Episodes
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Full-Day Kindergarten: Pros, Cons, and State Requirements
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Thursday Apr 16, 2020
Once an optional, preschool-like addition to elementary school programs, kindergarten has come a long way. For years, most kindergarten classes offered a half-day introduction to life in school, with plenty of time for free play, snacks, and even naps. Today, however, parents have a hard time finding anything other than the full-day option, let alone one that comes stocked with blocks, nap time, and unstructured lesson plans. In fact, more than 75 percent of all kindergartners now attend full-day programs, according to a 2015 study by nonprofit research group Child Trends.
To view the original blog, visit: Full-Day Kindergarten: Pros, Cons, and State Requirements
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
5 Things You May Not Know About English Learners
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
Thursday Apr 09, 2020
English Learners are often thought of as a homogenous group, but in reality, they are extremely diverse. Although you likely know these common facts about ELs, you may not be as familiar with the underlying complexities of this often misunderstood population.
Here are five things you may not know about English Learners:
To view the original blog, visit: 5 Things You May Not Know About English Learners
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
Supporting New Teachers: What Do They Really Need?
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
Thursday Apr 02, 2020
A teacher shortage is affecting school districts across the United States, with the Economic Policy Institute calling the situation “real, large and growing, and worse than we thought.” As EPI researchers explained, “A shortage of teachers harms students, teachers, and the public education system as a whole,” with higher turnover rates contributing to the destabilization of schools and the deprofessionalization of teaching. High-poverty, high-need schools have been hit the hardest, with these more vulnerable communities struggling to find and retain experienced, highly qualified teachers.
To view the original blog, visit: Supporting New Teachers: What Do They Really Need?
Thursday Mar 26, 2020
Thursday Mar 26, 2020
Site-based instructional coaching is becoming a more frequent (and sometimes mandated) form of support and leadership. But is it effective? A 2019 article published by the online education news site Education Dive came up with some insightful answers to this question.
To view the original blog, visit: Instructional Coaching: The Professional Development Approach Leading to Better Outcomes
Thursday Mar 19, 2020
Putting the Science of Reading to Work
Thursday Mar 19, 2020
Thursday Mar 19, 2020
How do students learn to read? Although this deceptively simple question has inspired decades of research and yielded an array of science-backed instructional methods, many students are still not making the progress educators would like to see, with the most recent Nation’s Report Card indicating that fourth- and eighth-graders' average reading scores have decreased over the past two years. So, why is student reading proficiency so low when there is a wealth of research devoted to reading instruction?
To view the original blog, visit: Putting the Science of Reading to Work
Thursday Jan 30, 2020
Stuck in the Middle: Navigating the Middle School Experience
Thursday Jan 30, 2020
Thursday Jan 30, 2020
“Little people have all the feelings that adults have—[just] with way less world experience,” according to Mayra Cruz, principal of a public middle school in Washington, D.C.
Cruz’s words are a succinct answer to a question posed in a recent article from The Atlantic: Why is middle school so hard for so many people?. Ask just about anyone to reflect on their middle-school years and you’ll likely be met with a resounding groan, a few shared memories laced with regret and self-deprecation (“I can’t believe I dressed like that”, “I was so awkward at that stage!”), and general disdain for the middle-school environment and its unwritten social rules.
To view the original blog, visit: Stuck in the Middle: Navigating the Middle School Experience
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
How to Motivate Students Using Competitive and Collaborative Activities
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
Tuesday Jan 28, 2020
Staying motivated to read can be a challenge for many students, especially those who are reading below grade level. Some students are motivated to keep working for external, competitive reasons—they want to earn a good grade, win a contest, etc.
On the other hand, collaborative activities encourage students to learn from each other with less pressure to perform, which is a more appealing option for other students. So, which motivational strategy should educators use: competition or collaboration?
To view the original blog, visit: How to Motivate Students Using Competitive and Collaborative Activities
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Homework: Good, Bad…Necessary?
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Thursday Jan 23, 2020
Homework seems like a fact of life for most people—something that students and teachers alike accept as an essential part of teaching and learning. But is homework necessarily a good thing? While some parents and teachers insist that it is an important way to reinforce what goes on during the school day, persistent questions are being raised about how much homework students should get (and whether they need it at all).
To view the original blog, visit: Homework: Good, Bad…Necessary?
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Closing the Literacy Gender Gap: Top Tips for Motivating Boys to Read
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Tuesday Jan 21, 2020
Concerned literacy educators work tirelessly to close achievement gaps caused by socioeconomic status, race, disability, and English-language proficiency. However, there’s one more education gap that needs to be addressed: gender. Educators have noted that girls consistently outperform boys in reading skills, and research bears this out. Studies reveal that the literacy gap between male and female students is both longstanding and worldwide.
To view the original blog, visit: Closing the Literacy Gender Gap: Top Tips for Motivating Boys to Read
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
6 Ways to Help Students Struggling with Reading Close the Gap
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
Thursday Oct 31, 2019
Students need to develop strong, fundamental reading skills in elementary school to set the groundwork for future success in all academic areas. That’s why it is essential to help struggling students close academic literacy gaps in the early years before they begin to tackle more complex materials. To help struggling students make the reading gains they need, consider incorporating the following 6 tips into your everyday instructional plans.
To view the original blog, visit: https://www.lexialearning.com//blog/6-ways-help-students-struggling-reading-close-gap