Catlin Tucker

JUNE 16, 2024

How can we create a learning environment where each student feels confident applying the knowledge and skills they’re acquiring? This approach often fails to recognize and accommodate the diverse ways students understand and express their knowledge. This could be a specific skill, concept, or knowledge area.

History 382

History Art Essay Physical Education 382

Ask a Tech Teacher

OCTOBER 16, 2024

Here are eleven projects to teach kids authentically, blended with your regular lessons, the often complicated topic of becoming good digital citizens, knowledgeable about their responsibilities in an Internet world. Discuss what this looks like. After a thorough discussion on this, have students create a comic in Storyboard That!

Grades 179

Grades Teaching Internet Discussions 179

Catlin Tucker

OCTOBER 7, 2020

Present-Pause-Discuss. When teachers feel pressure to cover the curriculum or keep up with a pre-pandemic pacing guide, it is easy to understand why they spend more time introducing information and less time supporting students as they attempt to master content knowledge or skills. This is where “less is more” is critical.

Blended Learning 546

Blended Learning Coaching Feedback Discussions 546

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

Who decided that grading and assessment should be the exclusive responsibility of teachers? Self-assessment shifts the focus from a grade-centric perspective to a learning-centric one. When teachers grade these exercises, it creates anxiety among students still grappling with new concepts or skills.

Evaluation 428

Evaluation Assignments Failure Discussions 428

eSchool News

APRIL 23, 2025

Highlights include new Math Talks for grades 3-5, which feature activities focused on making sense of mathematics through open-ended prompts and rich student discussions, Daily Fix-Its and Weekly Edits, which are teacher-led presentations targeting common student grammar errors, and more. The new civics-focused series, Need toKnow Jr.,

Laboratory 191

Laboratory Social Studies Education Middle School 191

Catlin Tucker

MARCH 30, 2020

For teachers using StudySync in combination with Google Classroom, I’ve described three strategies that educators can use to capitalize on the activities in the StudySync First Read lesson plans to engage students in online discussions, collaborative research projects, and online vocabulary review. #1 You can check them out here.

Collaborative Research 370

Collaborative Research Students Knowledge Assignments 370

Catlin Tucker

JUNE 21, 2021

Do you consistently anchor your design in grade level standards and articulate clear learning objectives? lecture, discussion, written responses), there are myriad barriers that may make it hard for students to access information and share their learning effectively. Create Flexible Pathways. Do they get to make meaningful choices?

Blended Learning 518

Blended Learning Learning Lecturing Motivation 518

eSchool News

MARCH 19, 2025

Established in 2005, Agora Cyber Charter School is an online public school for Pennsylvania students in kindergarten through 12th grade that is accredited by the Middle States Association. This is especially felt in the 5 th grade science and math classes I teach. Gizmo is an interactive STEM learning experience for grades 3-12.

Teachers 308

Teachers Learning Science STEM 308

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

In my previous post, I focused on strategies teachers can use before a lesson to assess prior knowledge. In addition to determining where each student is starting in terms of their content knowledge or skills, teachers should collect data during the lesson to gauge what students know.

Coaching 419

Coaching Learning Students Knowledge 419

eSchool News

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Key points: ChatGPT is here to stay, and it’s wise to now consider it a part of learning In fact, every assignment moving forward must be graded with ChatGPT in mind See related article: How educators can navigate AI-driven plagiarism You may have heard of ChatGPT. How are teachers supposed to grade these efforts?

Essay 338

Essay Plagiarism Assignments Learning 338

eSchool News

OCTOBER 21, 2024

It was the beginning of sixth grade, braces, and the descent into the digital world. In his widely discussed 2024 book “The Anxious Generation,” social psychologist Jonathan Haidt details how the cultural shift from a “play-based childhood” to a “phone-based childhood” corresponds to the spike in adolescent mental illness.

Teachers 302

Teachers Schools History Reading 302

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Teachers enter this profession determined to do it all – design and facilitate lessons, communicate with parents, monitor and track student progress, provide timely feedback, and grade everything. Do you use technology to engage students in the active construction of knowledge? But what’s the solution? If so, how?

