Engagement | �Ǹ��

Student-Centered Learning: What is it and how to implement

Alisa Kaczorowski — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:01:00 +0000

Key takeaways

Student-centered learning puts the student in the driver’s seat, giving them increased autonomy in their learning.
The benefits of student-centered learning are numerous, including the development and sharpening of critical thinking and other lifelong learning skills.
Despite some obstacles, implementing student-centered learning can become a reality with a few simple guidelines.

Imagine a classroom in which students are excited about learning. A classroom where students are asking questions, collaborating, and engaged in their learning. A classroom where students are learning by doing rather than just sitting and listening. Does this sound too good to be true? In this era of stringent academic standards, standardized testing, and students as passive receivers of information, it may seem to be, but it’s not. These are characteristics of a classroom where student-centered learning is happening.��

What is student-centered learning?

Student-centered learning puts the student in the driver’s seat by giving them the autonomy to choose what and how they learn. Rather than acting as a vessel to be filled to the brim with knowledge, as in a traditional classroom setting, students in student-centered learning classrooms are active participants in building their own knowledge, with teachers serving as facilitators, guiding and providing continuous feedback.��

How are students constructing their own knowledge? Typically, in a student-centered learning classroom, this is accomplished through active inquiry, collaborative projects, project-based learning, and hands-on learning stations. In other words, the students are doing the heavy lifting instead of the teacher. As the guide or facilitator, the teacher’s goal is not to impart knowledge but rather to spark curiosity in students and encourage critical thinking skills such as questioning, investigating, discussing, and applying. These skills, as well as other lifelong learning skills, are honed as students construct knowledge of concepts through active engagement and discovery.��

In a student-centered learning classroom, learning is performance-based, with a focus on real-world application and student sensemaking. Self-assessment is also a critical component of student-centered learning, as students must take time to reflect on their knowledge construction and learn to make in-flight adjustments. This helps students build important self-awareness and self-management skills that will continue to serve them throughout life.

Benefits of student-centered learning

In addition to strengthening the critical thinking and lifelong learning skills already mentioned, student-centered learning offers numerous benefits. By fostering students’ autonomy, they naturally become more engaged and motivated in their learning because it is interesting to them. They begin to view themselves as the architect of their own learning. This builds intrinsic motivation, a catalyst for improved information retention, deeper learning, and overall greater academic success.

Additionally, student-centered learning allows students to develop and practice communication, teamwork, and social skills. These are skills that many of our students today lack.��

By allowing students to take ownership of their learning, we are helping to put them on the path toward developing a lifelong love of learning, and shouldn’t that be our ultimate goal as educators?

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Challenges of student-centered learning

Despite the many obvious and well-researched benefits of student-centered learning, many educators struggle to overcome a variety of challenges. The biggest challenges of them all are common in schools: lack of time, training, resources, and support from administrators. Without the time and money dedicated to training educators in student-centered learning, many don’t know where to even begin. Most educators weren’t trained to facilitate student-centered learning, so they aren’t equipped with the knowledge or resources to get started. This can make it difficult for teachers who want to implement student-centered learning in their classrooms, particularly if their building administrators don’t support this endeavor or lack the know-how themselves.

Additionally, so much emphasis is placed on content standards, pacing guides, and standardized test scores that many educators feel they can’t stray far from the curriculum provided to them. They are carrying the weight of student growth and success on their shoulders every day, and it often doesn’t seem as though there’s room for creativity.

How to implement student-centered learning

While switching to student-centered learning may seem daunting and come with challenges, a few steps can make the transition a bit easier.��

Adjust your mindset. It’s time to begin thinking of yourself as a facilitator of learning rather than a giver of information. Begin by taking time to reflect on your role in the classroom, and intentionally plan to do less lecturing and leading, and more guiding students through open-ended questions and discovery in your lessons, using a variety of educational resources.
Set expectations for yourself and your students. It’s important to help students understand the changes that are being made and how their role as learners will look different. Additionally, since student-centered learning relies more heavily on collaborative learning, project-based learning, and active inquiry, students need to know what the expectations are for each of these learning strategies. What does successful collaboration look and sound like? What is expected of them when collaborating or working on a project with peers? What does it mean to be an active inquirer? Keep in mind that there is going to be a bit of a learning curve for everyone. This is a new and different way of learning, and that’s to be expected.
Start slow! There’s no need to dive in and change everything at once. That will likely be overwhelming for both the teacher and students anyway. Identify a few student-centered learning strategies to implement, and get everyone comfortable with them before adding more.
Introduce the element of choice to students. This is a critical component of student-centered learning and one that will likely take some time for everyone to adjust to. Choice boards are a simple yet effective way to provide students with autonomy in their learning. By integrating choice boards, you are giving students the freedom to choose which topics to explore or how to demonstrate their understanding of the content.
Encourage student self-assessment. One important aspect of student-centered learning is self-assessment. For many students, this will be a novel concept. Start building those muscles now by encouraging reflection and providing students with opportunities to assess their own learning. It will take time and patience, but eventually, students will learn to be more reflective and thoughtful.

While there may be a learning curve when transitioning to a student-centered classroom, the benefits for students are well worth the time, effort, and planning involved. What could be better than watching students grow into reflective, curious learners who find real joy in learning?

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5 Strategies for Improving School Attendance

Maggie Lazur — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:58:09 +0000

Key takeaways

Chronic absenteeism doesn't exist in isolation. High absenteeism rates, low academic achievement, and social disengagement are so intertwined that addressing one without the others is rarely enough.
Improving school attendance is most effective when schools start with a deliberate focus on personal engagement, strengthening each student's sense of belonging, purpose, and connection to their school community.
When all school staff, families, and community partners work together around the needs of individual students, schools are better equipped to make real, lasting progress.

While the US Department of Education reports that chronic absenteeism rates are slowly improving following a post-pandemic surge, schools continue to face significant challenges with poor attendance. High absenteeism rates, low academic achievement, social disengagement, and high dropout rates are often so intertwined that it can be difficult to determine which is actually the root cause, leaving school leaders searching for strategies to improve school attendance.

Knowing where to start is a challenge in itself. Improving academic achievement depends on consistent attendance, while social-emotional interventions can take years to show results. Research and resources from K-12 online learning platforms confirm that student engagement is central to student success. Studies show that strategies focused on personal engagement — such as mentoring and building strong home-school connections — have immediate positive effects on student outcomes. For this reason, efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism may work best when schools start with a deliberate focus on strengthening students’ sense of belonging, purpose, and connection.

