October, 2024

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Compliance vs Engagement

A Principal's Reflections

One of the best aspects of the work my team and I at Aspire Change EDU do is getting into leaders as part of the coaching process. During this time, we begin to collect qualitative evidence aligned with growth opportunities that they have set during initial meetings. No matter where our travels take us, one of the most common areas districts and schools want to improve is shifting from compliance to student engagement.

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Which Content Is Most Important? The 40/40/40 Rule

TeachThought

The 40/40/40 Rule: An Overview by Terry Heick I first encountered the 40/40/40 rule years ago while skimming one of those giant (and indispensable) 400 page Understanding by Design tomes. The question was simple enough. Of all of the academic standards, you are tasked with ‘covering’ (more on this in a minute), what’s important that students understand for the next 40 days, what’s important that they understand for the next 40 months, and what’s important that they

Teaching 288
educators

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5 Conditions for Getting Formative Assessment Right

Cult of Pedagogy

Listen to my interview with Kim Marshall and Jenn David-Lang ( transcript ): Sponsored by Listenwise and Scholastic Magazines+ This page contains Amazon Affiliate and Bookshop.org links. When you make a purchase through these links, Cult of Pedagogy gets a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. What’s the difference between Amazon and Bookshop.org?

Pedagogy 270
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Reviewing the Tough TEKS for US History

Active History Teacher

If you’ve taught for any length of time, you know that r eviewing tough US History TEKS/topics is critical for student success on STAAR. You can teach the heck out of a tough topic in September, but by the test in April, the memory of those lessons are long gone. Reviewing the tough topics is critical. Here are my ideas for teaching the tough TEKS.

History 195
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Teaching the Progressive Era

Passion for Social Studies

The United States has experienced so many dynamic changes throughout its rich history. One of the most transformative periods was the Progressive Era, from the 1890s to the 1920s. During this time, the United States had to respond to the challenges posed by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and social issues. Ultimately, teaching the Progressive Era must address these concerns while showing how people had to work hard to improve society.

Teaching 130
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Classroom Seating and Student Achievement

The Effortful Educator

I’m sure I’m not the only one, but as a teacher I am borderline obsessed with creating the best learning environment for my students. Whether it is the physical appearance of the room or the method of instruction, I want to make it as efficient and effective as possible for my students to both get the information in and then provide opportunities for them to get the information out for use.

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We All Learn at a Different Pace

A Principal's Reflections

During the pandemic, I was grounded for an extensive period of time. It was quite odd and liberating not to be constantly on a plane, train, or in a rental car. Boy, did I make use of my bike since the gyms were closed. While a few of my projects continued, these were few and far between. When I traveled, there was nowhere to go and eat as everything was delivered.

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Some schools cut paths to calculus in the name of equity. One group takes the opposite approach

The Hechinger Report

BROOKLINE, Mass. — It was a humid, gray morning in July, and most of their peers were spending the summer sleeping late and hanging out with friends. But the 20 rising 10th graders in Lisa Rodriguez’s class at Brookline High School were finishing a lesson on exponents and radicals. As Rodriguez worked with two students on a difficult problem, Noelia Ames was called over by a soft-spoken student sitting nearby.

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Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Zinn Education Project

For Indigenous Peoples’ Day, here are recommended classroom resources. The People vs. Columbus, et al. Updated Version The People vs. Columbus trial has been my most successful and popular lesson. Not only do students learn the extent of the atrocities committed by Spanish colonizers, they also engage in higher order thinking on the factors that cause historical atrocities to occur.

History 143
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The mountains where Neanderthals forever changed human genetics

Strange Maps

The genomes of most modern humans contain up to 4% Neanderthal DNA. Scientists have now determined where much of that exchange likely happened: the Zagros Mountains in Iran. Around 28,000 years ago, give or take a millennium or two, the Neanderthals let out their last breath. The deathbed of our cousin species may have been Gibraltar. The natural fortress, pinned to southern Spain’s Mediterranean coast, was one of the final refuges of the Neanderthals.

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How Three Organizations Are Using GenAI to Advance Equity—and Combating Bias within It

Digital Promise

Given the rapid advances in AI and the momentum in the education field to understand how these technologies can support teaching and learning, last year the Gates Foundation launched a pilot initiative to provide funding to test new AI ideas that are in support of equitable K-12 mathematics outcomes. This is the fourth in a series of five blog posts elevating key learnings from this set of investments.

K-12 133
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Cutting Through the Fog: Why Leadership Clarity Matters

A Principal's Reflections

" Leadership clarity is the light that cuts through the fog of uncertainty, guiding others toward a clear and purposeful path." During my early years as a principal, I was literally flying by the seat of my pants. No one person or program can adequately prepare you for the realities of the job, as things are coming at you from every direction. While putting out fires comes with the territory, the real work lies in developing a learning culture prioritizing relationships and student outcomes.

