The Power of Protocols for Equity
In this article, Zaretta Hammond, an expert on equity and building more culturally responsive classrooms, discusses the importance of deep student-led discussions and how to have them. She outlines how to use structured protocols to encourage equitable participation and create more culturally responsive discussions. Her guidance can help teachers in any subject improve student discussions… Read More ›
Can Responsibilities to Family and Community be Empowering for Youth, Even in a Pandemic?
In this article, the author speculates about the empowering effect of personal responsibility young people might gain through service to their families and communities during the pandemic. The author shares research conducted from a Los Angeles community of students who participated, along with their families, in a program to build relationships called Keep Connected and… Read More ›
Fostering a Strong Community in a Virtual Classroom
This article focuses on the importance of building a sense of community during online learning. The author offers practical tips to help students feel comfortable and safe participating in synchronous and asynchronous online learning. The author suggests a process of planning, establishing group norms, and scaffolding students as they learn how to interact online in… Read More ›
Practical Tips for Teaching Online Small-Group Discussions
This practical article suggests ways to facilitate deep discussions amongst peers during online learning. The author details three strategies that can be used during break out sessions held through zoom or other similar platforms. In particular, she discusses the use of real-time note-taking that allows teachers to peek into discussions as they are happening, the… Read More ›
7 Strategies Designed to Increase Student Engagement in Synchronous Online Discussions Using Video Conferencing
This article offers advice to teachers to help increase engagement in online discussions. The author, Catlin Tucker is an educator, author, and blended learning coach; she suggests seven easy actions teachers can take to improve synchronous online discussions. These range from helping students prepare by distributing agendas and expectations for behavior in advance to using… Read More ›
Story as Salve: The Impact of Sharing Lived Experience in Youth Voice Work
I am so tired of being confused. All those years of knowledge, and still I lose. Is it C or B? Should I choose A or D? I second guess myself; which letter will it be? Work your way up the worn linoleum floors of Southwest High School, twisting through packs of students until you… Read More ›
66 Years After Brown v. Board of Education, the Work Is More Urgent Than Ever
The 66th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision provides a moment to pause and consider how much work is still needed to provide equitable educational opportunities to every student. School closures and disruption of services due to COVID-19 have exposed a huge number of equity concerns, with black and brown students and… Read More ›
Coronavirus School Closures: An Educational Opportunity
This op-ed looks at the importance of self-directed play and exploration in the lives of children. Peter Gray, Co-Founder of the Let it Grow organization, draws on decades of research on self-directed learning in which young people do not attend a curriculum-based school but are homeschooled by the method commonly called unschooling. The author points… Read More ›
Creative Connections While Apart
This article for parents looks at the importance of helping kids maintain connections and relationships while social distancing due to COVID-19. It suggests many creative ways to help your children stay connected to their friends, relatives, schools and communities. Parents of kids of any age can use some of these tips right away. Source Organization:… Read More ›
Social Responsibility Begins Here
This article explores the ways in which families can teach their children about social responsibility during the pandemic. The author draws on research conducted by the Roots of Engaged Citizenship Project which shows that families reinforce important civic lessons by the way they communicate current events, model behaviors, challenge their kids to ask questions about… Read More ›
Lower Your Expectations, And Other Parenting Advice For The Era Of COVID-19
This resource offers parents tips to cope with their own and their children’s anxiety. The articles summarize the information provided during an online presentation for a group of Colorado parents by Dr. Amy Lopez and Dr. Scott Cypers from the stress and anxiety programs at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center at the… Read More ›
7 Guiding Principles for Parents Teaching From Home
To help parents taking on new roles as their children’s teachers during remote learning, this article introduces some basic teaching concepts grounded in research and science. The author reminds parents that teaching is more than just sharing content. The article includes advice to help parents create a productive workspace and routine for their family as… Read More ›