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5 Strategies for Improving School Attendance

1. Get the Right People in the Room

The first strategy is one of the simplest, yet most overlooked: get the right people in the room. Rather than limiting these conversations to teachers and administrators, invite bus drivers, cafeteria workers, instructional assistants, counselors, and coaches, as these adults often know students in ways the classroom never reveals. Together, your team should build a complete picture of each at-risk student: what they’re good at, what they care about, and who they trust. That knowledge isn’t just background information; it’s the raw material for interventions rooted in personal engagement and genuine connection.

2. Build School-Wide Routines that Create a Culture of Attendance

The second strategy is to build school-wide routines that create a culture of attendance before problems take hold. Schools that wait for absenteeism to surface are already behind. Small, consistent habits built into the school day can shift the culture early.

For students in preschool through second grade, teachers should greet each student by name and check in using visual feelings charts or soft start routines. At this age, feeling seen each morning can be the difference between a child who looks forward to school and one who doesn’t. For older students, morning meetings, advisory periods, and peer-connected recognition programs are natural opportunities to build attendance-focused routines – acknowledging improvement, not just perfection. Across all grade bands, celebrating attendance milestones through announcements or classroom recognition sends a clear message: showing up matters.

3. The Right People in the Building Taking Deliberate Action

The third strategy is perhaps the most personal: the adults in your building taking deliberate action to re-engage students who are losing their connection to school. What often makes the real difference is a single trusted adult who consistently shows up for a student.

Teachers can start small with a check-in at the door, a flexible seating option, or a low-pressure catch-up routine that lets a returning student ease back in without embarrassment. Counselors can offer support and work directly with families to find out what’s getting in the way. The school nurse can address chronic health concerns and facilitate a doctor referral when needed, removing a barrier that no attendance plan ever touched.

Support staff can play a critical role, too. A phone call that feels like a conversation rather than a consequence, or a connection to a local food pantry or family success center, can shift a family’s entire relationship with the school.

At every level, it comes down to the same thing: personal engagement. Not paperwork, not policy — people.

4. Deploy Supports for Chronic Absenteeism

The fourth strategy is for students whose absences have become severely chronic and who need a whole-school response that pulls every available resource around that child and their family.

Administrators should arrange a home visit or virtual meeting as a gesture that communicates urgency without blame. Teachers can modify expectations so reentry feels manageable rather than overwhelming. A simple reentry meeting with a staff member and parent present gives the student a supported way back in. Every severely chronically absent student should have an assigned mentor adult in the building, and a peer buddy on reentry days can make the transition feel less daunting.

When individual efforts fall short, the team must come together formally. A multidisciplinary team should develop a wraparound support plan, and the I&RS team should lead a formal review for long-term supports. When circumstances exceed what the school can handle, such as housing instability, safety concerns, or family crises, referrals to DCP&P, community housing support, or crisis response teams may be necessary. Throughout it all, keep the student included in class or school recognition. It’s a small thing that signals they still belong here.

5. Celebrate Presence

The fifth strategy shifts attention from responding to absence to celebrating presence. Morning announcements, hallway displays, or classroom streak charts tell students that showing up is noticed. Sticker charts and small rewards work well for younger students. For older students, a genuine shout-out from a coach or a note home often lands harder than any certificate.

Celebrate progress, not just perfection. A student who went from missing three days a week to missing one has done something worth acknowledging — and saying so out loud matters.

Figuring out how to improve school attendance isn’t a problem any single strategy, person, or program can solve. But when schools treat attendance as everybody’s business – every adult, every family, every student – things start to change. These five strategies won’t look identical in every building, but the goal behind each one is the same: create a place where students want to show up, feel noticed when they do, and are genuinely missed when they don’t.

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Poetry in Bloom – Using National Poetry Month to Deepen Student Voices

Mironda Perkins — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:09:33 +0000

April is the month we start to see signs of spring. As the weather warms up, the colors begin to peek through, and everything starts to awaken from the cold winter. Emerging green leaves and blooming bulbs and flowers are the perfect inspiration for National Poetry Month—which happens to be April. It’s a great month to read, write, and explore poetry.��

While poetry is something enjoyed throughout the year, this is the month it can take center stage. It is also a great way for students to express themselves.

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Word Choice

One way to get students thinking about how to really show their voice is to think about word choice. Words are the way to show the passion or feelings they are trying to express when writing poems. Encourage students to try several different words when expressing a feeling or description.

Here are a few activities to get students thinking about word choice.

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Start with the �Ǹ�� Experience . You can choose resources and activities geared to your grade level. It’s an easy starting point for any educator!

: This activity can be found in �Ǹ�� Experience and gets students thinking about words that convey more meaning and a stronger description. This would be a good activity to spark creativity with words.

: Students create and perform Haiku poems, drawing inspiration from a video and sound effect related to the current unit of study.

Voice

You can usually recognize someone by the sound of their voice. Voice is a personal and distinct sound. Voice in poetry is also very distinct and personal. A person’s feelings and word choice show their voice. A way to deepen students’ voices in poetry is to let them explore and express themselves through poetry. Have students try different styles of poetry and explore different word choices. A poetry teacher I had in college always made us write at least 4 versions of a poem. She wanted us to really focus on how to get our voice into a poem.

Inspiration

A good way to get students started is to inspire them. After you have read examples and discussed strong words and how to convey feelings, it is time to pick the style of poem and subject. The best way for students to get started is to study the subject closely, brainstorm words or recall a memory or feeling, and list words that come to mind. Some great themes are: nature, places, pictures, memories, key moments in life, or loved ones.

Nature – It is easy for students to sit and observe something as small as an ant or as big as the sky.
Places or Pictures – They can easily be observed and described with vivid adjectives.
Memories, key moments, or loved ones – Students usually have strong feelings they can use to describe these.

Students’ voices can be deepened with word choice, topic, and the passion they put into writing poetry. The key is to give them the freedom and opportunity to explore and express themselves. �Ǹ�� Experience has so many resources to make sure your students’ voices are heard.

