Instructional Strategies List

Dynamic Assessment: A Teacher’s Real-World Perspective

Mike — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 16:22:14 +0000

When I first heard about dynamic assessment, I’ll admit I was skeptical. Another educational buzzword, I thought. Another strategy that sounds great in theory but becomes just another administrative headache in practice. But after implementing it in my classroom, I’ve discovered something far more nuanced and powerful. Dynamic assessment is fundamentally different from traditional testing.

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Hope in the Midst of Classroom Chaos

Mike — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 14:02:46 +0000

As a teacher, I’ve learned that each school year brings its own unique set of challenges. This year, that challenge arrived in the form of a new student – the kind of arrival that makes every educator take a deep breath and prepare for the unexpected. When I received that dreaded email announcing a new student, I felt that familiar mix of hope and apprehension. In our profession…

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The Reality Gap: When Educational Theory Meets the Classroom

Mike — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 15:12:45 +0000

As a classroom teacher, I’ve noticed a recurring theme in education: the disconnect between those who develop educational strategies and those who implement them. Nowhere is this gap more evident than in the current push for personalized learning technology, particularly in mathematics. The sales pitch is compelling: adaptive learning programs that adjust to each student’s level…

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The Reality of Teaching in a Title I School: A Story of Growing Challenges

Mike — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 23:29:14 +0000

Every morning as I walk through the doors of my classroom, I can feel the weight of our school’s challenges. Teaching in a Title I school has always been demanding, but recent years have brought an unrelenting set of pressures that test even the most dedicated educators. This isn’t a story of triumph over adversity—it’s a raw and honest account of the daily reality of working in an underfunded…

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What is a Socratic Seminar?

Mike — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 02:27:50 +0000

The Socratic seminar is a powerful tool for teaching critical thinking and effective communication. It is a method of discussion that encourages deep thinking, active listening, and respectful dialogue. Imagine a group of people sitting in a circle, each with a different perspective on a topic. They are all eager to share their thoughts and ideas, but they also want to hear what others have to…

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7 Strategies for Creating a Positive and Engaging Math Classroom

Mike — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 23:24:57 +0000

How many times have you tried explaining the importance of math class to your students? How many times have you tried to get them to see how important basic math skills are in “real” grown-up life? Mathematics is a fundamental subject that is necessary for functioning in the modern world. It is used in a wide range of fields, including finance, science, and technology, and it is a subject that…

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The Role of Communication in Creating a Positive School Culture

Mike — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 22:25:58 +0000

Way back when I was actually a Communications/Media major in college. That was before I went on to obtain my teaching degree. People considered a degree in Communications about as useful as a degree in History. Now we are living in an age where almost everything is about a new way of communicating. Times change. If you are a teacher, you know firsthand how important it is to collaborate with…

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The High Cost of Teacher Burnout: How to Support and Retain Educators

Mike — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 22:04:40 +0000

It’s no secret that the teaching profession has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years. From burnout and low pay to lack of support and unreasonable expectations, there are many factors that can contribute to a teacher’s decision to leave the profession. According to a report by the Learning Policy Institute, teacher retention rates have been declining since the 1980s…

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Closing the Gap: Strategies for Addressing Education Disparities Caused by the Pandemic

Mike — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 21:09:19 +0000

The past couple of years have been tough for all of us, but I believe that by working together, we can come up with solutions to address the education gaps caused by the pandemic. It’s important to recognize that these gaps disproportionately affect marginalized and disadvantaged communities, who may have had less access to technology and resources or may have faced additional challenges at home…

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Teaching Students to Think Critically and Reason Effectively

Mike — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 20:07:45 +0000

I grew up being told not to believe everything you read. I think things changed when the internet came around. Suddenly people started acting like the words on an electronic screen were gospel. I’ve found myself explaining way too many times to students that they should use some of their judgment when they read something online. I think it’s our responsibility to not only impart knowledge to our…

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