Blended Learning 366

Blended Learning Culture Coaching Discussions 366

eSchool News

JUNE 4, 2024

Most academic interventions focus on core knowledge and basic skills: Let’s practice two-digit addition. These kinds of exercises can help students make marginal gains in reading, math, and general content knowledge, but they don’t address the root of the problem: learning how to think and how to learn. Why focus on critical thinking?

Critical Thinking 338

Critical Thinking Metacognitive Skills Knowledge Achievement 338

Catlin Tucker

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

Often these all-staff training sessions present strategies and models generally, but they do not support individual teachers in adapting these strategies and models for their specific grade level, subject area, or student population. Blended Learning Coaching Course. Click here to access a PDF to share with your leadership team.

Blended Learning 540

Blended Learning Coaching Learning Feedback 540

eSchool News

MARCH 11, 2024

Many students are still reading below the level appropriate for their grade– roughly one-third of fourth graders in the United States read at or below what’s considered the basic level. Many states that have recently begun this work start with initiatives focused on building knowledge, which is a great first step.

Reading 302

Reading Science Knowledge Achievement 302

eSchool News

DECEMBER 20, 2022

forming teacher-student relationships was highlighted as the top instructional practice for driving engagement across all grade levels and subjects. Bringing parts of their personal lives into the learning process is not only motivating, but also improves knowledge retention over time. Use prior knowledge as a base for new information.

Student Engagement 302

Student Engagement Hybrid Learning Students Participation 302

Ask a Tech Teacher

JUNE 12, 2023

As soon as children begin to visit the online world, they need the knowledge to do that safely, securely, responsibly. I’ve collected a long list of resources here : K-HS Digital Citizenship Resources Today, we focus on Kindergarten–1st Grade. _Gather students on the class rug and discuss the meaning of ‘ digital citizen ’.

Grades 147

Grades Teaching Internet Assignments 147

eSchool News

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

With 25+ years of practice and research behind him, Joe Feldman—a former teacher, principal and district administrator—speaks from experience when it comes to the ongoing inequities and challenges that districts and schools have with grading. To download the first chapter of Grading for Equity, click here.

Grades 277

Grades Curriculum Design Motivation Discussions 277

eSchool News

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

In a recent faculty meeting at our school led by Director Adrienne Viscardi, we discussed the importance of using morphology and concept circles to deepen students’ understanding of academic language. Collaborative learning : Pairing students with supportive peers can encourage discussion and understanding of complex ideas.

English 315

English Language Languages Social Studies 315

eSchool News

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Most academic interventions focus on core knowledge and basic skills: Lets practice two-digit addition. These kinds of exercises can help students make marginal gains in reading, math, and general content knowledge, but they dont address the root of the problem: learning how to think and how to learn. Why focus on critical thinking?

Critical Thinking 267

Critical Thinking Metacognitive Skills Education Knowledge 267

eSchool News

JUNE 14, 2021

I recently discussed these questions with two education experts on my podcast, What I Want to Know. Students are still acquiring knowledge from digital devices, but there are complexities in reading paperback or hardcover books that today’s children are missing. Today only 12-15 percent of kids pick up a book each week.

Technology 363

Technology Reading Skills Critical Thinking 363

eSchool News

AUGUST 20, 2024

In inquiry-based classrooms, teachers guide students through the research process and allow them to share their knowledge on their chosen subject. Another point of entry for students is learning about the experiences of their peers, so when I taught eighth grade, I always assigned The Outsiders. This novel by S.

Reading 327

Reading Assignments English Math 327

Edsurge

MAY 5, 2025

This uncertainty can be daunting, but one thing is clear: Foundational knowledge in computer science will be essential, no matter what paths they choose. How can we ensure that all students develop the computing skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven workforce?

Science 113

Science Ethics Education Students 113

eSchool News

DECEMBER 4, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been around for many years, but the introduction of ChatGPT in November 2022 has generated many discussions of how this technology can impact education – both how students learn and how educators teach. Most of the time, this is not true. Students may know how to use some technology, but not all.

Collaborative Learning 319

Collaborative Learning Gamification Teachers Teaching Methods 319

Catlin Tucker

MAY 30, 2023

This ensures they are exposed to grade-level academic content while developing their English language skills. Teachers can incorporate collaborative activities, discussions, and cooperative learning strategies, like reciprocal teaching , that promote speaking and listening skills. Equality vs. Equity: Are We Meeting ELs’ Needs?