Mironda Perkins

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Coming Soon for 2026:��Science��Techbook

David Bryan — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:22:22 +0000

Key takeaways

Approachable Tier 1 instruction motivates students to keep learning
Lessons build foundational math and literacy skills along with science and critical-thinking skills
Teachers benefit from an intuitive interface, slideshow format lessons, and a range of time-saving tools and supports

What’s New for 2026

�Ǹ�� is constantly working to improve our programs so that teachers can be even more effective and students can make greater progress. Science Techbook is no exception! During the 2026–2027 school year, we’re launching a brand new program based on feedback from educators and leaders like you. We’ve heard that you want:

Ways to engage and motivate students each day
Help building foundational math and literacy skills
Reduced teacher workload and more instructional impact

How will the new Science Techbook address these priorities? Let’s look at three areas we’re especially excited about: motivating students with approachable Tier 1 instruction, strengthening critical-thinking and core skills, and empowering every educator.

Motivate Students with Approachable Tier 1 Instruction

When learning is engaging, relevant, and developmentally appropriate, that’s a recipe for capturing student interest and motivating them to continue exploring. Science Techbook provides phenomena-driven storylines with hands-on activities and interactives that��ask students to take on the role of scientist or engineer. They get to make discoveries by asking questions, investigating, analyzing, and collaborating. These types of authentic, yet accessible, experiences with science content help learners better understand and retain concepts—plus, they’re fun!

Strengthen Critical-Thinking and Core Skills

Phenomena-based instruction in Science Techbook asks students to solve real-world problems, during which they develop their critical-thinking skills. Teachers can extend learning by incorporating STEAM Project and STEAM Careers activities, which help students grasp the how and why behind STEAM and engineering topics (and don’t require extra work from teachers!).

That’s not all phenomena-based instruction can do. It also puts math and literacy practice into context to help students understand and remember. And since Science Techbook lessons naturally incorporate math/ELA standards, teachers can reinforce multiple skills at one time. Here are some examples:

Authentic, Applicable Math

Students collect and analyze data as they conduct hands-on and virtual investigations. They also learn to use mathematical models to explain scientific phenomena.

Lifelong Literacy Skills

Learners complete readings after hands-on experiences that introduce phenomena, so they have context for what they’re reading about. They also have accessible ways to improve their literacy skills with lessons presented in slideshow format and tools such as interactive glossaries and the Immersive Reader. With before, during, and after literacy strategies, teachers can focus on vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and phonics.

Empower Every Educator

Regardless of their background or experience,��educators can make an instant impact��with Science Techbook’s classroom-ready lessons offering implementation guidance. Slideshow format lessons with hands-on activities and an intuitive interface translate into less time needed for planning and prepping! What’s more, clear time estimates, lesson sequencing, and built-in scaffolds help teachers stay on track and meet instructional goals.

Incorporate Three-Dimensional Learning

Three-dimensional learning aligned to the NGSS is built into Science Techbook: you’ll find science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas in embedded, point-of-use notes and prompts. Plus, discussion prompts throughout lessons offer helpful ideas for getting students to talk about the science they’re doing with peers.

We’ve got an interactive overview of our new program that you can check out.

Would you like to get a more in-depth look at the new Science Techbook?��Watch our on-demand Engage K-12 webinar!��

Watch Now

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4 Easy Ways to Bring �Ǹ�� Experience to Students

Brandi Bergeron — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:53:53 +0000

To me, �Ǹ�� Experience is more than just another educational technology platform. It’s my professional treasure chest. Whenever a teacher reaches out to me for help with unit planning, I immediately turn to �Ǹ�� as my ultimate thought partner. The treasures within are plentiful, providing a steady stream of curated, high-quality content, along with supplements and innovative ideas that never let me down.

�Ǹ�� Experience makes it easy to bring their resources to the classroom through interactives, SOS strategies, career connections, and ready-to-use activities.�� These jewels from the Experience treasure chest keep the lessons current and applicable, meeting both standards and student needs.

Uncovering the Magic

Spotlight on Strategies (SOS)

The true magic of �Ǹ�� Experience isn’t just having the resources available; it is how easy they seamlessly integrate with the classroom and align with instructional goals. The SOS (Spotlight on Strategies) is the perfect way to take a lesson from average to immersive.��

SOS Strategies are research-based instructional strategies specifically designed to integrate digital media into the classroom in ways that demand interaction. They’re the perfect way to take a lesson from average to immersive.��

One example would be using a strategy like “Pause, Play, Proceed.” In this lesson, students are given a specific task to “look for” or “listen for”�� before the video begins. The students move from being spectators to investigators, hunting for evidence. The lesson now requires the student to actively participate by using this simple strategy. This is just one example of the many strategies hidden within the SOS channel.��

Career Connect

Career Connect is certainly a jewel to discover within the �Ǹ�� Experience. How often does an educator teach a lesson only to hear, “How will I use this in life?” With Career Connect, there are answers to this question! This digital platform connects classrooms with real-world industry professionals through virtual visits, helping students explore careers and understand how classroom learning links to future opportunities. The inquiries are now a launchpad for more discovery and immersive learning.��

A great example of this is a concept lesson, such as water filtration.�� Students not only learn about the concept but also deepen their understanding by connecting with a professional who explains why this work is important and how it may look in a real-world application.��

Immersive Resources

�Ǹ�� Experience‘s immersive resources are a suite of next‑generation digital learning tools, such as augmented reality apps, narrative-driven adventures, gamified learning experiences, and interactive simulations, that are designed to deeply engage students by placing them inside realistic, sensory-rich environments where they can explore, problem‑solve, and experience content as if they were “there.”

For example, you can take the agricultural concept, which can be hard for students to understand in certain situations, and apply it to a gamified simulation. Within the Cooperative Minds resources, you’ll find a 3D gamified learning experience where students step into the role of a co‑op farmer. Students analyze soil, choose crops and fertilizer, decide when to harvest, and even operate a combine in the simulation.

Using a real simulation allows students to step into an environment where they can put their knowledge into practice. This allows students to “see” the direct consequences of their actions.

Virtual Field Trips

A �Ǹ�� Virtual Field Trip is a curated, multimedia learning event that features video tours, expert interviews, and interactive resources. They’re designed to connect classroom instruction to authentic, real‑world environments and experiences through digital technology. Following up on any lesson with a Virtual Field Trip further solidifies understanding of the concept. These hidden treasures within Career Connect and STEM Coalition level up instruction and active learning, and ignite students’ interest. A simple concept lesson can be elevated to spark genuine curiosity in a student’s chosen field.

Every time I open �Ǹ�� Experience, I uncover something new – another gem that transforms learning.�� From research-backed SOS strategies to the real-world magic of Virtual Field Trips and Career Connections, these jewels are an easy way to turn an average lesson into one that sparkles and shines, sparking curiosity and igniting discovery.��

Brandi Bergeron

Brandi is the Academic Technology Coordinator for the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge in Louisiana.

