In What Great Principals Do Differently Todd Whitaker sets out a clear and understandable path to success and demystifies some of the unique aspects of school leadership. Any school leader will find value, reinforcement, and solid advice, writes educator Becky Johnson.
How schools are handling standardized tests this pandemic year has really varied. Michelle Russell spent eight school days prepping students for her state’s math accountability exam, which they took last week. What paid off? What didn’t? Was it worth the time and effort?
Cris Tovani has written a true page turner to assist all teachers with literacy strategies that will captivate their most reluctant students. “Why Do I Have to Read This?” begins with insights into the many masks of reading resistance that students wear, says Linda Biondi.
To celebrate Women’s History Month, middle grades teacher Kasey Short offers a list of nonfiction and fiction books representing a wide range of girl’s and women’s voices and experiences. All students benefit from reading about smart, brave women who make positive impacts.
Podcasts / Reading for the 21st Century
by Alex Valencic · Published 03/08/2021 · Last modified 03/09/2021
Professional books play an important role in every savvy educator’s growth and development. Podcasts can serve the same purpose, writes instructional leader Alex Valencic. Podcasts not only stimulate our thinking, they lead us to new authors and help us expand our PLNs.
Evaluating the K-12 Literacy Curriculum is a valuable resource for facilitating teams through the overwhelming yet vital task of auditing programs, materials and instructional approaches, writes educator Abby Markley, noting its user friendly organization.
Online journaling offers students a place to document feelings, thoughts, and reactions to a variety of texts while they make personal, social and academic connections with their teacher. Rose and Walsh offer a process that can strengthen conferencing now and after Covid.
Systems Thinking / Wide Open Learning
by Megan Kelly · Published 03/02/2021 · Last modified 03/03/2021
If we want kids to transfer and integrate their learning, they need thinking strategies they can apply in many situations. In her school, writes Megan Kelly, as students acquire ‘systems thinking’ skills, they begin to discover interconnectedness everywhere they look.
As school leaders navigate challenging times, roadside assistance from higher-ups can be invaluable. Award-winning middle school principal Jessica Cabeen shares five practices she’s developed to make sure the paths of communication and support stay open now and in the future.
In Unconventional Leadership, Minnesota principal Jessica M. Cabeen offers principals extensive resources to move beyond the office and become more connected, collaborative, and creative leaders, writes social studies teacher and school PD director Becky Johnson.
