What is the key?

What is the key to successful student learning?  There are many answers, but they all start with this:  a positive relationship between the student and teacher.  What's your relationship with your students?
(photo by mconners)

Supporting Learners

Do you have students who need extra support from you?  I did when I was a teacher.  It seemed that certain students just always needed that extra step.  It's important to recognize that we do need to support learners with strategies such as modeling, but we also need to teach students to learn to do it themselves.  Think of it like a bike:  training wheels, then hand on the back of the seat, then by themselves!

Teachers and Students

Do you think our students are ever overwhelmed?

A Riddle About Rigor

From one of my recent presentations (teachers love the riddle activity):

I am present in most classrooms.
Some people think I'm only for top students.
I provide that "boost" to learning.
I take you out of your comfort zone.
What am I?

RIGOR!!!!

Supporting Learners with the Common Core

Did you miss this short, ten-minute podcast?  Although geared for leaders, the classroom strategies are perfect for all struggling learners.  Some of the material comes from my upcoming book, Rigor for Students with Special Needs.  More on that when I know a publication date!

What Are We Learning Today?

Resources for the Common Core: Math

Recently, I shared a LiveBinder from NC for the ELA standards.  Today, take a look at this LiveBinder from the state of Michigan focused on the Math Common Core Standards.  Ron Williamson, co-author of my leadership books, lives in Michigan, so I'm feeling very connected to these LiveBinders!