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Engineering the Future: Bridging CTE and National Engineers Week

Dr. Sharon Jones, Ed.D — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 22:21:29 +0000

February is a powerhouse month for connecting academics with careers. We find ourselves at the intersection of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month and National Engineers Week (E-Week). It’s the perfect moment to show students that the “E” in STEM isn’t just an academic subject, it’s a high-demand career pathway built on technical skill and creative problem-solving.

Some of the strongest classroom connections happen when we show the parallel between “learning a concept” and “training for a career.” When students see how a geometry lesson or a physics experiment translates into a paycheck and a purpose, their engagement skyrockets. This is learning applied in its most authentic form.

To make the connection between CTE and engineering concrete, we’ve created two engaging, high-impact activities. These classroom-ready resources transform abstract concepts into tangible, professional practice and are aligned with national standards.

Activity 1: The "Blueprint-to-Build" Relay

CTE x Civil & Mechanical Engineering

Engineering starts with a plan; CTE brings that plan to life. This activity highlights the relationship between Architectural Drafting and Construction Trades.

The Challenge: Divide the class into “Design Firms” (Engineers) and “Field Crews” (Technicians).��
The Task:��

Designers receive a goal (e.g., “Build a bridge that spans 12 inches using only 10 straws”). They must draw a detailed, labeled schematic with precise measurements. Provide the Designers with 10 minutes to design.�� While designers are designing, field crews can prep their building space
Field Crews can only use the drawing to build. They cannot speak to the designers during the build phase.�� Provide the field crews 10 minutes to build the design

The Reflection: Discuss where communication worked and where it�� failed. What would have students done the same or differently? How important is communication in the iteration of a design?��

This mirrors the real-world synergy required in modern manufacturing and construction.

Standards Alignment:

NGSS (MS-ETS1-4): Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process.
Common Core Math (7.G.B.6): Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume, and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects.
Common Core ELA (WHST.6-8.4): Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Activity 2: The "Sustainability Audit"

CTE x Environmental Engineering

This activity connects the CTE focus on Business and Natural Resources with the engineering goal of Sustainable Design.

The Challenge: Ask students to conduct a “Micro-Audit” of the school cafeteria or a classroom. They must identify one “waste stream” (e.g., food waste, electricity usage, or paper consumption).
The Task: Students design a technical solution or process improvement to reduce that waste by 10%.
STEM Careers Coalition Connection: Use the to watch a profile on a Sustainability Coordinator, Environmental Engineer or .
The Pivot: Students draft a “Technical Proposal” explaining the logic of their design.

Standards Alignment:

NGSS (MS-ETS1-1): Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution.
Common Core Math (6.RP.A.3): Use ratio and rate reasoning to solve real-world problems (calculating the 10% reduction).
Common Core ELA (RST.6-8.1): Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.

Activity 3: The "Blueprint-to-Build" Relay

CTE x Civil & Mechanical Engineering

Engineering starts with a plan; CTE brings that plan to life. This activity highlights the relationship between Architectural Drafting and Construction Trades.

The Challenge: Divide the class into “Design Firms” (Engineers) and “Field Crews” (Technicians).��
The Task:��

Designers receive a goal (e.g., “Build a bridge that spans 12 inches using only 10 straws”). They must draw a detailed, labeled schematic with precise measurements. Provide the Designers with 10 minutes to design.�� While designers are designing, field crews can prep their building space
Field Crews can only use the drawing to build. They cannot speak to the designers during the build phase.�� Provide the field crews 10 minutes to build the design

The Reflection: Discuss where communication worked and where it�� failed. What would have students done the same or differently? How important is communication in the iteration of a design?��

This mirrors the real-world synergy required in modern manufacturing and construction.

Standards Alignment:

NGSS (MS-ETS1-4): Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed object, tool, or process.
Common Core Math (7.G.B.6): Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume, and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects.
Common Core ELA (WHST.6-8.4): Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Why This Matters Now

CTE Month celebrates the how, and Engineers Week celebrates the why. By combining them, you help students build a STEM Identity. They start to see that being “good at school” is the first step toward being “good at a career.”

However, this bridge between the classroom and the career shouldn’t stop when the month ends. These strategies remain a powerful way to fuel student engagement and keep learning relevant as you move into your March and April lesson planning, there is always a place for “learning applied.”

Explore more industry-aligned activities at the STEM Careers Coalition Resource Center.

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The ART of Kindness: One Educator’s Reflections

Dr. Jocelyn Gordon — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 21:44:13 +0000

Imagine a life where intentional kindness drives every interaction and inspires authentic change every day. That is my goal for you: to make purposeful kindness a passionate part of your daily routine.

Have you ever said:

�� “I want to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
��“I dread Mondays and just look forward to Fridays.”

Have you ever said:

“I wish my students or colleagues could see the value they bring to our culture and climate”?
“I’d love to have a better relationship with the local community.”

If so, you are in the right place!

I recall the day one of my former principals asked me to serve as the advisor for The National BETA Club, and I was given the task of leading over 300 students in grades 9-12 at a time when our lives were restricted due to remote learning. Although I had no clue how to lead students during this time, I quickly began assessing and designing a plan to engage our students and faculty members in “The Art of Kindness.” ��

The BETAS completed various initiatives to support “The Art of Kindness.” ��They focused on three of the four BETA Club pillars to foster character, leadership, and service throughout the school year. Students collected and created Valentine’s Day cards, coloring books, candy, crayons, and games. We celebrated counselors during National Counselor Week by decorating their conference room, providing snacks throughout the week, decorating their doors with words of appreciation, and sending cards.

“The Art of Kindness” transformed the culture and climate, developing authentic leaders during challenging times. As a result, I built strong relationships with students, parents, and the local community, and we genuinely transformed participants’ mindsets about the power of kindness. Five ways to foster kindness in a classroom, school, or community include:

A wall or bulletin board of appreciation creates a safe space and evolves within the school’s ecosystem will uplift the stakeholders in the building. Utilize the morning announcements or your school’s weekly newsletter to remind students and teachers to pause, read, and reflect!

Seeking donations from local businesses is a great way to promote goodwill and build community relationships. Also, encourage students to volunteer with local businesses, churches, or community centers to assist with food drives, toiletries, reading books, tutoring students in after-school care, and clothing giveaways. ��For example, the BETAs wrote a grant through the city to supply, “Books and Blankets to Pilgrims’ Inn.”

