I have been asked a number of times what Inquiry Based Learning, and what Differentiated Project Based Tasks look like. The two can be combined into one strong culminating task. However, people often don't know how to craft their own tasks, as they haven't seen any as an exemplar.It is for that reason that I … Continue reading Differentiated Inquiry & Project Based Tasks
Category: Classroom Resources
Understanding and Succeeding on the OSSLT Major Writing Pieces
When writing the OSSLT (Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test) there are a number of unspoken requirements for success. This article will teach you the specific things you need to accomplish to succeed in the OSSLT.Remember, that while there may be a number of multiple-choice and short writing pieces on the OSSLT, Ontario students often find … Continue reading Understanding and Succeeding on the OSSLT Major Writing Pieces
The Creation and Publication Project: A Brief Introduction
Before reworking your entire class to accommodate a new project, you will need to know why it's worth your time and effort. I get that. So, before I tell you why this matters we need to hear from the truly important voices. What the students have to say There's nothing more important than student voice. … Continue reading The Creation and Publication Project: A Brief Introduction
Digital PD: Professional Development on Your Time
A curated list of online Professional Development opportunities for engaged and engaging educators.
SUPER Strategy #1: Use Highlighters to Create Groups
When students are working hand out highlighters to students so they can annotate their text. Choose who you give what colour to, hand them out randomly or let them pick from a box. The important thing is that you have five or six different colours to choose from. As they are writing, students will mark … Continue reading SUPER Strategy #1: Use Highlighters to Create Groups
Student Learning Through Digital Essay Editing and Revision Using Google Docs
Revising a rough copy is one of the most important aspects of writing a strong essay. It's not enough to know how to GO FROM OUTLINE TO ESSAY, one must be ready to revise, revise, and then revise some more. Often times students find themselves struggling to add a paragraph or two to meet the … Continue reading Student Learning Through Digital Essay Editing and Revision Using Google Docs
SUPER STRATEGY #2: Turn on the Subtitles
Pressing the subtitle button on your remote control or streaming video player can make all the difference from students with hidden disabilities, difficulties with oral processing, and those distracted by environmental noises. SEE ALL THE S.U.P.E.R. STRATEGIES There are a number of Super Strategies you can use together, increasing the effectiveness of your practice, while … Continue reading SUPER STRATEGY #2: Turn on the Subtitles
SUPER Strategies
S.U.P.E.R. Strategies are quick ideas that both new and experienced teachers can use to increase student success while also simplifying classroom workload. These are the secrets we'd all wished we'd known years ago. It has been said that teachers loves their acronyms. There's definitely some truth to that. The Toronto District School Board has an … Continue reading SUPER Strategies
Teaching how to go from Text, to Outline, to Essay
Having taught your students how to PROPERLY EMBED QUOTATIONS it's now time to jump into the actual process of writing an essay. There are a number of ways to demonstrate this process. The most helpful of which is to give students a clear exemplar of the essay writing process. A Step by Step guide to … Continue reading Teaching how to go from Text, to Outline, to Essay
Embedding Quotations as Supporting Evidence
Learning how to fully embed quotations into your essay is a skill that needs to be explicitly taught. Teaching students how to embed quotations into their essay must be explained from the ground up. Without a solid foundation to build on your students will continue to struggle with the concept. We will look at the … Continue reading Embedding Quotations as Supporting Evidence