What an Olympic gold medalist can teach you about math

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What an Olympic gold medalist can teach you about math

September 22, 2016

Categories: Math

Like millions around the world, I could not wait to watch the summer Olympics. During the Women’s 200m backstroke, U.S. swimmer Maya DiRado went after her biggest competitor with all her might. She was charging her way to another gold! [...]

I think I can, I think I can

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I think I can, I think I can

September 15, 2016

Categories: Math, Reading

“She was a happy little train” Perhaps you are already chanting, “I think I can, I think I can.” Keep chanting, but be forewarned. This blog is a love letter to a beloved children’s book, and you won’t find a [...]

ESSA in 5 minutes: Part I—Assessment

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ESSA in 5 minutes: Part I—Assessment

September 8, 2016

Categories: Assessment

As a civil rights law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 includes requirements for state assessment and accountability to ensure every student has access to a good education and is held to high standards. Key to understanding ESSA [...]

2 x 3^2 redefines soccer’s impact

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2 x 3^2 redefines soccer’s impact

September 1, 2016

Categories: Math

The Romanian men’s soccer team gets it. Mathematics is both a systematic and social enterprise. In order to get Romanian children excited about math, and to address the 20% dropout rate among high school students, the Romanian [...]

10 nonfiction articles you didn’t know kids were reading

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10 nonfiction articles you didn’t know kids were reading

August 25, 2016

Categories: Reading

Nonfiction often gets a bad rap as stuffy, boring, and yawn-inducing. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Great nonfiction content can take the form of a thrilling adventure story, a scary tale around a campfire, or an intriguing true [...]

What is evidence-based instruction?

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What is evidence-based instruction?

August 22, 2016

It goes without saying that educators care about their students’ results. They spend hours planning engaging lessons in an effort to captivate their students’ interest, give them the tools they need for success, and inspire them to become lifelong learners.

4 things I wish I had known about reading practice

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4 things I wish I had known about reading practice

August 11, 2016

Categories: Reading

I loved being a classroom teacher. As an avid reader myself, I loved opening my students’ eyes to the possibilities books offered. However, reflecting on my years in the classroom, I can’t help but think of the times that I [...]

Fastbacks, flashbacks, and Response to Intervention

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Fastbacks, flashbacks, and Response to Intervention

August 4, 2016

Categories: Assessment, Math, Reading

More than fifty years down the road, you still see a few baby-blue 1967 VW Fastbacks. What is it about the ’67 V-Dub that keeps it functional, relevant, and efficient year-over-year? Is it the skilled drivers who remain dedicated to [...]

Pokémon Go is more about learning than we think

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Pokémon Go is more about learning than we think

July 21, 2016

Categories: Assessment, Math, Reading

Last night, I was walking along a lake near my house, my eyes intently shifting between the path I was on and my iPhone. Normally, I’d be getting ready for bed, but I was looking for Pokémon and there was [...]

6 summer reads for educators

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6 summer reads for educators

July 21, 2016

Categories: Professional Development, Reading

There’s nothing quite like reading a great book on a warm summer day—whether it’s in the comfort of an air-conditioned home or outside under the shade of a backyard tree. Summer is a good time to play a bit [...]

Renaissance Blog

Latest Post

What an Olympic gold medalist can teach you about math

What an Olympic gold medalist can teach you about math

Recent Posts

I think I can, I think I can

I think I can, I think I can

ESSA in 5 minutes: Part I—Assessment

ESSA in 5 minutes: Part I—Assessment

2 x 3^2 redefines soccer’s impact

2 x 3^2 redefines soccer’s impact

10 nonfiction articles you didn’t know kids were reading

10 nonfiction articles you didn’t know kids were reading

What is evidence-based instruction?

What is evidence-based instruction?

4 things I wish I had known about reading practice

4 things I wish I had known about reading practice

Fastbacks, flashbacks, and Response to Intervention

Fastbacks, flashbacks, and Response to Intervention

Pokémon Go is more about learning than we think

Pokémon Go is more about learning than we think

6 summer reads for educators

6 summer reads for educators