A Kindness Appreciation Week fosters innovation and builds unity within the school community. Student leaders can create specific acts of kindness for each day of the week. It’s a great way to celebrate all stakeholders in the building!��

Collecting perishable food items is integral to local communities. We witnessed this when we gave to the Rock Hill Community Fridge and The Mercantile in Rock Hill, SC, which provides free food to those in need and offers information on how to host a fridge or adopt one for the week.

The Art of Kindness Campaign is an opportunity for stakeholders to randomly share a 30-second video on various ways to intentionally exemplify kindness daily. For example, students could volunteer by participating with a local church, such as New Mount Olivet A.M.E Zion Outreach Ministry at the Olive Branch Facility, during the Toiletries and Clothing Giveaway.

As you move forward, I hope you choose kindness every day. Remember, even the smallest acts can spark lasting change, build stronger relationships, and create a more connected and compassionate community. The power to make a difference is in your hands. It starts with you!

Dr. Jocelyn Gordon is the Innovation & Content Integration Science Specialist for Clover School District in Clover, South Carolina.��

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Lesson Plan Template | How to Write a Lesson Plan

Katie Wickliff — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:27:44 +0000

Key takeaways

An effective lesson plan has clear objectives, purposeful activities, and meaningful assessments
Activities should be closely aligned with learning goals; no “busy work.”
Lesson plans should contain a mix of formative and summative assessments to check for understanding.
Reflection helps create stronger teachers and is an essential part of any lesson.

Get Our Free Lesson Plan Template

Download the lesson plan template to start designing clear objectives, aligned activities, and meaningful assessments that strengthen instruction and support student success.

Lesson planning is an integral part of teaching and serves as the blueprint for purposeful instruction and deeper learning. However, lesson planning is much more than choosing “fun” activities and games that students will enjoy. While engagement is incredibly important for learning, an effective lesson plan outlines clear learning goals, carefully chosen teaching strategies, and effective ways to assess student progress. In this article, we take a closer look at lesson plans, breaking down the essential components and providing step-by-step guidance. Plus, we share a free lesson plan template to help you get started designing lessons that truly transform learning.��

What is a Lesson Plan?

Simply put, a lesson plan is a detailed guide of what students need to learn, how the teacher will facilitate that learning, and how the learning will be measured. It should always be written out–physically or digitally–well before the lesson takes place. A well-prepared lesson encourages organization, time management, and is key to feeling less stressed out in the classroom! While every lesson plan is unique, just like every student and classroom, all include several key components that we’ll examine more closely.��

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How to Write an Effective Lesson Plan

There are six main steps to writing an effective lesson plan, and each deserves as much time and care as the others. If that seems overwhelming, please don’t worry! Designing a purposeful lesson does take patience and flexibility, but with practice, you’ll naturally begin to consider the important questions in each step.��

Lesson Objectives and Learning Goals

The most important part of lesson planning is identifying clear objectives and learning goals. What do you want your students to understand and be able to do? This backward design ensures that your lesson is meaningful, effective, and focused. There are many ways to determine your objectives, but using the SMART goal-setting criteria is especially helpful for planning.��

Specific: Do the objectives clearly state what students should learn?��
Measurable: How can the learning be measured?��
Attainable:�� Are the goals realistic for your students, and can they be met in the learning environment?
Relevant: Do the goals align with state or school standards and clearly support what students are expected to learn?��
Timely: Does your lesson have a specific, realistic timeframe for completing the activities and reaching the learning goal?

Although this process may seem overly detailed at first, breaking objectives into manageable steps makes lesson planning more straightforward. Even more importantly, it helps you feel confident that your lesson is teaching students the concepts or skills they need.

Design the Assessment

In this second stage of planning, design the assessments students will complete to demonstrate their learning. Following the principles of backward design, assessment is designed before lesson planning, keeping the focus on learning outcomes rather than activities or “busy work.” Lessons should offer both formative and summative assessments.��

Assessments

Formative assessments are quick ways to gather information throughout the lesson to determine how well the students are learning and monitor their progress. These assessments can also help identify misunderstandings so you can address them before the lesson progresses. Examples of formative assessments include“fist to five,” where students hold up fingers to show how much they understand; online polls or quizzes on an interactive learning platform; or exit tickets to find out what kids remember or what questions they still have. Formative assessments can be as straightforward or as creative as you want, like drawing a sketch or writing a letter to a friend explaining what they learned.��

On the other hand, summative assessments are formal measures of how well your students have learned. Summative assessments are higher-stakes and often count for a larger portion of students’ grades. Examples of summative assessments include: traditional exams, written reflections, group projects, or portfolios. In addition to measuring whether students have achieved learning objectives, summative assessments provide teachers with data to use as they reflect on their lessons and make adjustments for the future.��

You likely won’t have a summative assessment after each lesson; these typically take place at the end of a unit or the entire course. However, it’s important to design the summative assessment before planning the learning activities, because knowing the final goal helps students understand what they are working toward. It also helps teachers focus their instruction and avoid getting sidetracked by activities that don’t contribute to students’ success on the final learning evaluation.

Lesson Procedure

After you identify the learning objectives and create the assessments, develop the lesson procedure. This is a step-by-step guide to how the lesson will progress from beginning to end.��

Hook/Introduction

Spend time developing the introduction, because captivating your students’ attention from the beginning is important. In fact, that students who feel positive at the beginning of a lesson feel more motivated and confident, which supports their overall learning.��

To design a creative introduction that sparks your students’ interest, you could share a powerful personal anecdote, show a short video, or conduct a fun, hands-on quiz. As you plan, ask yourself:��

How will I find out what students already know about this topic?��
What opinions, beliefs, or ideas might they already have?��
Are there any common misunderstandings about this topic?

Learning Activities

After you’ve created your hook, the next step is to map out the learning activities, or what students will actually be doing. Remember to include quick formative assessments and finish with a summative assessment (if appropriate). A strong lesson usually includes a balance of direct instruction, guided practice, and independent work.

