Instructional Practices & Resources

The Lost Art of Teaching Soundly Structured Lessons

“So, what are the widely agreed-upon elements of an effective lesson that are so powerful that researcher and author Robert Marzano insists they should be “routine components” of virtually any lesson in every subject area (including so-called “inquiry” or “project-based” lessons)?"

Correction Procedure

Instructional Strategy for engaging students in quick learning opportunities.

"My turn..."

"Say/do it with me..."

"Say/do it by yourself..."

Anchor Charts

Anchor charts are a valuable teaching strategy because they serve as visual tools that support learning and help students engage with content. Here are some reasons why anchor charts are effective in the classroom:

1. Visual Support for Learning

• Anchor charts present information in a clear and organized way, making it easier for students to understand and retain concepts.

• Visuals, such as diagrams, charts, and color-coded elements, cater to visual learners and enhance memory recall.

2. Encourages Active Participation

• Students can help create anchor charts during lessons, which fosters collaboration and engagement.

• Participating in the creation process gives students a sense of ownership and increases their investment in learning.

3. Serves as a Reference Tool

• Anchor charts remain displayed in the classroom, providing a constant reference for students as they work independently or in groups.

• They reinforce key concepts and serve as reminders of prior lessons.

4. Builds Independence

• By referencing anchor charts, students can solve problems or clarify doubts on their own, reducing reliance on the teacher for immediate answers.

• This promotes self-directed learning and confidence.

5. Supports Differentiated Learning

• Anchor charts can be tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners by addressing multiple learning styles and simplifying complex ideas.

• They can include step-by-step instructions, examples, or vocabulary lists to support struggling learners.

6. Facilitates Long-Term Retention

• Repeated exposure to anchor charts helps students internalize information over time.

• They serve as a cumulative resource that students can refer to as they progress through a unit or subject.

7. Encourages Consistency

• Anchor charts provide a consistent framework for understanding key concepts, ensuring students have a shared language and approach for learning.

In summary, anchor charts are a versatile, interactive, and student-centered teaching tool that enhances learning and helps create a supportive and resource-rich classroom environment.

Anchor Charts: Making Thinking Visible

Anchor Charts vs. Posters

Anchor Charts compilation- Math: Counting     Patterns     Shapes     Measurement Literacy: sound/letter connections     rhyming     segmenting/blending

• 25 Attention Getters to Calm A Noisy Classroom

• 6 small instructional changes teachers can make for big results

• Arguments Against Using Worksheets

• Arriving at a Definition of Learning: Personalized and blended learning and differentiated instruction should be viewed as interrelated supports for deep learning

• Bias Starts as Early as Preschool, but Can be Unlearned

• Building Racial Justice and Equity (many resources)

• Calendar Time for Young Children: Good Intentions Gone Awry NAEYC 2008

• Calendar-time represents the early childhood teachers' collective identity crisis

• The Cost of Ignoring Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)

• Empathy as a Classroom Management Tool

• Emphasizing the Importance of Play During Distance Learning: For young children, play is the primary vehicle for learning, and these ideas will help ensure that they continue to have rich play experiences at home.

• FOUR PROMISING FACTORS TO CLOSE OPPORTUNITY GAPS AMONG CHILDREN OF COLOR

• A Framework for Lesson Planning

• Gradual Release of Responsibility

• Homework in Prek

• How to Tell if Early Learning Provides a Level Playing Field

• How to Use Play for Learning

• Learning Through Play But All Play Isn't Learning

• Lessons on Culturally Responsive Teaching From Black Churches: White teachers seeking to grow in their cultural competence and better engage Black students can learn from a mainstay of many Black communities.

• Magic 8: Best Practices for Pre-K Teachers

• Mat Man

• Moving More to Center with Visual Learners

• NCCAT Upcoming Programs - NCCAT provides teachers with new knowledge, skills, teaching methods, best practices and information to take back to their classrooms.

• Northhampton's Jackson Street School Plays All Day

• The Silence Dialogue

• Singing as a Tool to Facilitate Transitions: Music can be a great way to engage elementary students in routine tasks like moving from one activity to another.

• Smooth, Swift and Efficient Classroom Transitions – Why are they Important?

• Sparking Change in Teaching Practices: educators share key moments that catalyzed change

• Strategies that Work for Children with Learning Challenges

• The Student Engagement Trap, and How to Avoid It: Capturing students' interests can be harmful to learning when it's not relevant to the subject, research shows.

• Teachers go to school on racial bias (culturally responsive teaching)

• Things That Principals Know About Great Teachers

• Twenty-six studies point to more play for young children: Play has the potential to reduce inequality, report finds.

• Using Success Criteria to Spark Motivation in your Students