N.A.B.S. Study

(Not A Book Study)

Let's have a conversation! Our Not a Book Study (NABS) Study is intended to provide a risk-free inquiry journey into topics and high-interest discussion items that can help us to broaden our perspectives, to better understand our education world, and to learn from and with each other. Follow along & engage in our conversations on Twitter using our hashtag #CCSDigitalLearning.

From February 2022

FEEL THE LOVE 💟

Do your students love school?

Does your SCHOOL love STUDENTS?

Q1: What does it look like when a student loves school?

Q2: What does it look like when a school loves its students?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW? 🤔

Several years ago, a teacher asked her students to complete the sentence "I Wish My Teacher Knew..." She shared some responses on Twitter, and the hashtag went viral.

Q1: In 2022, what would students share?

Q2: What strategies have you used to learn more about your students?

THIS OR THAT FEEDBACK 🙌

Feedback is a critical part of the learning cycle for students. What we say and how we say it can make a difference.

Q1: What is the hardest type of feedback to provide?

Q2: How can we help students develop quality feedback (peer feedback or self feedback)?

DO YOU HAVE THE VISION? 👓

Tired of the same instructional units and the same student outcomes? Try a Unit Vision Board to innovate and reinvigorate your classroom and student learning.

Q1: How would a unit vision board help your students?

Q2: How could students help construct the vision board?

👉HANDS-ON|MINDS-ON🧠

It might be "hands-on learning," but is it "minds-on learning"? Student projects may be fun, but authentic student engagement and learning may be missing.

Q1: What is necessary to ensure "MINDS-ON" learning for students?

Q2: How do you know when students are "MINDS-ON"?

HEARD 🎧

Learners of ALL ages love a read-aloud. The benefits or incorporating audio in the classroom are many, especially for increasing literacy and fluency for all students.

Q1: What statistic on the infographic surprises you?

Q2: Where can you incorporate more audio in your classroom? How can students contribute to the audio library?

From October 2021

SLOW CHAT, PLEASE 🧐

Take a look at the ideas or statements shared. and let's "chat"! Use the Zoom chat feature or engage on Twitter as these ideas are posted for the group.

Use the hashtag #CCSDigitalLearning so we can follow the discussion. Build on what others share, contribute your own ideas, and connect with your colleagues!

SHOOT FOR THE MOON 🌚

Who is holding you back? Sometimes it is the person in the mirror! "Moonshot thinking" can help us imagine the impossible and accomplish our goals.

Q1: What would you describe as your "moonshot"? What would you need to take that shot?

Q2: How do we help students shoot for the moon?

SOUNDS LIKE ______ 👂

Sometimes we don't realize what we will miss until it's gone! Watch this video to understand more about what this educator missed during remote learning: Noise.

Q1: What are some keywords or phrases that resonated with you?

Q2: How would you define the "sound of learning" that the speaker mentions?

YOU TALKING TO ME? 🗣

What we say and how we say it can matter! Check out the chart shared in this article for examples of how teacher talk can shift to help build more student ownership.

Q1: What difference do you find between the left and right columns in this chart?

Q2: What are examples from your own experience that could be shifted to provide for more student ownership?

ENGAGEMENT? OFF! 🔐

Students can face cognitive challenges preventing them from fully engaging. Check out the table included in this article from ASCD to better understand how you can help.

Q1: The Challenges and Barriers listed may sound familiar! What do you notice and wonder about this list?

Q2: What has your own approach been to remove the barriers?

PHONE IT IN ✆

Are you ever embarrassed by your phone's Weekly Status Report? This Twitter author is leveraging her time on the phone by writing her own personal affirmation.

Q1: What are your strategies for managing the "Mobile Monster"?

Q2: What's your favorite phone app? What's so great about it?

YOUR LOVED ONES 💟

An educator's job is never easy, and the past 1.5 years have taken a toll on everyone in our lives! Check out the video below of a teacher working from home, and then reflect on these questions:

Q1: How have your loved ones been affected?

Q2: What strategies have you found that make a difference for your loved ones?

Q3: What resources have made an impact for you and your loved ones?

THINGS I LIKE ABOUT... ✅

Students are at the heart of what we do every day. Sometimes it's helpful to remember the things that we like about them! Check out this teacher's version:

Q1: What is on your list of the things that you like about your students?

Q2: How do you let them know that they are important in your class/school?

Q3: What do you think they say about you? "Things I like about Mr/Ms. ______"