Blog
The Science of Grit
Coined by Angela Duckworth in her excellent book Grit, the term has become synonymous with a growth mindset, persistence, and a strong work ethic. In
Making Organization Appealing
If you have heard me speak at a school event or have been following our blog for a while, you know we’re big on organization.
Developing a Learning Mindset
A learning mindset is a powerful weapon in a student’s arsenal. When the inevitable failures and setbacks arise, students can reframe them as positive learning
A Student’s Guide to Editing
Learning how to write well is learning how to think well. The act of organizing aimless thoughts into coherent, compelling arguments is perhaps the most
Just Focus
Students, especially those struggling with learning differences, hear the phrase “just focus” far too often. This is the academic equivalent to telling a suddenly broken-down
Self-efficacy and The Environment
Sooner or later, every student feels out of place. Whether it’s the unique challenge Geometry presents to a perennially solid math student or the uncomfortable
Self- Advocacy Spotlight: learning how to disagree
Students absolutely must learn how to disagree with teachers, parents, and peers in a respectful manner. This one skill is the foundation for self-advocacy. Failing
Help Your Child Set Meaningful Goals
Students who set meaningful goals are more likely to stay motivated and accomplish their objectives. But what exactly is a meaningful goal? In short, meaningful
Attention
Attention is a precious resource. That’s a belabored point and not the thesis of this blog post. Instead, let’s look at what attention is, how
On Giving Up & Grit
Inevitably, every student hits a wall. Motivation dissipates as the number of assignments continues to increase, outpacing meaningful progress and overcoming student satisfaction. Burnout is
Videogames & ADHD
Why does my child struggle to focus on assignments at home and lessons in the classroom but has no problem focusing on video games for
The Art of Clear Instructions
We work with students at a wide array of schools with a wide variety of learning differences. I frequently explain the importance of a personalized
Let’s Talk about Stress Baby
The word “stress” gets a bad rap, conjuring images of hyperventilation and hysteria. With the increased focus on mental health and stress-free school days, which
The Danger of Always On
Great pairs complement each other to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts, and great pairs show up in each of our
Relational Complexity
Students make hundreds of decisions each day, from what kind of cereal to have in the morning to the dichotomy of true and false during
Examining Student Engagement
Student’s critique teachers like customers critique restaurants — it’s always polar. There’s no in-between. Explore your favorite restaurant’s Yelp page and you’ll see what I
Should cell phones be allowed in the classroom
Imagine a sea of teenagers at a local park, a group of at least fifty. You can hear steady murmuring and brief crescendos of laughter.
Bouncing Back After a Bad Grade
Whether he or she expected it or was blindsided, a low grade can shake even the most confident students. The teacher plops the graded essay
3 Tips to Help Students Beat Procrastination
Procrastination is delaying a set of tasks against our better judgement. A habit of procrastinating can be detrimental to studies. Parents watch in concern as
How to Frame Your Student’s Experience for Optimal Learning
In the last decade, academic institutions and youth programs have leaned heavily into the practice of experiential learning. Experiential learning is not a new phenomenon,
Focused vs Diffuse Mode: Why Students Need Both
We have all experienced the “flow” state where productivity levels are high, and you feel inspired to conquer things on your to-do list. When you
Help your Student Ace Any Test with Active Recall
At the core of our work with students, we promote efficiency through simple, but effective tips to develop habits that lead to success. By evaluating
Metacognition-Thinking about One’s Thinking
Managing studying, assignments, tests and expectations for a student can feel random and ongoing. Students can get caught up in the busyness of schoolwork and
A Guide to Note-taking
A large portion of classroom time is spent in lecture making note-taking a fundamental part of learning. So, how should notes be used? Successful notes