Tag: Instructional Strategies

Test Prep Reimagined: Brain-Based Strategies That Improve Student Performance

Author: Traci Hedetniemi | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application, Research | Tags: , , ,
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Sometimes, the challenge of taking a high-stakes test is less about the content itself and more about a student’s ability to access the content and manage the cognitive demands while doing so. Today, we will explore three research-supported strategies that help students strengthen and organize their long-term memory during test preparation and focus their limited … read more »

Teaching Healthy Tech Habits That Stick in the Classroom

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Digital Citizenship | Tags: , ,
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“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” —Will Durant, summarizing Aristotle If you’ve ever looked out at your classroom and felt like you were competing with a dozen glowing rectangles for your students’ attention, you are in good company. We’ve all been there: a student nodding along … read more »

Stepping Into History: Thinking Routines and Margaret Peterson Haddix

Author: Ruth Okoye | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , , , ,
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What if the best way to help students understand history — and the issues we’re still grappling with today — was to hand them a novel and ask them to try on someone else’s life? That’s exactly what Margaret Peterson Haddix had in mind when she wrote Uprising. In a video conversation about the book, … read more »

The Power of Two: Why Librarian-Teacher Collaboration is the Ultimate Classroom Hack

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application, Library Media | Tags: , ,
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You’re staring at a new unit plan, trying to figure out how to weave in media literacy, find credible primary sources, and keep thirty different students engaged—all while hitting your state standards. It feels like a solo mountain climb. But here’s the thing: you aren’t alone on that mountain. Just down the hall—or perhaps right … read more »

Every Voice Matters: Using Inquiry to Bring All Learners Into the Conversation

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: ,
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How often does this happen in your classroom? You pose a thought-provoking question, and before you even finish the sentence, the same two or three hands are already straining toward the ceiling. In the front row, you have Lexie, who thrives on the quick-fire rhythm of a live discussion. But in the back corner, there’s … read more »

Open-Ended Questions: A Powerful Tool for Language and Vocabulary Development

Author: Jennifer Williams | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: ,
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When teaching children, especially young learners, questions are more than just a way to check for understanding. They’re a gateway to deeper thinking, richer conversations, and meaningful learning. But not all questions are created equal. Open-ended questions, which invite more than a simple “yes” or “no,” encourage children to reflect, express themselves, and explore ideas. … read more »

Dig Deeper: Research Strategies That Strengthen Digital Storytelling

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , , ,
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Students open their laptops, type a topic into Google, click the first three links, and boom—they believe they’re “done with research.” The result? Their digital stories feel flat and predictable, filled with the same surface-level information anyone could gather in seconds. Digital storytelling has real potential to engage students, but only if there’s solid research … read more »

Building Daily Routines That Make Executive Function Skills Stick

Author: Traci Hedetniemi | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , 2 Comments

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 »

Middle School Reading Strategies That Build Confidence and Connection

Author: Jennifer Williams | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , 1 Comment

The magic of reading often begins in the early grades, with phonics, sight words, and the joyful discovery of stories. But the journey doesn’t end in elementary school. Middle school is a pivotal time for nurturing strong, confident, and diverse readers—especially as new distractions like phones, video games, and social media compete for students’ attention. … read more »

Building Background Knowledge: The Overlooked Equity Issue in Our Classrooms

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

When we talk about educational equity, we often focus on access to technology, culturally responsive curriculum, or closing achievement gaps. But there’s another, quieter equity issue that sits beneath all of those: students’ background knowledge. Every text a student reads, every math problem they solve, and every science concept they encounter draws on an invisible … read more »