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20 Questions To Help Students Think Critically About News

TeachThought

Help Students Think Critically About News With These 20 Questions This post was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2024 by Terrell Heick 1. In the article, headline, or social share, ‘who’ is saying ‘what’? That is, what specific author and publication are making what kind of claim about what topic or ideas? 2. Is what’s being stated or claimed fact or opinion?

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Why an end-of-the alphabet last name could skew your grades

The Hechinger Report

A dashboard from the Canvas learning management system is displayed to students in this college lecture hall. A University of Michigan study finds that students with last names at the end of the alphabet are penalized when instructors grade in alphabetical order, a default setting in Canvas and other widely used learning management systems (LMS). Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images If your last name starts with an A, that could mean that you’re also more likely to score an A on a test.

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Introducing the First Annual SCS Census

Society for Classical Studies

Introducing the First Annual SCS Census kskordal Tue, 10/15/2024 - 11:56 Image This 10-minute survey, developed by the SCS Data Committee, aims to provide a picture of the field of Classical Studies in 2024—because we can’t know where we are going until we know where we are. Like the US Census, the SCS Census has the mission to provide timely, accurate, and actionable information about the field to its members, including decision-makers at all levels.

Research 136
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People Are Not Peas—Why Genetics Education Needs an Overhaul

Sapiens

The decades out-of-date genetics taught in most U.S. schools stokes misconceptions about race and human diversity. A biological anthropologist calls for change. ✽ On a lengthy bus ride in the early 1970s, University of Chicago geneticist Richard Lewontin passed the time by doing some novel math. Lewontin usually kept to the laboratory, studying proteins derived from ground-up fruit flies.

Ancestry 135
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For Girls to Succeed in STEM, Confidence Matters as Much as Competence

ED Surge

One of Shane Woods’ favorite memories as executive director of Girlstart, a nonprofit that aims to empower girls in the sciences, was as a participant taking her own goddaughter to the organization’s back-to-school extravaganza. Parsing education data into snack-sized servings. They zipped through activities with rockets and robots, and Woods asked her goddaughter — named Sailor — what she thought of it all when they were heading home.

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The Art of Justifying Change

A Principal's Reflections

Change is an inevitable constant in education. If it isn’t, it surely should be. While it can be met with resistance, effective leaders understand that it is often necessary for growth, innovation, and, most importantly, to meet the needs of students. As a principal, I vividly remember spearheading several major change initiatives such as improved grading practices, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), selection and implementation of a new evaluation system, development of the Academies at NMHS, adopti

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A Visual Exploration Of Why Play Is Necessary For Learning

TeachThought

We make lasting connections through play, but the role of play in learning is an idea that continues to meet resistance. Part of the reason could be tone. We like our learning serious, intentional, and academic. This is reflected through a parallel insistence on an outcomes-based learning system where learning objectives are determined and assessments are written before hand, and subsequent instruction is revised based only on data taken from said assessments.

Teaching 226
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Dual enrollment has exploded. But it’s hard to tell if it’s helping more kids get a college degree

The Hechinger Report

Share of new college students in the fall of 2015 who were still in high school and taking a dual enrollment class. Map reprinted from The Postsecondary Outcomes of High School Dual Enrollment Students A National and State-by-State Analysis (October 2024) Community College Research Center. Dual enrollment is exploding. During the 2022-23 school year, nearly 2.5 million high school students took college classes, simultaneously earning high school and college credits.

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How One District is Scaling Student Tech Teams to Support Sustainable Technology Systems

Digital Promise

The post How One District is Scaling Student Tech Teams to Support Sustainable Technology Systems appeared first on Digital Promise.

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Teaching about Judaism, Christianity & Islam

Future of History

Teaching about Judaism, Christianity and Islam needs to be a staple in middle school world history and culture classes. On the anniversary of October 7, Lauren Brown points out misconceptions and offers resource ideas to help counter students' frequent confusion. The post Teaching about Judaism, Christianity & Islam first appeared on MiddleWeb.

Teaching 119
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Education Conferences Across England to Turn Climate ambition into action: Be a Part of It!

Geogramblings

In this article: Climate and Nature Action in Education launch events across England Teachers and School Staff: Request a Climate Ambassador and support from Sister Projects Individuals and Organisations: Onboard as a Climate Ambassador Networking opportunities for Climate Action in the East of England Climate and Nature Action in Education launch events across England This section is adapted text from “UEA hosts education conference as part of national climate scheme turning ambition into

Education 115
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The True Appearance of Prehistoric Europeans: Dark Skin & Blue Eyes

Anthropology.net

The Reality of Ancient European Appearance A fascinating look into Europe’s prehistoric past is challenging modern perceptions of skin pigmentation. Ancient DNA analyses indicate that prehistoric Europeans possessed a phenotype that contrasts sharply with today’s northern European populations. The discovery of this information, however, has sparked controversy, as some struggle to reconcile the scientific evidence with contemporary understandings of race and identity.

