Thinking & Learning 2019: Anthony Muhammad
Dr Anthony Muhammad is a much sought-after educational consultant. A practitioner for nearly 20 years, he has served as principal for a middle and high school and as a middle school teacher and assistant principal.
read more
How to Close the Achievement Gap – The Liberation Mindset
It is clear that the paths taken in the past to close the achievement disparities in American public schools, also known as the Achievement Gap, have not been effective. Despite billions of dollars dedicated to achieving the goal of academic equality in...
read more
Happy Accidents in the Classroom
Why gifted students are so reluctant to make mistakes When I am sitting and flipping through the television channels, there are a few things that cause me to pause. One is the movie A Few Good Men. I always stop when I come across a baseball game too. The...
read more
Book Review: Learning beyond the classroom – The Art of Dirty Teaching!
During a coaching session with a primary school leader around Reggio Emilia pedagogy, the book I was reviewing, Dirty Teaching, came into our conversation. The immediate response was – “I love the title! Where can I get one?” Dirty Teaching is jam packed with creative...
read more
Book Review: Juliet Robertson’s Messy Maths: A Playful, Outdoor Approach for Early Years
Messy Maths is an exciting exploration that unearths the wonder of maths through the natural environment. Juliet Robertson, the author of Messy Maths, shares her infectious enthusiasm for learning outside all year round. Her developmental approach incorporates child...
read more
Local nature experiences help children relate to other environments
My side of the street is shaded for hours longer than the opposite side which gets full sun for more than 6 hours a day, even in winter. The differences in sunlight affect the plant growth in these “microclimates.” On the “sunny side of the street the...
read more
Book Review: Dylan Wiliam’s Leadership for Teacher Learning: Creating a Culture Where All Teachers Improve so That All Students Succeed
This book is compulsory reading for all school leaders. Research studies have consistently revealed that it is quality teaching that has the greatest impact on student learning outcomes. Most teachers would accept this reality, evident in their willingness to attend...
read more
Energising Brain Breaks to Ignite Learning in the Classroom!
Brain Breaks are mental breaks designed to help students stay focused and attend. The Brain Breaks get students moving to carry blood and oxygen to the brain, providing a pause in the instructional flow and processing time for students to solidify their...
read more
Tired of SMART Goals; Try Some DUMB Ones Instead
Balancing data with important 21st-century skill sets One idea that has permeated education for the past few years is that of data, and using it to drive and shape instruction. This is a great idea because you as the teacher find out what is working...
read more
Cultivating Practical Optimism: A Key to Growing a Growth Mindset and Getting the Best from Your Brain
Earlier this year, we enjoyed meeting many educators from across Australia and New Zealand when we presented at the 2018 Hawker Brownlow Education Thinking & Learning Conference in Melbourne, Australia. In Donna’s session, “Creating Practically...
read more