Greg J Wolcott

Join Me Dec. 16th At A Free Webinar On How To Support ELLs In Content Classes I’ll be co-hosting a short free webinar on how to support ELLs in content classes. It will take place on Dec. 16th at 3:30 PM Pacific Time, and you can register for it here. Carol Salv…

Join Me Dec. 16th At A Free Webinar On How To Support ELLs In Content Classes larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2025/11/28/j...

What is the stain on his shirt?

The Importance of Recess Recess is often sacrificed to make room for more academics. The research says that’s a big mistake.

If you want smart, healthy, well-rounded students, it pays to invest in recess! 🏃 🎉

#EduSky

“If students don’t collaborate well, that’s your clue to do it more often, not less. But structure it. Teach them how to create norms, find consensus, and move on after a disagreement.” —Heather Wolpert-Gawron, Teacher

#EduSky #teachers

Teach for Twenty

Research shows that focused, 20-minute learning episodes match the brain’s natural attention rhythms and maximize retention.

Short bursts of instruction, followed by processing or movement, help reset attention and strengthen memory. It’s not less learning—it’s smarter learning.

You’ve done hard things before. You can do it again. ✌🏻

In learning, photos and visuals work the same way. They turn abstract ideas into concrete memories. A single image can trigger a story, recall a lesson, or reignite an emotion long after words fade.

Want learning to last? Let Ss see it- through photos, sketches, diagrams, and visual journaling.

Put the AWE in AWESOME!

Awe isn’t just a feeling—it’s a cognitive reset.

When students experience awe—a stunning science demo, a powerful story, a breathtaking idea—their sense of self shrinks just enough for curiosity to grow.

#Awe #ScienceOfLearning #Curiosity #PositivePsychology #Education

Go get it!!

When Students Become the Teachers…

One of the most powerful ways to deepen understanding is to flip the roles. In reciprocal teaching, students take turns leading discussions using four strategies:
-Predict
-Question
-Clarify
-Summarize

Learning doubles when teaching begins!

Illustration of diverse group of students and educators. Text above: 'Variation is Universal' and below: '& Wonderful!'

Variation is universal—and wonderful. #UDL helps us design for that. #LeadInclusion #Equity #EduSky #TeacherTwitter #EdChat

Last week, I spoke with a principal who gave me some wonderful feedback. Several of his teachers have adopted the daily practice I suggested, and the results have been remarkable—he described seeing an ‘almost instant sense of belonging’ develop among students.

Quickly revisiting and reflecting on successful moments of the week has a greater impact than most people think. Slow down and take a couple of minutes to savor those success.

Understanding how your mind works and how to respond to different social emotional states has strong research backing. Some of the ways it is taught not so much.

Social emotional learning is so important but often overlooked and not included are gratitude practices.

The Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley has amazing gratitude resources- check them out: ggsc.berkeley.edu/search?q=Gra...

We've been taught to label the functions of behavior in ways that fee...manipulative. What if we thought of this differently?
When we shift from judgment to empathy, everything changes.
#EduSky #LeadInclusion #EducationTikTok
#InclusiveEducation #UDL
#SpecialEducation

Retrieval, the key to long term memory, is missing in most classrooms.

In addition to helping build relationships, connection and a sense of belonging- greetings at the door increase engagement by 27%. By far one of the easiest ways to do this!

Academic papers ask "Does X improve learning?" but schools need to know "Does X improve learning enough to justify its implementation costs compared to alternative Y?"

Why Students Should Write in All Subjects Writing improves learning by consolidating information in long-term memory, researchers explain. Plus, five engaging writing activities to use in all subjects.

Why get students writing in math, science, social studies, and more? It’ll help them process information and remember what they’ve learned. ✍️

Edutopia’s @youkiterada.bsky.social shares the research.

#EduSky #literacy

A Video Project That Asks Students to Celebrate Their Classmates Teachers who worry that parent conferences may not convey the ‘everyday magic’ of the classroom can include these video clips in their talks.

Students learn to look past frustrations and see strengths in their peers, which strengthens the classroom community. @edutopia.org

www.edutopia.org/article/pers...

Turning chores into choices is one of the best ways to build autonomy. So many ways we can do this in schools for both students and staff.

I’ve witnessed the incredible power that emerges when both staff and students focus on their strengths. In nearly every session I lead on building relationships in schools, I highlight the value of the VIA Character Strengths Assessment.

Explore it here: www.viacharacter.org.

Not formative assessment…FOR ME-tive Assessment!

It’s for you- to change instruction!

Too often as a teacher I turned to the same couple of students to run things to the office or serve as my lead helpers. I didn’t think about the invisible message I was sending, “these are the only students I trust.”

Every student deserves to feel like the teacher’s favorite.

"When I Grow Up" - Gemini Image Prompt - www.controlaltachieve.com/2025/09/when...

🧒 Take student photos
🧑‍🚀 And show them in their dream careers
🍌 Use Google's free Nano-Banana image tool
🛡️ School-safe with Gemini
📄 Free prompt to copy & use
▶️ 10-min demo video

#EduSky #EduSkyAI #EdTech #GoogleEDU