With direct instruction, the teacher explains the concept, models the skill, and demonstrates how to do the work. Then, guided practice allows students to try the activity with the teacher’s support and feedback, building the confidence to work independently.��

When planning activities, keep your unique students and classroom in mind. Questions to ask yourself include:��

What type of instruction works best for this lesson?��
How will I model the skill?
How will I adjust this for students who need more support or a deeper challenge?��
How/where can I pause to check for understanding?��
Is the allotted time realistic?��
Does the activity help students achieve the overall learning goals?��

When it comes to planning specific activities, the sky’s the limit! The most effective activities depend on the topic, time, or environmental constraints, and the specific knowledge or skills you want students to gain. Some activity ideas can include:��

Think-Pair-Share: Students think about a question and then discuss their answers with a partner. Finally, the partners share their ideas with the whole class or another small group.��
Debate: Students research and then debate the best method for solving a problem.��
Jigsaw: Students become “experts” on a different type of problem or concept and then teach it to other students in their group.��
Journaling: Students answer prompts, solve problems, and reflect on what they’ve learned. Journaling can also be a way for students to ask the teacher questions they may not feel confident enough to ask aloud.��
Logic Puzzles: Students solve puzzles or problems that require critical and flexible thinking. They can be collaborative or independent and are a low-stakes way to promote stamina and curiosity about a topic.��
Real-World Projects: Working independently or in small groups, students apply their knowledge and skills to tackle a challenge they might encounter in everyday life.
Online Learning Platforms: Students use online learning platforms or apps to practice skills through interactive games and challenges. This allows each student to work at their own pace and get instant feedback.

Reflection

Another essential part of lesson planning is reflection, but this important step is often overlooked. The school day is hectic, and many teachers feel pressure to quickly move to the next learning objective. However, making space to reflect on a lesson provides invaluable information that helps you become a stronger teacher. Here are some questions to get you started:��

What went well? How do you know? What evidence do you have?
What would you change?��
What surprised you?��
Were the students engaged? Why or why not?��
Did I adjust instruction for different learners?��
Was the pacing too fast/too slow?��

Reflection doesn’t have to be as formal as the main lesson plan. What matters most is choosing a method you’ll consistently use. Whether making quick notes on your phone, writing in a journal, or using a structured template, the goal is to take time to self-reflect.

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Flipped Classroom: Benefits, Challenges & How to Start

Heather Hinde — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 21:36:52 +0000

Key takeaways

The flipped classroom model shifts where direct instruction takes place. Class time is used for hands-on learning, collaboration, discussion, and small-group instruction.
This model promotes student-centered, responsive instruction, allowing students to learn at their own pace when accessing content at home and giving teachers more time to differentiate learning for students.
The role of the teacher shifts from lecturer to facilitator, and teachers spend more one-on-one time with students and act as a guide when providing targeted instruction.
Successful implementation depends on systems, assessment, planning, and resources.

Intentional, student-centered instruction in today’s classrooms is essential for successful student outcomes. Large learning gaps exist, and it is essential to accommodate a variety of learning modalities in order to reach students who are constantly engaged with technology.��

Consider a classroom where students watch a short video on photosynthesis at home. The next day, they arrive in class buzzing with questions and excited to dive deeper. The teacher can then facilitate a hands-on experiment, guiding small groups as they explore the process using plant samples. This approach embodies the flipped classroom model, an effective strategy to maximize instructional time and shift to a student-centered instructional approach to effectively address the needs of all students in the classroom.

What is a flipped classroom?

A flipped classroom model is a method of instruction in which the main lecture or initial exposure to a new concept occurs outside the classroom, without the classroom teacher. When students arrive in the classroom, the teacher provides small-group instruction, and students participate in projects to build their knowledge.

This model of instruction has been described in various ways, including a blended learning model, a non-traditional learning model, a modern instructional practice, and an active learning model. These different names help to capture the shift in how learning happens, with students engaging more actively and teachers providing targeted support during class time.

Pros and Cons of a Flipped Classroom:

This non-traditional flipped classroom model offers many potential benefits for both students and teachers.

Benefits of a Flipped Classroom

Encourages student responsibility for learning
Creates a more responsive learning experience
Allows students to come prepared with questions
Increases teacher time for small-group support
Promotes collaboration and hands-on learning
Reduces time spent on lectures
More teacher–student interactions
Provides more support for struggling students

This instructional approach offers several benefits that support student learning and engagement. By shifting direct instruction outside the classroom, teachers can spend more time working closely with their students, addressing questions, and providing targeted support. Many teachers highly enjoy this method of instruction. Teachers say that students have a greater sense of responsibility for their learning and come to class excited to apply what they have learned. Students look forward to collaborating with peers and love having the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities. This meaningful structure is especially helpful for students who may need additional time or support, as it allows teachers to differentiate instruction, respond to individual learning needs, and help students build connections, making learning more applicable to the real world.

While these advantages highlight the great potential of this model to improve classroom instruction, it is also important to consider some of the challenges and limitations reported by teachers when implementing this approach.

Cons of a Flipped Classroom

Students may come to class unprepared
Limited or no access to technology��
Lack of support at home to help with access��
More planning time for teachers��
Increased responsibility may be challenging for some students

Simple solutions can be implemented to help mitigate some of these potential issues. For example, if a student did not have the opportunity to watch the lesson before coming to class, teachers can provide time during the school day that student to access the lesson so they can still participate in the planned activities. When working with grade-level team members using the flipped classroom model, or when implementing it at the school level, it’s possible to brainstorm ways to secure more planning time for teachers. Simply thinking ahead about these obstacles can help create a solid foundation for a very successful teaching model.

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How to Implement a Flipped Classroom:

There are many factors to ensure the flipped classroom model is effective. This comes down to systems, assessment, planning, and resources.

Step 1: Reflect on the Systems Needed

There are many different ways to design and organize a flipped classroom. Reflecting on the types of systems needed will help to organize learning effectively. Consider the following questions:

How will you ensure students come to class prepared to engage in meaningful learning activities? What will you do if they are not prepared?
What will learning look like at home and in the classroom?
How will you use the of your grade level standards to design your instructional approach to ensure students have obtained the necessary skills?
How will you communicate learning expectations to students and their families?

Reflecting on these questions will help you create the systems needed for a flipped classroom to be effective.

Step 2: Determine Assessment

Assessment is key when planning instruction in a flipped classroom. Using assessment enables teachers to effectively differentiate instruction and identify potential gaps before delivering grade-level lessons. In some cases, assessments may be used to determine student readiness before introducing new content. Teachers can adjust instruction to ensure lessons are accessible and appropriately scaffolded for all learners. Asking the following questions can aid in determining how assessment will be used in a flipped classroom model:

How and when will you assess student knowledge? Do students need to complete assessments at home before coming to class, or after the learning has taken place?
How will you communicate assessment expectations to families if students take assessments at home?
How will you incorporate benchmark or quarterly assessments to address learning gaps prior to introducing grade-level content?
Will you administer pre- and post-tests or exit tickets? Where will these take place, and what resources will you use?

