Inclusion

NAEP The Nation’s Report Card: Did Every Student Get an F?

All, Equity, Inclusion, K-5 Literacy, Reading, Results, Summer Reading / By

More kids are further behind than ever.  The NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) is considered the “Nation’s Report Card” on reading and math, and this fall, the report card for America’s 4th graders is basically an F. Post-pandemic—where many children were forced into remote learning situations and low-income students had challenges with technology and internet …

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Essentials for Inclusivity

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion / By

If inclusion initiatives increase productivity and innovation in business, imagine how they could do the same for your classroom/institution. If inclusion initiatives increase employee satisfaction and retention in business, imagine how they could increase the attention and literacy of students.   Tony Dungy, first Black NFL coach to win a Super Bowl says, “Inclusion initiatives …

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Universal Design for Learning and Reading

The Secret Strength of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Challenges, Choices, Curriculum, Early Education, Educators, Engagement – Classroom, Engagement – Family, Equity, Inclusion, K-5 Literacy, Reading, Reading Instruction / By

There’s this widgetsmith on the opening screen of my iPhone that reads, “As long as we’re creating it’s not too late to change our story.” People’s stories motivate and inspire but they also connect us, help us grow. Throughout my years of being an educator, tucking in beside my fellow professionals, really hearing their journey, …

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Teaching Students to L.O.V.E. Literacy

All, Challenges, Choices, Diversity, Engagement – Family, Inclusion, K-5 Literacy, Listening, Opportunity Gap, Social Emotional Learning / By

Opportunities to sharpen our literacy skills are all around us. Unfortunately, due to a variety of reasons (lack of support/resources at home, irrelevant curriculum, etc.) students can often be disengaged with literacy learning early in life. Once that foundation is shaken, it is tough to rebuild and instill the skills, confidence, and attitude necessary to …

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D.R.E.A.M. Literacy

All, Book Deserts, Curriculum, Early Education, Educators, Engagement – Classroom, Engagement – Community, Equity, Inclusion, K-5 Literacy, Opportunity Gap, Reading, Reading Instruction, Results / By

A literacy environment should be cultivated by its curriculum.  Learning how to read and develop literacy skills is a process that will benefit a child their entire life.  It is the foundation for other subjects, and a manner in which students learn to communicate and learn about their world, near and far. The process to …

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Creating A R.I.C.H. Literacy Environment

All, Challenges, Choices, Critical Thinking, Curriculum, Diversity, Early Education, Educators, Engagement – Classroom, Equity, Inclusion, K-5 Literacy, Reading, Reading Instruction, Results / By

Most students either really love to read and find joy in growing and sharpening their literacy skills, or they feel the opposite. Their experience depends on two things- the instructional decisions made and the environment in which they learn.  Educators are often told to create a “literacy rich” or “print rich” classroom setting, but what …

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PenPals: Handwritten Letters to Support the Whole Child

4 Comments / All, Challenges, Choices, Critical Thinking, Curriculum, Early Education, Educators, Engagement – Classroom, Engagement – Community, Engagement – Family, Games, Inclusion, K-5 Literacy, Listening, Parents, Social Emotional Learning, Writing / By

When was the last time you wrote or received a handwritten letter? For thousands of years, handwritten letters have played a critical part in our lives. In this age of digital communication, handwritten letters are becoming a lost art. Emails and text messages can be sent instantly; however, the impact of a good old-fashioned handwritten …

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Inclusion and Diversity

Incorporating Equity and Inclusion in Early Childhood Curriculum

All, Choices, Critical Thinking, Curriculum, Diversity, Early Education, Educators, Engagement – Classroom, Engagement – Community, Engagement – Family, Equity, Inclusion, K-5 Literacy, Opportunity Gap, Parents, Reading, Social Emotional Learning / By

Early Childhood Education is a vital foundation for children of tender age. Not only are they introduced to various experiences, but they are also taught how to form and maintain positive social relationships, a sense of belonging, and developing specific skills to reach their full potential. We see regular acts of racism, sexism, and prejudice …

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Literacy + STEM = A Perfect Pairing

All, Challenges, Choices, Critical Thinking, Curriculum, Early Education, Educators, Engagement – Classroom, Events, Games, Inclusion, K-5 Literacy, Listening, Opportunity Gap, Parents, Reading, Reading Instruction, Social Emotional Learning, STEM, Writing / By

When it comes to STEM and literacy, one can’t exist without the other. STEM teachers emphasize the Engineering Design Process and computational thinking, as well as technology tools. But the work of engineers and scientists goes much further than the traditional STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math. They are also communicators, collaborators, writers, …

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Raised hands

Promoting Classroom Conversation

All, Challenges, Choices, Critical Thinking, Curriculum, Diversity, Early Education, Educators, Engagement – Classroom, Equity, Inclusion, Listening, Results, Social Emotional Learning, Writing / By

Every single day we are tasked with ensuring that our students are entering into our building safely, that they are to learn wholeheartedly, and that they get to experience a wide variety of knowledge along the way. In doing this, as educators one of the pivotal roles we play is to promote classroom conversations. These …

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