STEM vs. STEAM

Acronym Alphabet Soup   Education is littered with a variety of acronyms.  “EOCs MSL,” and “Good PD fosters a solid PLC,” are actual sentences.  For anyone who isn’t shoulder deep in educational acronyms, these sentences translates to “End of Course tests Measure Student Learning” and “Good Professional Development fosters a solid Professional Learning Community.”  STEM…

Successful Pair-Sharing

There are many specific strategies you can use that contribute to effective and successful Pair-Sharing. (1) Desk Arrangement. Desks need to be suitably arranged so students have physical access to their pair-share partner. Move the desks if necessary. Most teachers are sliding rows of desks closer together. Also, students need to face the teacher to…

15 Reasons to Pair-Share

Pair-Shares are super important for multiple reasons. Here are fifteen reasons. Each one of them justifies the use of Pair-Shares. (1) Every student orally answers every question. Pair-Shares go beyond having students think of an answer. Now, all of them are actually saying the answer aloud. Think about it. Every student orally answers every question…

Incorporating Close Listening in the Classroom

“Huh?” “What was that?” “Can you repeat that one more time?” “I wasn’t listening; can you say that again?” Teachers frequently hear these types of responses, from all different types of students, during all types of classes. Students that do not pay attention, and do not listen closely during instruction, do not retain information. Teachers…