Lesson Planning
At Learning-Focused, we have the same vision as you do: to make sure every student has the benefit of having a highly effective teacher. This starts with ensuring teachers are trained on the foundation of an effective lesson plan framework. Check back often as we continue to update our high-impact Lesson Plan tips and resources for teachers, educators, and leaders.
As the school year winds down and end-of-course exams and final assessments loom, it’s natural to want to jump into a full-blown review of everything students have learned. However, the key to effective review isn’t simply re-teaching everything but targeting the appropriate level of instruction students need at the end of the year to succeed…
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Teaching, a profession as challenging as it is rewarding, often places educators in the hot seat, where they must make split-second decisions that can shape their students’ learning outcomes. It’s not just about imparting knowledge; it’s about doing so in a way that fosters a conducive environment for learning. At the heart of this is…
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More and more of my 8th-grade English Language Arts students have been using AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Grammarly to complete their writing assignments. This is concerning for several reasons, not the least of which is academic dishonesty. While it’s not difficult to pick out an essay written by ChatGPT, it can be difficult to…
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Imagine your classroom transformed. Students are actively engaged, thinking critically, and collaborating to construct a deeper understanding of diverse topics. This captivating learning environment is within reach by harnessing the power of summarizing, a transformable strategy applicable across all content areas. The Power of Student Summarizing Research consistently highlights the multifaceted benefits of summarizing: What…
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Forget Everything You Know About Note-Taking: Unleash the Power of Deliberate Errors! Imagine a world where making mistakes in class boosts your learning. Sounds crazy, right? Well, a new study suggests that incorporating deliberate errors into your note-taking can be a game-changer. This blog dives deep into the fascinating concept of “deliberate erring” and how…
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When it comes to teaching, the ultimate goal is to ensure students understand new concepts and skills and be able to apply that knowledge in varying contexts long after they’ve left the classroom. However, this ambition brings educators face-to-face with a paradoxical truth illuminated by Nicholas C. Soderstrom and Robert A. Bjork from the University…
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Why is Writing to Raise Achievement so important to use throughout every lesson? Let’s start by explaining more about Writing Across the Curriculum. What Does “Writing Across the Curriculum” Mean? Writing Across the Curriculum refers to the notion that content area teachers reinforce the benchmarks that ELA teachers traditionally teach in their lessons. All teachers…
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The Challenge of Giving Consistent Student Feedback Learning without monitoring is like driving without a destination; you may never arrive anywhere. Anyone who has ever tried to learn something new knows the value of monitoring, both personally and by an instructor. Without this reciprocal responsibility, it’s possible to never “arrive” at our intended destination, such…
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The beginning of a new school year is always an exciting yet anxious time, and getting your students started on a positive note is important. Your first impression should be of high energy and excitement about being together, and you want to reinforce your enthusiasm about how and what your new students will be learning…
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As a literacy coach, I typically get asked by 4th and 5th-grade teachers how to teach students to summarize. When this happens, I refer teachers to the ELA Standard 2 spiral progression. We discuss the verbs used in grades K-3 and the student’s ability to retell and recount. Our discussion concludes that retelling and recounting…
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