One of the most powerful teaching and learning practices is providing specific, timely feedback (Hattie, 2008). Feedback can take the form of acknowledgement and praise or error correction to help guide learners in strengthening new skills. This week’s post and accompanying module focuses on best practices for respectful, dignified, and effective error correction. The linked… Read More Effective Classroom Practices to Get Ready for the New School Year: #4 Feedback for Growth: Error Correction
Effective Classroom Practices to Get Ready for the New School Year: #1 Procedures and Routines
As we embark on a new school year, most educators are planning to use a teaching matrix to develop and model expectations within the learning environment. Using a classroom matrix (Robbie et al., 2022, pg. 4) that aligns with the language of the school-wide matrix (Robbie et al., 2022, pg. 5) is critical for success…. Read More Effective Classroom Practices to Get Ready for the New School Year: #1 Procedures and Routines
Meaningful Mindset Shifts for Teaching, Learning, and Community
The way we view the world, education, our classrooms, and the students and families we serve is often influenced by numerous factors including the beliefs, values, and assumptions we have developed through our experiences and environments. We may often be unaware of them, yet they are one of the primary drivers of our actions. During… Read More Meaningful Mindset Shifts for Teaching, Learning, and Community
Mindset Shifts: Building Balanced Partnerships
Intentionally shifting our mindset around shared decision-making can be scary, yet can also be empowering. Ensuring your team embraces the power of including different voices to make changes can wield truly innovative, sustainable shifts in the culture of your school. Inviting stakeholders, those who are truly representative of your community, to be active participants in… Read More Mindset Shifts: Building Balanced Partnerships
Mindset Shifts: Expanding our View of Acknowledgement
Taking an instructional approach towards behavior is critical when establishing supportive, consistent learning environments. However, while behavior specific praise is a powerful tool that helps to shape behavior in the classroom, viewing acknowledgement through a broader lens can truly transform classroom communities. Consider how simple and welcoming gestures can also serve as a supportive strategy… Read More Mindset Shifts: Expanding our View of Acknowledgement
Mindset Shifts: Teaching for the Classroom and Beyond
An instructional approach to supporting students’ behavioral change and social skill acquisition isn’t just about decreasing referrals and the rate of off-task behavior in the classroom. At all ages and developmental stages, teaching learners new or needed skills to navigate the educational environment can positively impact their academic achievement and lifetime social experiences. This week… Read More Mindset Shifts: Teaching for the Classroom and Beyond
IEP Meeting Discussions as the First Step to Inclusion
Improving inclusive programming for 2–5-year-olds can often feel overwhelming. High-quality inclusive classrooms require commitment from individuals at every level of the system. Teachers and support staff apply classroom-based practices to support inclusive settings, while administrators collaborate with teams and families to build the necessary infrastructure to sustain the program. With so many components involved in supporting children with IEPs in early childhood classrooms, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Read More IEP Meeting Discussions as the First Step to Inclusion
Free VESOL Resources
The Virginia Essentialized Standards of Learning (VESOL) are fairly new, so it can be tricky to find great resources. Since searching the internet for ideas can be time consuming, we are pleased to serve up this batch of links and ideas. Enjoy! VESOL Lesson Plans for T-TAC ODU In the spring of 2023, T-TAC ODU hired… Read More Free VESOL Resources
Supporting Nonspeaking Students on the Spectrum: Training Opportunities and Resources
Communication is a basic human right, and nonspeaking students should have access to tools that help them express themselves. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, along with training for educators and caregivers, are essential for full participation in school and society. Free resources are available to support students and ensure communication goes beyond spoken words. Read More Supporting Nonspeaking Students on the Spectrum: Training Opportunities and Resources
Tis the Season for Gift Giving – Assistive Technology Style
We are in the season for giving and receiving gifts. Toys and games are on many holiday lists. Selecting gifts with Assistive Technology supports can help children be more engaged and play independently. Sometimes just a large knob, velcro, or audio support can make all the difference. Finding and acquiring toys and games which are… Read More Tis the Season for Gift Giving – Assistive Technology Style
VLA Walkthrough Look-Fors: There’s an HLP for That!
Beyond utilization of high-quality instructional materials, effective teaching strategies are essential for fostering student success. The purpose of the Virginia Literacy Act’s Literacy Walkthrough Tool is to support administrators, teachers, and reading specialists in the implementation of evidence-based literacy instruction to improve student learning. When aligned with Ceedar Center’s High Leverage Practices (HLPs), it is… Read More VLA Walkthrough Look-Fors: There’s an HLP for That!
Five Effective Approaches to Address Interfering Behaviors: Classroom Disruptions
Building Self-Regulation Skills and Supports How often do you observe classroom disruptions such as students being out of their seats unexpectedly, using objects like pencils or other items to tap, and making noises that seem disruptive or at the very least irritating? What about the students who frequently bump into others and have difficulty maintaining… Read More Five Effective Approaches to Address Interfering Behaviors: Classroom Disruptions
Five Effective Approaches To Address Interfering Behaviors: Attention-Seeking Behavior
Reframing Attention with Connection How many times have we observed loud and disruptive behavior in the classroom that we quickly labeled as attention-seeking? These behaviors occur when a student does something to get a response from another student or adult (Minahan & Rappaport, 2012). Unfortunately, this perspective alone may lead us to view the behavior… Read More Five Effective Approaches To Address Interfering Behaviors: Attention-Seeking Behavior
