Resources to increase community engagement and enhance relationships with the school community.

Strategies for Instructional Delivery and Meeting Students' Learning Needs

7 Essentials for Project-Based Learning (ASCD)
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The article discusses meaningful project-based learning in schools. It contrasts traditional projects like posters with more engaging methods. It outlines seven key elements for effective projects: 1) Start with a compelling introduction, 2) Formulate a central question, 3) Allow student choice, 4) Focus on modern skills, 5) Encourage inquiry and innovation, 6) Emphasize feedback and revision, and 7) Present work to a real audience. These elements aim to make learning relevant and engaging for students.

An Introduction to Project-Based Learning (Edutopia)

Resources to help students develop pro-social skills and engage in the classroom

Literacy and SEL: What you need to know (NWEA)
link to video

For emerging readers, access to a wide variety of books can improve language and literacy skills. Great texts can serve as a window to the world or a mirror to a child’s inner self. See how early literacy and social-emotional learning go hand in hand.

Resources to help provide effective learning opportunities to students with diverse needs

Resources to using technology to enhance the teaching and learning process.

Basics of File Management - Keeping Organized

Resources to help with literacy instruction.

Sample Writing Rubric
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Sample grading rubric for writing from the Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence, Carnegie Mellon University.
(More about writing rubrics.)

Reading Instruction Video: Comprehension

Discussion about effective strategies for teaching reading comprehension—what works and what doesn't!

The first, overall strategy is to do something that we call "Comprehension self monitoring." Comprehension self monitoring is something strong readers do. They are always asking themselves, "Do I understand what it is that I read?"

LETRS At-A-Glance (REC-1)
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[LETRS] is grounded in research on how children learn to read and write, ensuring that instructional methods are based on proven strategies that promote literacy development

For each reading component, this guide offers

• Quick description of the reading components,
• Instructional guidance,
• Component subskills,
• Effective strategies, and
• Sample collaborative learning activities.

NCEL Literacy Model
Effective Literacy Instruction for English Learners

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This document provides a comprehensive, integrated approach to literacy instruction tailored specifically for English learners (ELs). It emphasizes the need for literacy to develop within the broader context of language, integrating the four language domains (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). The approach is multidimensional, connecting literacy development to content knowledge and embracing bilingualism as a resource rather than a barrier.

Resources to help with mathematics instruction.

Resources to help with science instruction.

Resources to help with social studies instruction.

Resources to help with music instruction.

5 Ways to Help Your Students Master Rhythm (Top Music Education)
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The article focuses on practical strategies for teaching rhythm to piano students, emphasizing both feeling and understanding rhythmic patterns beyond traditional notation.

Sample prompt, part I:
A SMART goal means a goal that is Student centered, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time bound. If you understand SMART goals, tell me before I give you more information.

Sample prompt, part II:
I am a teacher of 15 kindergarten students. According to their test scores on the iStation assessment, their phonemic awareness is only 7%. Write a SMART goal that I can use in my 90-day growth plan. Provide 2 or 3 sample strategies that I can use to reach at least 44% proficiency.

Sample prompt, part III:
Do the same task for Letter Knowledge. I want students to increase from 25% to at least 50%

Sample prompt:
(1) Please provide a 3 to 5 sentence summary of the following article. (2) List the key points. (3) List any recommendations or suggested action steps. ARTICLE:...

Sample prompt:
You are an expert in teaching and assessing elementary student student writing. I am going to provide you with a student's essay that is a personal reflection on a book. The essay is from a student in the 4th grade. I want you to do the following tasks.
Task One: Analyze the essay for strengths and weaknesses for the following categories: (1) spelling, (2) punctuation, (3) grammar, (4) paragraph structure, (5) overall organization, (6) tone, and (7) support for ideas. For each category, rate the writing on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being lowest and 5 being highest rating. Then list the categories, provide the rating, and explain why you gave that rating.
Task Two: Provide an overall score on a 100-point scale. Assume that each category is equally weighted. Show how you got the overall score.
Task Three: For any category that is rated less than 5, provide action steps the student can use to get a perfect score.
This discussion should be titled "Clara's Writing Assessment"
Here is the text....

Sample prompt, part I:
You are a child psychologist. I am a first grade teacher. One of my boy students is in the habit of hitting other children whenever he is upset with them, such as when they try to use his toys or crayons. What are some positive ways that I can help him correct this behavior and learn to respond in pro-social ways?

Sample prompt, part II:
Provide more information about the second strategy, with clear steps.

Sample prompt:
You are a specialist in bilingual education. You have 20 years of experience working with dual language instruction in elementary school.
What are good strategies for helping students learn their heritage languages, if other than English?
Provide a thorough response.
Include research studies to support your response.

Sample prompt, part I:
You are a specialist in instructional design, with a focus on critical thinking and literacy. You have a strong literature expertise. I am studying the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley with my 9th grade literature students. What are major themes in the book that students can use to write essays?

Sample prompt, part II:
Propose 10 critical thinking questions about the 2nd theme that students can use to generate essay topics.

Sample prompt:
You are a mathematician. In simple terms, explain the concept of recursion. Use an analogy to help students understand this concept. Provide an example problem and step by step solution.

Sample prompt:
My eighth-grade students are having difficulty understanding Newton's Laws of Motion. First, explain this topic in simple terms, as if speaking to 5-year-old students. Second, provide an analogy to help strengthen understanding. Third, provide a real life example showing why this Newton's Laws of Motion are important.

Sample prompt:
I am a teacher with 3rd-grade students. I will send a newsletter to parents of students at the beginning of the year.
I want you to write the newsletter to include the following topics:
1. Thanks for letting me be their child's teacher
2. Importance of parent support for children's education, including making sure children complete their homework.
3. Importance of daily attendance
4. Classroom expectations [provide a list of 5 expectations]
5. Value of working together to help their children succeed in class
6. Welcome to visit classroom or speak with me about their children's progress
7. expecting a great year with lots of fun and learning
The overall tone should be enthusiastic and friendly.

Sample prompt:
I want to prepare a classroom engagement checklist for students to track their in-class behavior. The top of the check list should a place for student name and date. The topics to track should be down one side, with a very brief description. The place for check marks should be on the other side. Create this checklist for me.