In this episode, we delve back into our discussion about the book 'Grading for Equity' by Joe Feldman. The third chapter which we are exploring is titled 'How Traditional Grading Stifles Risk Taking and Supports the Commodity of Grades' and opens up the conversation about belief systems and the prevailing view on student achievement. We discuss the…

In this episode, we delve deeper into the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, examining the pillar of 'action and expression'. We review the importance of different methods and accommodations that allow students to demonstrate their learning in the most effective manner. We'll also highlight potential barriers, such as physical impairme…

In this episode, we are discussing the challenges and successes that we have experienced with destreaming in our classrooms. Specifically, we'll chat about the new grade 9 English curriculum, continuing efforts with other destreaming program areas, and how to best support teachers that are implementing destreaming. If you like what you hear, we wou…

This week, we are talking all about how we start out using various opening routines in our mastery-based classrooms. Specifically, we will share how we set up our courses and some daily activities you can use with your students to get them ready for learning. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleag…

This week, we are continuing our book study with chapter 2 of Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms by Joe Feldman. Specifically, we will dive into the history of schools and grading and examine what's changed and what's not changed (which is a lot!). If you like what you hear, we would love…

This week, we are chatting all about station-based learning. This instructional model is frequently used at the elementary level, so our focus for this conversation is how to implement station-based learning in the secondary classroom. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make s…

This week, we are chatting about how Rachel's grading approach is shifting this year. Specifically, we will chat about standards-based grading, how Rachel is applying standards-based grading in her classroom, and where she hopes to be with her grading approaches in this school year. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share thi…

This week, we are chatting about technology use with students and how parents can best support that at home. We will share a little bit of our own struggles as parents and also some ideas that we have as educators to help support families. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And ma…

This week, we are sharing our podcasting process. We'll get into our past and current podcasting practices, as well as the apps and tools that we use and love! Whether you are interested in podcasting for yourself or with your students, this episode is packed full of great tips and tricks to get you started. If you like what you hear, we would love…

This week, we are starting our book study with chapter 1 of Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms by Joe Feldman. Specifically, we will dive into what makes grading so difficult to talk about and even harder to change. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episo…

This week, we are chatting about providing options for comprehension in the classroom. Using the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) framework and representation pillar, we're going to share some different strategies on how we can help students make information accessible, but also how to transform that into knowledge they can use. If you like what…

In this episode, we are exploring asset vs deficit mindsets in education. We'll go over our observations as well as some of our ideas to shift away from a deficit mindset in our classrooms. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out o…

This week, we are setting our goals for the upcoming school year. We'll chat about both our professional and our personal goals, from mastery-based learning to leadership goals and maintaining a good work-life balance this year. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you…

This week, we are talking all about how to build buy-in for ungrading in your school community. We'll discuss ungrading buy-in strategies for various different stakeholders such as teachers, admin, parents, and most importantly, students. Let's start talking about ungrading! If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episod…

In this episode, we are exploring ways to set up your Learning Management System (LMS) effectively and efficiently to optimize course organization and learning for your students. We'll go over tips, strategies, and ideas for setting up your LMS, whether it is Brightspace, Canvas, Schoology, Google Classroom, or something else. If you like what you …

In this episode, we are talking all about an amazing, and easy-to-use tool called Canva. We will be diving into the how-tos, ideas for using Canva with your students, features within Canva, and the differences between the types of accounts (free, pro, and education). If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a…

This week, we are discussing the why and how of creating effective instructional videos for your classroom. We'll share some considerations for creating videos, as well as tools you might want to use and tips and tricks to help you along the way. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend.…

In this episode, we are getting into the debate of which tool we think is better - Google Slides or Google Jamboard. We'll do comparisons of different features and give you our overall impressions and preferences for these two tools. So stay tuned and make sure you listen right to the end! If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could sh…

This week, we are talking about the use of digital portfolios in the classroom. We'll explore why you would want to use portfolios, how to assess or evaluate portfolios, and our best tips and suggestions to make portfolios a success in your classroom. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or fr…

This week, we are talking all about grading in a mastery-based learning classroom. We'll share our learning as well as guiding principles to keep in mind as you consider grading practices in your mastery-based structured classroom. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure …

In this episode, we are sharing our summer reading list for teachers. We'll go over what we are currently reading, recommendations for reading, as well as what we want to read ourselves this summer. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t m…

This week, we are helping you harness the power of cognitive principles to elevate your teaching practice. In this final instalment of our book study, we'll explore how we can leverage all of our learning from Daniel Willingham's book "Why Don't Students Like School" to help us become the best teachers that we can be. If you like what you hear, we …

This week, we are chatting about how to help students to make the most sense of language and symbols in the classroom. Using the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) framework and representation pillar, we are exploring ways to provide support and reduce barriers to language and symbols. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share…

This week, we are chatting about how technology has (or hasn't really) impacted student learning. We're talking about how technology affects the learning and cognitive processes of our students, as well as the pros and cons of new technology and adopting these in the classroom. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this epi…

This week, we are sharing our favourite formative assessment tools. Formative assessment is essentially how we are assessing students for what they know while they are learning it in an ongoing format. There are so many great EdTech tools available to provide feedback to your students while they are learning, so we are sharing our favourites for in…

