We are excited to share a recent video featuring Tyler Moomaw, math teacher and grade team leader at Breakthrough Schools in Cleveland, Ohio, a pilot partner for our Dean of Students Curriculum. In this video, Tyler is supporting a group of students who have not completed their homework assignments for the week. While there are…
My friend Ravi Gupta recently interviewed me on the Sweat the Technique podcast and one of the techniques he asked about most was Positive Framing–Technique 59 in TLAC 3.0. His questions made me realize how critical this technique was- how frequently it is at the center of efforts to build vibrant and successful culture, in…
Been thinking a lot lately about how much what a teacher does before a Cold Call shapes its success. Watch for example how in this clip BreOnna Tindall has her students write a response to a key question, then Turn and Talk to discuss their thoughts. When she Cold Calls the first student to share–he’s…
Erica Woolway and I had a great visit to University Prep Middle School in the Bronx yesterday. What a warm and positive school with real rigor and a focus on knowledge. Kids focused, worked hard, took pride in their learning and seemed genuinely happy. One of the classes we especially loved was Spencer Davis’ sixth grade…
UVA cognitive psychologist Daniel Willingham and Barbara Davidson of Knowledge Matters were on the Melissa and Lori Love Literacy podcast a few days ago. About ten minutes into the discussion, Willingham gave a fantastic explanation of the role of background knowledge in reading comprehension. I transcribed the key sections below with a few notes of…