teacher fills the critical…
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13 Tips To Improve Student Conferencing and Feedback #HackingPBL
I can’t clone you. I know you have 30 (sometimes more) kids in your class at a time and spending even 5 minutes with each individually would take an entire week of instructional time. What I can tell you, without reservation, is this time investment is worth it. Countless studies (especially the work of John Hattie) highlight the positive impact timely, specific feedback has on student self-efficacy and achievement. Even with this knowledge, finding the time to implement conferences remains a challenge. If you have spent any time thinking about student conferences, you have already come to realize that they must be brief – typically 3 to 5 minutes. A…
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Learning Lounge – PD The Relaxing Way
On a Sunday afternoon in early winter, you walk through the front door of your local bookstore. As you warm your hands and stomp the fresh snow off your feet, you glance around the store at your fellow patrons: a teenager curled up in a comfy chair reading a book, two men eagerly leaning over a laptop critiquing the contents on the screen, and a group of women actively engaged in a quick-paced debate. Each of these individuals, of course, with a delightful beverage in-hand. This cozy scene framed within in a bookstore truly encapsulates an authentic learning environment. The individuals in the store have identified conditions where they can…
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#PersonalizedLiteracy – Student Discussions
One of the things I find myself talking about a lot is our work to transition to Personalized Literacy classrooms. In classrooms where literacy is personalized, students spend time reading and writing in class. They also have the opportunity to talk about their reading and writing with teachers, classmates, and a global audience. The following is episode two in my #PersonalizedLiteracy series, where I will discuss ways to overcome some of the barriers to a learner centered literacy approach. Student Discussion Protocols Listen To The Podcast:
