Our Blog

Setting Up for Virtual Learning

  • by Kelly Harmon
  • March 18, 2020, 7:30 a.m.

Do you need help setting up remote learning? On this resource, I walk you through apps, including Zoom, that allow you to record or live cast lessons and set up small group sessions. 

Read More »

Math Resources for Secondary

  • by Kelly Harmon
  • March 17, 2020, 7:50 a.m.

There are so many resources available online for secondary students. Here is a list of our favorites!

Read More »

Math Resources for Elementary

  • by Kelly Harmon
  • March 17, 2020, 7:39 a.m.

There are so many resources available online for elementary children. Here is a list of my favorites!



Read More »

ELAR Resources for Elementary Teachers

  • by Kelly Harmon
  • March 17, 2020, 6:11 a.m.

Looking for texts for elementary-age readers?  Check out these free (or almost free) websites for engaging, content-rich texts.  There's no reason to read boring texts!

Read More »

ELAR Resources for Secondary Teachers

  • by Kelly Harmon
  • March 17, 2020, 5:56 a.m.

As you create learning experiences for your students, here is a list of reading and writing resources to use for ELAR learning in the secondary classroom. 

Read More »

March Madness in the Classroom

  • by Randi Anderson
  • March 9, 2020, 10:05 a.m.

Written by Randi Anderson

I've always been a sucker for a good theme. Every March, there is always buzz around the men's NCAA basketball tournament. Educators can tap into that buzz and use it in the classroom to get students motivated.

Ideas for Using March Madness in Your Classroom:


Read More »

Discussion Circles are Powerful!

  • by Randi Anderson
  • March 9, 2020, 9:58 a.m.

Written by Randi Anderson

Throughout the past year I've spent extensive time talking, collaborating, and brainstorming ideas all focused on classroom discussions circles. The research around discussion circles is astounding for student growth. In fact, classroom discussion has an effect size of .82 which translates to a TWO YEAR gain in student achievement. See Hattie's Effect size chart for reference.

Read More »

Academic Teaming

  • March 9, 2020, 9:53 a.m.

Written by Ashley Taplin

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend a conference by Steve and Michelle Ventura focused on growing our teams through data, strategies, and teacher clarity. We dove into Visible Learning research, founded by John Hattie, which synthesized instructional influences and ranked their effect size on learning. Hattie found that .4 was the average effect size of a year’s growth and thus, the strategies that are identified as .4 or higher can have an even greater impact on student learning.

Read More »

Reading Assessment Practice Ideas

  • by Randi Anderson
  • Feb. 10, 2020, 1:49 p.m.

By Randi Anderson


Assessment season is right around the corner and we know you are working tirelessly, preparing lessons that pack lots of punch (instruction wise). It is important to remember that we must model the types of thinking processes that are essential for proficient reading and writing, as well as provide time for students to repeatedly practice those thinking processes for the majority of our classroom time. Here are few ideas to use in your classrooms.


Read More »

Assessment Capable Learners

  • Feb. 10, 2020, 1:40 p.m.

By Ashley Taplin

In the fall, I had the opportunity to attend a Visible Learning Institute in which John Hattie and Peter DeWitt dove into the topic of assessment capable learners. They explained that students need to be able to answer three questions: where am I going, how am I doing, and where to next? (download this classroom poster I created here). Furthermore, there are 6 key characteristics of assessment capable learners:

Read More »