Search results for: lesson design

The truth is you didn’t become an instructional coach to spend your Saturdays making PowerPoint slides. Yet somehow…that’s exactly what happens. It usually starts innocently enough. “Can you lead PD next Thursday?” asks your Principal. You reply: “Absolutely!” Then reality sets in. You open a blank PowerPoint. You start searching Pinterest. You dig through old…

A few simple structures can help more students think, talk, move, and contribute, without adding more to your workload.

Imagine this scenario… You have been asked to lead professional learning next week. So, naturally, you open PowerPoint. You choose a template, create a title slide, add your key ideas, find a few visuals, and organize everything into a logical sequence. By the time you finish, the presentation looks polished. But there is still an…

Imagine this scenario: Your principal stops by your office and asks a seemingly simple question: “Can you lead professional learning next week?” You smile, say yes, and immediately begin calculating how many evenings it will take to pull everything together. You need a topic, slides, activities, participant handouts, discussion questions, facilitator notes, an action plan…

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,…

The test is done. The pressure lifts. The countdown begins. And yet, those final weeks of school matter more than we often give them credit for. It’s easy to slip into “end-of-year mode” where routines loosen and learning becomes less intentional after the test. But with a little planning, those last days can be some…

All teachers work to strengthen their classroom confidence, but this can feel especially challenging for later-career educators who are new to the profession. Stepping into a classroom after time spent in another career can bring excitement, purpose, and—at times—self-doubt. Imposter syndrome can creep in, causing even the most capable individuals to question whether they truly…

Teaching…our country is an education crisis. There are several issues causing the crisis, such as learning gaps, staff and student mental health, declining achievement outcomes for students, as well as a teacher shortage. The shortage of highly qualified teachers leading classrooms is the most alarming issue. Due to poor wages and working conditions, less people…

There’s a certain energy in the air as the calendar flips to December…excitement, anticipation, and just a little bit of chaos. The days before a long break can bring out the best (and the most distracted) sides of our students. They’re buzzing with plans, sugar, and emotions and teachers are running on coffee and countdowns.…