Building Daily Routines That Make Executive Function Skills Stick

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In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we introduced and defined core executive function (EF) skills and highlighted Chrome browser tools that support students in developing these skills. We are now ready to focus on the critical step of implementation. We’ve established that executive function skills are teachable – not fixed traits; the … read more »


Chrome Tools That Support Executive Function and Lighten Cognitive Load

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In Part 1 of our blog series, we examined ten key executive functioning skills and why they are critical to improving academic achievement. Today, we focus on how to bolster students’ executive functioning skills and explore strategies to leverage Chrome browser features to support them. These tools are more than productivity hacks; just like when … read more »


Understanding Executive Functioning Skills: Your Students’ Brain Command Center 

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Professional Learning, Research, Social Learning, Virtual Learning
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Imagine a teacher starts a lesson with this prompt: You have 10 minutes for your warm-up. The instructions are in Google Classroom. You’re going to open the link to the primary source article, read the first two sections, and then, in a new Google Doc, please write a three-sentence summary of the author’s main argument. … read more »


Beyond 10/10 – Making the Metric System Stick All Year Long

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October 10 may be a perfect 10 out of 10 day for teaching about the metric system, but achieving fluency with measurement is a year-long task. October is an opportune time for this essential mathematical learning.  While students have been developing their number sense in other areas, now they can work on building a conceptual … read more »


Deeper Thinking with Perspective-Taking Routines

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In today’s interconnected world, developing perspective-taking skills in high school students is not just a pedagogical goal; it’s essential for fostering critical thinking, empathy, and digital citizenship. These skills are integral to shaping today’s high school graduates, and educators play a significant role in turning this abstract goal into concrete instructional practices that encourage students … read more »


The Power of Parent Partnership in Virtual Learning

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Interest in virtual school settings grew exponentially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to influence educational models today. Recent statistics indicate that more than 562,659 students were enrolled in virtual schools in the United States during the 2022-2023 school year. This viable learning option offers unique opportunities, such as greater flexibility to address the specific needs … read more »


From Code Talkers to Coding: Building Critical Thinking with Digital Tools 

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Every August 14, we observe a day of profound significance: National Navajo Code Talkers Day. This day honors the Native American soldiers who used their intricate and unwritten language to create an unbreakable code during World War II. This historical event not only showcases the elegance and power of codes, but also the ingenuity needed … read more »


Magnifying Metacognition: Reclaiming the “Messy Middle” in Math Instruction

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In today’s fast-paced age of technology, students often prioritize finding immediate answers rather than focusing on thinking to grow their understanding. With ever-growing access to AI, students can turn to chatbots as personal assistants who can even give them the “work” their teacher requested to support their answers. But math teachers will tell you that … read more »


Making Math Meaningful: Reimagining “Real World” Problems in Math

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The question, “When will I ever use this?” is common in middle and high school math classrooms. While students sometimes throw this question out when they want to dig in their heels and avoid work, it’s a valid concern that teachers need to address. Adolescent motivation wanes when the intent and purpose of learning don’t … read more »


Top Tips for Reimagining Virtual Learning Days 

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Whether planned or unexpected, virtual learning days often fill teachers with anxiety or dread. At the same time, students may discount virtual learning and not view it as a “real” school day. But if we can think of virtual days as opportunities, they have tremendous potential to offer powerful learning experiences for students. The key … read more »