Number sense is the foundation for all higher-level mathematics (Feikes & Schwingendorf, 2008). But when students focus on just memorizing facts they often do so without number sense, which means they are very limited in what they can do and are prone to making errors (Boaler, 2015). The more we emphasize memorization to students the… Read More Using Number Talks to Build Fact Fluency
Self-Determination and UDL
Self-Determination Skills and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) are a winning combination for students. UDL provides opportunities for students to have choices in three important areas of instruction: how they are engaged how new content is presented how they share what has been learned Virginia’s I’m Determined Project offers tools and strategies to help students… Read More Self-Determination and UDL
Clear Rules and Expectations for Classroom Management
Clear classroom rules are explicit statements that define behavior expectations. Clear rules provide structure and organization that allow students to be more actively engaged in instructional tasks. They also help to establish a classroom climate conducive to student academic success. Learn more about rules and expectations using the video modules below. Clear Rules and Expectations:… Read More Clear Rules and Expectations for Classroom Management
Math Mindset
Jo Boaler (2013), a Mathematics Education Professor at Stanford University, describes a fixed mindset as the belief that either you’re smart or you’re not. On the other hand, a growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and smartness can be learned and that the brain can grow from exercise (Boaler, 2013). Teacher attitudes and mindset… Read More Math Mindset
Intensive Instruction: A Teacher’s Toolkit
Intensive instructional delivery that is designed for students with learning difficulties has the following characteristics. 1. It is explicit: Explicit instruction is overt teaching of steps or processes to complete a learning task. Explicit instruction includes teacher presentation, teacher modeling, and demonstration so that students are able to do what is expected and generalize a… Read More Intensive Instruction: A Teacher’s Toolkit
Universal Design for Learning
All students learn differently. There is no “one size fits all” option for classroom instruction. How can a teacher meet the needs of all students in a classroom? Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a set of principles for curriculum development that gives all individuals equal opportunities to learn. The goal of UDL is to… Read More Universal Design for Learning
Child Outcomes Summary Forms
With IEP season also comes the opportunity to revisit COS forms, including completing Time 2 data for those students transitioning to kindergarten or exiting special education. As teams summarize information on student progress to include on the COS form, it is helpful to remember: -Each outcome should reflect a student’s level of functioning across… Read More Child Outcomes Summary Forms