In this episode, we are joined by a special guest from the Vancouver School Board, Jessica Liew, to chat about shifting our grading practices in the classroom. We'll get into all things assessment, focusing on standards-based grading, growth mindsets, and proficiency scales. Get ready to get nerdy about assessment! If you like what you hear, we wou…

This week, we are chatting about why teachers are feeling so tired as well as identifying some strategies to cope and survive the rest of this school year. The exhaustion this school year is real so we are sharing different approaches we are taking to make it to summer in one piece! If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share thi…

This week, we are getting an update on Katie's project with Living Hyphen. She will be sharing updates on her dual language book project-based learning. The book has printed and officially launched! If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t m…

This week, we are chatting all about the 100-point scale, why it is biased towards failure, and what we can do instead to make our grading a bit more biased-resistant. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! And…

This week, we are tackling the topic of our different types of learners and how we can support our learners who are a little bit more slow in the classroom. We'll go over the difference between cognitive ability and cognitive styles, as well as intelligence and how all of our students can build their intelligence in our classes. If you like what yo…

This week, we are chatting about how to boost student perception using multiple modalities. Using the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) framework and representation pillar, we are exploring ways to provide options for perception in the classroom. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or frien…

This week, we are chatting all about specifications (or specs) grading. This is an alternative grading strategy that focuses on mastery of learning by defining specific requirements for what students need to meet. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so t…

This week, we are chatting about Living Hyphen, an organization that explores the experiences of hyphenated Canadians. Katie is sharing how her work with this organization is being used in her ESL classroom, by creating identity texts using a project-based learning (PBL) approach. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this …

This week, we are chatting about leadership in schools. We discuss both formal and informal leadership opportunities that you can become involved in with your school community to begin your journey as a leader. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that…

This week, we are diving further into the book "Why Don't Students Like School?" by Daniel Willingham. Specifically, we are exploring ideas of understanding abstract ideas, practice that works, and thinking like the experts. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you sub…

This week, we are chatting about learner variability in the context of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Learner variability is not just simply learning styles; we'll define what learner variability is as well as the various strategies that we can use in the classroom to support all of our learners. If you like what you hear, we would love it if…

In this 50TH episode of the podcast, we'll be discussing podcasting in the classroom. We'll get into the why behind podcasting as well as the prep & tools you need to get started. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new …

This week, we are chatting all about leading change in education. Whether you are in a formal leadership position or an informal role, change is uncomfortable and messy. We've got some great tips and strategies on what you can do to lead change in your school community. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode wit…

This week, we are tackling the skill of self-regulation. As the third and final part of the engagement section of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, self-regulation is an area that doesn't get a lot of focus on in the classroom. We unpack this section of the UDL framework as well as chat about different ways that you can integrate e…

This week, we are chatting all about Chat GPT, an AI (artificial intelligence) chatbot. We'll give you our initial thoughts and reactions to Chat GPT, as well as what this might mean for education and our classrooms. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe s…

This week, we are diving further into the book "Why Don't Students Like School?" by Daniel Willingham. Specifically, we are exploring ideas of critical thinking, memory, and the importance of background knowledge in remembering key ideas and concepts. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or fr…

This week, we are chatting all about change with mastery learning in our classrooms! Specifically, we'll reflect on where we are at in our implementation journey as well as what changes we are going to make moving forward into the new semester. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. A…

This week, we are exploring the sustaining effort and persistence aspect of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. We'll go over the four key checkpoints within effort and persistence as well as explain how you can start to implement some ideas in your classroom. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episod…

This week, we are starting a new book talk series! We are chatting about our learning and reflections on chapter 1 from Daniel Willingham's book, Why Don't Students Like School? There are lots of great brain-based and scientifically-backed ideas for your classroom in this book! If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this epi…

This week, we are back and reflecting on the 2022 year. We'll chat about what we've struggled with and what we've learned as well as what our goals are for the new year. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so that you don’t miss out on any new content! A…

This week, we are diving deeper into the UDL (Universal Design for Learning) framework by exploring multiple means of engagement in the classroom. Specifically, we are focusing our discussion on how to spark excitement and curiosity in the classroom. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or fri…

In this episode, we are exploring the ways that you can leverage technology to support the English language learners in your classroom. We'll cover tech tools such as Google Read&Write and Mote, as well as some general tips and strategies for designing an inclusive and safe learning environment for your students. If you like what you hear, we would…

This week, we are chatting all about specifications (or specs) grading. This is an alternative grading strategy that focuses on mastery of learning by defining specific requirements for what students need to meet. If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And make sure you subscribe so t…

This week, we are reflecting on our experiences with de-streaming in our classrooms so far in this school year. We will share our progress, our wins and challenges, and, most importantly, resources to help guide you along with this journey! If you like what you hear, we would love it if you could share this episode with a colleague or friend. And m…

This week, we are chatting about learner variability in the context of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Learner variability is not just simply learning styles; we'll define what learner variability is as well as the various strategies that we can use in the classroom to support all of our learners. If you like what you hear, we would love it if…