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
Resources for Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Are you interested in adding more resources and professional development opportunities to enhance specially designed instruction in your division, school, or classroom? Explore our curated guide for various ways to meet this need.
May Friday 5: Building Better Acknowledgement Systems
#4 Staff Acknowledgements and Celebrations Click here to download the full pdf.
May Friday 5: Building Better Acknowledgement Systems
#4: Staff Celebrations and Acknowledgements It’s important that leaders be intentional when building a positive school climate where staff feel valued and are motivated to stay and to work hard. At the heart of a thriving school culture is the consistent recognition of the dedication, effort, and impact of every staff member—acknowledgement isn’t just appreciated,… Read More May Friday 5: Building Better Acknowledgement Systems
May Friday 5: Building Better Acknowledgement Systems
#3 Individual Student Celebrations and Acknowledgements Click here to download this resource!
May Friday 5: Building Better Acknowledgement Systems
#3 Individual Student Celebrations and Acknowledgements Building positive, thriving school and classroom communities with a culture of growth happens when effort and achievement are recognized and celebrated at the school, classroom, and individual student levels. Recognizing individual students for their effort and achievements creates a sense of belonging and increases their individual intrinsic motivation and… Read More May Friday 5: Building Better Acknowledgement Systems
Supporting Students Who Use AAC
Communication is a skill we all need to function in our various environments. In the school environment, communication is an access skill. Access skills refer to skills a student needs to access the curriculum but are not explicitly represented by the academic standards. Other access skills include gross and fine motor skills and skills referred… Read More Supporting Students Who Use AAC
A Summer Guide for Teachers of Neurodiverse Students (so… a guide for all teachers)
As the school year winds down, we celebrate your incredible dedication to neurodiverse learners. Summer is a time to recharge, but also a great moment to deepen your expertise, discover new resources, and stay connected with the autism leadership community. Whether you are looking for in-person PD, online courses, books, or podcasts, here are some ideas to get you started. Read More A Summer Guide for Teachers of Neurodiverse Students (so… a guide for all teachers)
