Building Confidence Through Comprehensive Test Prep Test preparation is vital for helping English Learners (ELs) perform their best on assessments that include speaking, listening, reading, and writing components. State tests, or standardized tests for ELs assess language proficiency across these domains, and targeted test prep helps familiarize students with the format, question types, and expectations,…
The Importance of Test Prep for Students The Role of Test Preparation in Academic Achievement Test preparation is essential for helping students perform at their best during assessments. Whether for state exams, standardized tests, or subject-specific assessments, test prep familiarizes students with the format, question types, and expectations. This reduces anxiety and boosts confidence. Reinforcing…
In the podcast, Silvia Ybarra and John Hollingsworth co-authors of Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) and EDI for English Learners, share their expertise on applying EDI effectively in classrooms and across entire school systems. Together, they discuss the origins of EDI, how it evolved, and why it drives educational improvement. Silvia and John emphasize EDI’s structured…
EDI AND HIGHER-ORDER QUESTIONING: BUILDING CRITICAL THINKERS Structuring Lessons with Thought-Provoking Questions As an educator focused on effective instruction, the transformative power of Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) is evident in how it elevates classroom questioning from basic recall to deep critical thinking. This approach reshapes traditional questioning methods into a structured process that promotes deeper…
A Strategy for Engaging Every Student
Learning ObjectivesvsStandards Standards are often confused with Learning Objectives. Standards are the content and skills students need to know by the end of a school year. Learning Objectives are the content and skills students need to know by the end of a lesson. Perhaps most importantly, a Learning Objective defines the purpose of the lesson,…
Expert Teachers vs. Experienced TeachersWhat’s the Difference? In John Hattie’s 2012 book, Visible Learning for Teachers, he makes the statement that Expert Teachers are different from Experienced Teachers – and he backs it up with some research. Let’s take a look at the differences and then point out ways to develop more expertise. Schools ValueInspired…
EDI Activates 18 of the Top 30 Influences on Student Achievement, As Measured by Hattie John Hattie, a professor of education from Australia and New Zealand, published Visible Learning in 2009 (with additional books in 2012 and 2015). The purpose of his research was to identify what works and what doesn’t in education in statistical…
4 Steps to Instructional Excellence What is a culture of instructional excellence? It’s a place where teachers and administrators focus on providing excellent instruction for students. It’s a place where everyone knows what excellence looks and feels like, and the whole team supports the goal of obtaining it. Dr. Edwin Feulner, president of The Heritage…
Read or Click Play to Listen to the Audio Blog Audio Blog Learn how checking for understanding during the lesson improves first-time teaching It is a quiet Thursday morning, and your class is ready to learn. You deliver one of your best lessons EVER on a very challenging subject. The students nod their…