English 274

English Blended Learning Language Languages 274

eSchool News

APRIL 29, 2024

Key points: Inspiring young women in STEM programs requires cultivating a culture of community Black students need more STEM career exposure Launching a districtwide computer science program for all grades For more news on STEM education, visit eSN’s STEM & STEAM hub All too often, female students are underrepresented in STEM classes.

STEM 348

STEM Education Ethics Math 348

eSchool News

MAY 1, 2024

It is a dynamic, interconnected space where knowledge flows freely, and learners are active participants in their educational journey. Learning management systems (LMS) that facilitate online content delivery, assignments, and grading. The classroom of the modern era is no longer confined to four walls and rows of desks.

Internet 306

Internet Critical Thinking Quizzes Teaching Methods 306

eSchool News

JANUARY 30, 2023

ESL students won’t be able to succeed at school or college if they can’t use the language well enough: Their grades and overall subject knowledge will suffer. Speaking and writing are about producing the language, requiring a different mental muscle from learners.

Writing 290

Writing Skills Essay Language 290

eSchool News

AUGUST 7, 2024

In discussing ways to engage students in STEM, simulators and STEM Kits can significantly enhance student engagement and understanding by providing hands-on, immersive learning experiences that bring theoretical concepts to life.

Education 309

Education STEM Art Culture 309

eSchool News

APRIL 10, 2025

Through the easy-to-use templates, educators can create real-time polls to assess knowledge, check for misconceptions, or gather feedback. Students watch a short video, answer embedded questions, and discuss their responses in small groups. Canva: The polls available from Canva offer a fresh take on gauging student understanding.

Evaluation 256

Evaluation Quizzes Critical Thinking Feedback 256

eSchool News

JULY 30, 2024

All the great teachers I had growing up found ways to involve the topic they were discussing, even tangentially, into current events. This may seem far off from a 5th-grade classroom, but people who start early continue these habits throughout their lives. Math teachers showed how parabolas were effectively used for space exploration.

Skills 295

Skills Gamification Learning Intelligence 295

eSchool News

NOVEMBER 18, 2024

While classrooms focus on theoretical knowledge, they may fail to prepare students for the real-life challenges they will inevitably face. This kind of validation is irreplaceable and builds a robust sense of self-worth that classroom grades alone cannot provide.

High School 315

High School High School Curriculum Ethics 315

eSchool News

JULY 1, 2024

Designate shared spaces and materials In middle and high school, as students change classrooms and teachers more frequently than in earlier grades, it is easy for them to feel less connected to the physical spaces they occupy, the materials they use briefly, and the teachers they encounter while doing so.

High School 300

High School High School Knowledge Motivation 300

Catlin Tucker

SEPTEMBER 8, 2019

In my previous post, I focused on strategies teachers can use before a lesson to assess prior knowledge. In addition to determining where each student is starting in terms of their content knowledge or skills, teachers should collect data during the lesson to gauge what students know.

Coaching 285

Coaching Learning Students Knowledge 285

eSchool News

OCTOBER 26, 2020

This event occurs during Red Ribbon Week, the largest drug-use prevention campaign in the nation, and will debut to communities across the United States the newly announced Dose of Knowledge digital education resources. a Twitter chat focusing on the new Dose of Knowledge resources. Click here to register for the event.

Education 197

Education Knowledge Learning Textbooks 197

eSchool News

APRIL 16, 2025

As students progress through elementary and middle school, the demand for vocabulary knowledge increases significantly. By the time students enter ninth grade, they are expected to know and understand approximately 88,500 word families (Fisher & Frey, 2014). Students arrange the words on a continuum, from one extreme to another.

Technology 229

Technology Middle School Middle School Assignments 229

eSchool News

APRIL 19, 2023

Available on Discovery Education’s Earth Day website and award-winning K-12 learning platform , this collection of high-quality digital content is organized by grade band and has been curated by Discovery Education’s team of curriculum experts. In this video, students learn about the fashion industry’s impact on the environment.

Education 304

Education STEM Grades Art 304