Search results for: differentiation

Differentiation is one of those words that can make teachers immediately feel behind. You may picture multiple lesson plans, different assignments for every student, complicated grouping systems, and hours of additional preparation. Before long, you are trying to create five versions of the same lesson while also managing behavior, grading papers, answering emails, and figuring…

Maximizing small-group instruction is one of the most effective ways to accelerate student learning. It creates space for targeted practice, immediate feedback, and the kind of individualized support that whole-group instruction simply can’t provide. Typically, teachers introduce a new skill during whole-group instruction and gather both informal and formal data to assess understanding. From there,…

Cultivating quality teaching and learning is the main goal for school leaders. When instruction is appropriate and rigorous, then students are able to achieve at high levels. It’s a double benefit when we improve the quality of teaching and learning happening in classrooms. This post will reveal a three prong method for cultivating quality teaching…

The inconsistent quality of teaching among staff members is emerging as an obstacle in teacher leadership. The Common Core set out to ensure every classroom, regardless of state of residence, taught the same content at the same level. Now many states have replaced Common Core with their own state specific requirements for teaching. This means…

Providing professional development on lesson design can be quite fruitful for teachers. Lesson design is a deliberate practice where teachers plan on a macro and micro level, meaning they zoom in and out to ensure all lessons are aligned and thorough. The skill of designing lessons can be hard to master, but consistent practice builds…

Collaborative planning is a strategy whereby teachers sit together to develop cohesive, aligned lesson plans for all subject areas. Schools utilize this process in various ways which impacts the results. When expectations differ among school sites, the effectiveness of the developed lesson plans differ within the same district. Over time, poor collaborative planning habits create…

Classroom management  that is effective creates more time on task for student learning. This creates more rounds of practice to solidify new learning and increase learning outcomes. When teachers are consistent in their classroom management practices, students reap the benefits! This post will explore 3 ways to improve classroom management practices in the classroom. Relationships…

Accountable collaboration allows colleagues to work together productively in order to reach a common goal. Often, colleagues work in collaborative teams without accountability. In return, the team is limited in the results it can achieve together. By adding an accountability element to the collaboration, colleagues have clarity in how their efforts contribute to the achievement…