Understanding what students know and should be able to do before planning instruction allows teachers to intentionally decide which lessons should be provided at home and which students may need additional instruction before accessing them. This type of planning helps teachers anticipate student needs and build lessons that establish a solid foundation before introducing new content. There are also effective programs, such as those available through �Ǹ��, that support adapting instruction to students’ learning needs, saving teachers time while ensuring learning gaps are addressed. These assessment considerations will help teachers to maximize their impact when planning to use a flipped classroom model.

Step 3: Planning & Resources

Once student assessment data has been reviewed, intentional planning becomes the solid foundation of a successful flipped classroom. During the planning process, teachers can utilize personal or online instructional videos and digital resources to support at-home or in-class learning. Implementing a flipped classroom model requires careful consideration of the following:

Which lessons and resources are appropriate for students to complete independently?
Which concepts and activities will require direct teacher support?
How will in-class time be structured to allow for collaboration, discussion, and project-based learning?
How will questions be addressed?
How will instruction be differentiated, and which activities will meet the needs of all learners?

A key goal of this planning is to intentionally address all needs while building 21st-century skills by creating opportunities for collaboration, technology use, inquiry, and communication. Virtual field trips can also be an effective resource for shared learning experiences prior to class. Doing this will help to ensure that all students have access to the same content and background knowledge. You can always find a wide range of resources in the Discovery K-12 online education program.

Final Thoughts

The flipped classroom model can bring many benefits to both the teacher and the student and can yield high growth if done intentionally. Teachers can always start by trying the flipped classroom model out with one subject at a time to see how it could work in their classroom. It is exciting to know that there is a way to increase the time teachers have to work with groups of students in order to improve engagement, increase instructional flexibility, and support differentiated learning. Small challenges exist in this model, but with a careful plan, great resources, and ongoing reflection, those can be addressed to ensure the flipped classroom remains a fun and effective, equitable instructional approach. Happy teaching!

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How to Plan an Effective School Assembly

Dr. Becky Cahill — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 20:29:23 +0000

Key takeaways

School assemblies are a powerful tool for building community and fostering school pride.
Celebrating achievements and recognizing accomplishments as a whole school brings joy and togetherness.
School assemblies can be used to teach or reinforce important instructional concepts that students will remember for a lifetime.

It can be challenging to build a school community when students typically interact only with their homeroom class in elementary school or with their grade level in middle and high school. School assemblies are a convenient way to bring students together for community-building or instructional purposes.��

As an administrator at the elementary and high school levels, I have witnessed the effective use of assemblies for students of all ages. These planned gatherings have specific purposes and also teach students soft skills for learning in a large-group setting.��

With thoughtful planning, school assemblies can be organized regardless of the resources available to a school. By identifying a clear purpose and forming a strong team, an outstanding school assembly is possible.

What Is a School Assembly and Why Does It Matter?

A school assembly is when a large number of students are brought together in one place within the school building for an event. In some schools, it is possible to bring the entire student body together. However, due to size or limited space, it may mean bringing together a designated portion of the students, such as a grade level or students grouped by last name.��

Student assemblies matter because they can help students learn in new ways and also teach life skills. The main purpose of a school assembly might be a recognition ceremony for students or student-athletes, a presentation by a local author, or even introducing students to animals they might not otherwise see in real life. As students enjoy the community-building or instructional outcomes of the school assembly, they also learn to operate in a large-group setting. Students understand the mechanics of moving and sitting within a crowd, when to speak and when to listen, when audience participation is expected, and what responses are appropriate.��

Along with understanding how to be part of the larger assembled group, students can be given leadership opportunities during school assemblies. The chance to lead in front of your peer group develops skills in student leaders and also sends a message to other students that they are not passive participants in their school journey.

How to Plan an Effective School Assembly

Planning an effective school assembly can feel daunting. However, with time and teamwork, it is possible to incorporate assemblies into the school year in meaningful ways.��

The most important step for planning a school assembly is to think ahead.�� When an idea or opportunity arises, create a team to plan the event.��

An assembly planning team or committee will need to create a list of considerations, which could include:��

Purpose and Alignment

��What is the purpose of the assembly?
How does the assembly speak to a goal associated with the school?

Presenter or Organization

Which presenter or organization can address the intended purpose of the assembly?��
Is this a group within your school (maybe a student organization), or is this an outside entity?��
What do we know about this group?
Is there a message and presentation appropriate for our students?��

Audience

Which groups will be included in the assembly?��
The whole school or a portion of the student body?
Is the presentation better for older or younger students?��

Scheduling and Frequency

How many times will the assembly occur?
If the school were divided, would each group of students attend the assembly?��

Location and Space

What location will you use for the assembly?
How much space does this provide?��
Is this space already in use?��

Timing and Impact on the School Day

What time will the assembly be held?
How does this impact the school day?
Consider arrival, lunch, and dismissal specifically.��

Student Movement and Supervision

How will students enter, sit, and exit the assembly?
There should be a plan for a staggered entry to avoid disruptions.

Safety and Contingency Planning

Are there any safety concerns with the time or location of the event?
Is there enough room for all the people invited?
Can adults safely reach students within the space?
If this is outside, what is the alternate weather plan?��

Cost and Funding

Is there a cost associated with the assembly?
Does the school have the budget?��
Are there any ways to offset the cost? Fundraising? A grant?��

Student Awareness and Expectations

What do the students know about the assembly?
Are the contents a surprise reward for outstanding effort?��
If the assembly is instructional, are students able to understand the material?��
If students have access to cell phones during the school day, will they be allowed to bring them to the assembly?��

Community Involvement and Communication

What is the role of the outside community?
Are parents or families invited?��
How much information will be shared about the assembly’s content and its impact on students’ day?��

The process will take more time initially, but once your school team has a set of dedicated procedures, future assemblies will come together with ease.

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Creative Ideas to Make Assemblies Engaging

Creating an engaging assembly is the most fun part of the planning process. Once a school team has considered the purpose and logistics for an assembly, it is time to consider how to make the event memorable for students. For the majority of school assemblies, the planning team could incorporate the following elements:

Music and Visuals

A cost-effective way to make an assembly more interesting is to include visuals (images, clips, in-person performances) and music to set the tone for the event. You can access a K-12 online learning platform for resources.��

Examples could include the school band or drumline performing, a short clip related to the presentation to prime the audience, a DJ to play music for student entry and exit, or watching a hawk land with a handler during an avian demonstration.