Museum 116
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The Role of Gamification in Modern Education

TeachThought

The Role of Gamification in Modern Education Gamification is used in many fields and industries. It is meant to promote customer loyalty in business: ” Find a discount among our 5 latest emails to get 50% off dedicated server hosting.” It’s a little different in education. Gamification in education aims to provide a more interactive learning experience for students while providing evidence of their progress through rewards.

Education 214
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2 out of 5 child care teachers make so little they need public assistance to support their families

The Hechinger Report

Caring for children during their first few years is a complex and critical job: A child’s brain develops more in the first five years than at any other point in life. Yet in America, individuals engaged in this crucial role are paid less than animal caretakers and dressing room attendants. That’s a major finding of one of two new reports on the dismal treatment of child care workers.

Economics 136
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How I Became Invisible as a Teacher of Color in the Classroom

ED Surge

It is the weekend before my students arrive for the new school year. I am in my classroom listening to Lofi beats, pondering what has been and what is to come. All around my room are reminders of my identity as a 6’2, 280-pound Black and Puerto Rican man, husband, father, math teacher and basketball coach. I have come to find solace here; yes, these are part of my identity, which I hold dear to my heart — but as I have grown older, I have learned that few people ever see beyond them, including t

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Unraveling a “Ghost” Neanderthal Lineage

Sapiens

Remains in France found by archaeologists and geneticists suggest at least two lineages—not just one—of late Neanderthals in Europe. This article was originally published at The Conversation and has been republished under Creative Commons. ✽ The prevailing narrative of how humanity came about seemed straightforward enough: In what is today Europe, the last Neanderthals bowed out as Homo sapiens began arriving on the continent around 40,000 to 45,000 years ago.

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Christian Inclusion

Ben Newmark

Six years ago, my wife and I learned our then one-year-old daughter Bessie had been born with a rare genetic condition called Williams Syndrome – it’s fascinating and you should look it up. It means with some very distinctive and charming personality features, Bessie lives with a life-long learning disability. This is not something gone wrong. It is not a problem.

Tradition 111
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Transforming K-12 Education with AI: A New Report with Insights from 28 Exploratory Projects

Digital Promise

A new report shares learnings from a cohort across K-12 education that tested ways to leverage AI toward equitable outcomes for students.

K-12 115
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Tone As A Cause And Effect Of Learning

TeachThought

Tone As A Cause And Effect Of Learning by Terrell Heick In 20 Words That Can Affect How Students Think, , we said “Tone affects how students see themselves and their role in the learning process. In fact, a student’s own ongoing internal dialogue and thoughts about themselves and their self-identity as learners isn’t just a ‘factor’ in learning but one of the single most important factors.” This is central to the principle and practice of Social-Emotional Learning (and strategies for

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Some colleges aim financial aid at a declining market: students in the middle class

The Hechinger Report

WATERVILLE, Maine — For Emily Kayser, the prospect of covering her son’s college tuition on a teacher’s salary is “scary. It’s very stressful.” To pay for it, “I’m thinking, what can I sell?” Kayser, who was touring Colby College with her high school-age son, Matt, is among the many Americans in the middle who earn too much to qualify for need-based financial aid, but not enough to simply write a check to send their kids to college.

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What Can AI Chatbots Teach Us About How Humans Learn?

ED Surge

Do new AI tools like ChatGPT actually understand language the same way that humans do? It turns out that even the inventors of these new large language models are debating that very question — and the answer will have huge implications for education and for all aspects of society if this technology can get to a point where it achieves what is known as Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI.

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Confronting Social Dogma with Anthropological Op-Eds: An Interview with Mark Mansperger, Darby Stapp, and Victoria Boozer

Anthropology News

Op-eds are an important vehicle for anthropologists to bring their ideas and arguments to a broader audience. Over the past 20 years, Mark Mansperger (professor, Washington State University-Tri-Cities) has published more than 45 op-eds in the Tri-City Herald , on topics ranging from politics to economics to the environment. The Journal of Northwest Anthropology (JONA) has just released Mark’s memoir, My Ideological Battle: Confronting Social Dogma with Anthropological Op-Eds.

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5 Reasons My Class Begins with Retrieval Practice (Almost) Daily

The Effortful Educator

For the past six or seven years I have started my class (almost) every day the same way…with retrieval practice. This is usually a quick review of information covered from the last class meeting or of information we’ve covered in past lessons that directly relate to what we will discussing today. Four or five multiple-choice questions, a short-answer question or two, labeling a diagram…the type of questions posed change from time to time, but the idea that students need to retr

History 110
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What We’re Learning About AI’s Potential—And Limits—for Personalizing Educational Content

Digital Promise

The post What We’re Learning About AI’s Potential—And Limits—for Personalizing Educational Content appeared first on Digital Promise.

Education 121
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Innovative Tips For Protecting Your Business Assets

TeachThought

Innovative Tips for Ensuring Your Business Assets Are Well-Protected There are many obstacles to navigate when running a business. Challenges are around every corner, and one wrong move can cost you. But what if you could remove some of those risks, especially when protecting your business assets? Keeping everything safe can be daunting whether it’s your physical equipment or digital data.

Cultures 192