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If you ask an agronomist about ideal growing conditions, you will likely receive a detailed answer that includes information about soil types, soil nutrition, moisture, temperature, sunlight exposure, and other similar matters. Each of these items plays a specific and significant role in creating the proper environment for the complex nature of seed germination and
The word “intentional” indicates deliberate and purposeful action. Are there things that you can purposely do in your classroom that will help students perform at higher levels? According to author and researcher Jeff Marshall, the answer is yes. In his book The Highly Effective Teacher: 7 Classroom-Tested Practices That Foster Student Success, Jeff Marshall identifies
I recently had the pleasure of revisiting my music teaching days by discussing music composition with a student. We discussed what makes a composition good, and I reflected on two elements: unity and variety. Within a quality musical composition, both will be present. As I thought about the need for unity and variety in a
If you’re having difficulty getting started with collaborative learning in the classroom, you might consider using the Jigsaw technique developed by Elliot Aronson. He and his students have developed and refined the technique since 1971. The technique relies on creating small groups and making individuals an “expert” within the group. Aronson and his students provide
One of my all time favorite movies is “What About Bob?” In the movie, Bob Wiley is dealing with a number of personal and relational problems that often accompany life. Bob seeks the help of a psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Marvin, who gives him a book titled Baby Steps: A Guide to Living Life One Step
The skills necessary for successful teamwork are not innate. They are learned behaviors. The students who enter our classrooms on a daily basis need direct instruction related to the skills of collaboration, and that instruction must be well planned. Some may be struggling to design collaborative activities for the classroom. The good news is there
Collaborative work in the classroom can have powerful and positive effects on student learning. In order to create the best possible outcome for students, teachers have to develop and employ learning strategies that help students engage with the content and with each other. In the article Inventories, Confessionals, and Contracts: Strategies for Effective Group Work,
Often times in our classrooms we provide visible examples of successful student work, so that current students have greater clarity regarding the assigned task. Those visible models are tangible for students and have a powerful positive impact on their own products. Teachers who are planning for collaboration also need to see exemplars of collaboration in
Phil Harrison Coaching 