Energy Levels

Each school assembly will have a different purpose, and the energy will match.�� Most assemblies should have high levels of student engagement and energy from the presenters.��

Examples could include watching a live dance, presenters incorporating jokes or humor, a connection with the school or student body (former students or current student groups), an item for students to take home, or surprise elements to captivate students.

Interactive Elements

Students of all ages would prefer to participate rather than sit for an extended period of time.��

Examples could include future fairs, games to start the presentation, questions from the audience, hands-on opportunities with science experiments, a chance to vote for a winner, turn and talk with your neighbor, or a chance to try a new dance move at the end of the assembly.

Variety of Elements

Based on how long an assembly will last, it is a best practice to incorporate a variety of elements so that students are not just sitting and listening.��

Examples could include movement breaks for students, the use of music between elements of the assembly, audience questions during the presentation, different speakers, and movement by the presenters during the event to connect with the entire audience.

The assembly’s tone should be considered when planning. If students are hearing from a speaker about a historical event, some elements, such as visuals and interactive features, could be meaningful, but music and high-energy movement might not be appropriate.��

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the best ways for a planning team to consider elements for an assembly is to know what mistakes to avoid. Here are some things you will want to address proactively:

Students are not aware of behavioral expectations
- Do not assume students know how to behave in an assembly. Take time to have teachers review expectations beforehand.��
The assembly is boring��
- If you spend time planning and changing student schedules for an assembly, you want to ensure it is an enjoyable experience that students will remember.
The assembly is too long or too short��
- Even with the best of intentions, an assembly will lose its meaning if it runs too long or if the school schedule is interrupted by an event that seems to go by in an instant.��
The topic is inappropriate
- Be sure you know exactly what will be presented to your students ahead of time. Consider the students’ ages and maturity levels.��
Participation is limited to the same message or group every time��
- Avoid assemblies that are always planned for the same group of students. For example, awards for student athletes or high achievers are the only time students are assembled.

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Engagement | �Ǹ����

Student-Centered Learning: What is it and how to implement

Key takeaways

Student-centered learning puts the student in the driver’s seat, giving them increased autonomy in their learning.

The benefits of student-centered learning are numerous, including the development and sharpening of critical thinking and other lifelong learning skills.

Despite some obstacles, implementing student-centered learning can become a reality with a few simple guidelines.

What is student-centered learning?

Benefits of student-centered learning

Explore K-12 Instruction & Pedagogy Resources

Challenges of student-centered learning

How to implement student-centered learning

5 Strategies for Improving School Attendance

Key takeaways

Chronic absenteeism doesn't exist in isolation. High absenteeism rates, low academic achievement, and social disengagement are so intertwined that addressing one without the others is rarely enough.

Improving school attendance is most effective when schools start with a deliberate focus on personal engagement, strengthening each student's sense of belonging, purpose, and connection to their school community.

When all school staff, families, and community partners work together around the needs of individual students, schools are better equipped to make real, lasting progress.

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5 Strategies for Improving School Attendance

1. Get the Right People in the Room

2. Build School-Wide Routines that Create a Culture of Attendance

3. The Right People in the Building Taking Deliberate Action

4. Deploy Supports for Chronic Absenteeism

5. Celebrate Presence

Poetry in Bloom – Using National Poetry Month to Deepen Student Voices

Word Choice

Voice

Inspiration

Mironda Perkins

Delve into Experience and Learn More Ways to Bring Poetry to Life!

Coming Soon for 2026:��Science��Techbook

Key takeaways

Approachable Tier 1 instruction motivates students to keep learning

Lessons build foundational math and literacy skills along with science and critical-thinking skills

Teachers benefit from an intuitive interface, slideshow format lessons, and a range of time-saving tools and supports

What’s New for 2026

Motivate Students with Approachable Tier 1 Instruction

Strengthen Critical-Thinking and Core Skills

Authentic, Applicable Math

Lifelong Literacy Skills

Empower Every Educator

Incorporate Three-Dimensional Learning

4 Easy Ways to Bring �Ǹ���� Experience to Students

Uncovering the Magic

Brandi Bergeron

Learn More About �Ǹ���� Experience and Discover How it Engages Every Student

Engineering the Future: Bridging CTE and National Engineers Week

Activity 1: The "Blueprint-to-Build" Relay

Standards Alignment:

Activity 2: The "Sustainability Audit"

Standards Alignment:

Activity 3: The "Blueprint-to-Build" Relay

Standards Alignment:

Why This Matters Now

Explore more industry-aligned activities at the STEM Careers Coalition Resource Center.

The ART of Kindness: One Educator’s Reflections

The Art of Kindness 1 - Create a space where people can share positive messages about classmates or coworkers.

The Art of Kindness 2: Work with local businesses to see if they will donate prizes to thank stakeholders for their kindness.

The Art of Kindness 3: Hold a Kindness Spirit Week to encourage everyone to treat others well and do what is right.

The Art of Kindness 4: Collect food that can be given to a local food pantry.

The Art of Kindness 5: Promote an Art of Kindness campaign in which stakeholders share a brief description of how they will intentionally illustrate kindness within and beyond their school community.

Prepare Students for the Future with Engaging, Curriculum Aligned Resources

Lesson Plan Template | How to Write a Lesson Plan

Key takeaways

An effective lesson plan has clear objectives, purposeful activities, and meaningful assessments

Activities should be closely aligned with learning goals; no “busy work.”

Lesson plans should contain a mix of formative and summative assessments to check for understanding.

Reflection helps create stronger teachers and is an essential part of any lesson.

Get Our Free Lesson Plan Template

What is a Lesson Plan?

Explore K-12 Classroom Management Resources

How to Write an Effective Lesson Plan

Lesson Objectives and Learning Goals

Design the Assessment

Assessments

Lesson Procedure

Hook/Introduction

Learning Activities

Reflection

Flipped Classroom: Benefits, Challenges & How to Start

Key takeaways

Engagement | �Ǹ��

4 Easy Ways to Bring �Ǹ�� Experience to Students

Learn More About �Ǹ�� Experience and Discover How it Engages Every Student

The Art of Kindness 1  - Create a space where people can share positive messages about classmates or coworkers.