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Edutopia
@edutopia.org
11K followers 2.3K following 4.3K posts
Sharing what works in education. ✨

Edutopia is an initiative of the George Lucas Educational Foundation.

Edutopia.org | Check out our new community forum: https://www.edutopia.org/ask-and-answer
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edutopia.org
What’s your advice for preservice teachers? This is Jill’s! 👇

#EduSky #teachers
“Textbooks are theory. The classroom is reality. It’s gonna be messy. But it’s a beautiful mess.” —Jill M, Teacher
November 14, 2025 at 10:23 AM
edutopia.org
Grafwallner’s pro-tip: Start class with a 5-minute personal checklist 💪

This strategy gives students a visual representation of what they need to complete.

👉🏾Important bonus: this checklist also builds student agency.

4/6 #StudentLed
“My Personal Checklist” with a four-column table. The columns are labeled “My next assignment is…,” “Due date,” “What could be an obstacle in my way?,” and “What can I do to eliminate this obstacle?” The first row lists “Complete five math problems,” due “Tomorrow,” with the obstacle “I have play rehearsal after school,” and the solution “Do the math problems in study hall.” The second row lists “My English essay,” due “November 1,” with the obstacle “The school play,” and the solution “Use class time to write and if I get stuck, ask for help.”
November 14, 2025 at 1:19 AM
edutopia.org
Are your students struggling with planning ahead, managing emotions, or working independently?

Instructional coach Peg Grafwallner says building #ExecutiveFunctioning skills and agency are the keys to unlocking self-reliant learners.

Let’s explore.

🧵1/6 #EduSky
1-Minute Read. Social & Emotional Learning. How to Develop Self-Reliant Learners.
November 14, 2025 at 1:19 AM
edutopia.org
Our guest on the latest episode of School of Practice, teacher @jen.litandtech.com, wants to know: How are you and your students using AI to improve writing skills?

Share what's been working in your classroom, respond to our latest podcast episode, or ask Jen your own question here: edut.to/3JKdzUj
Ask & Answer from Edutopia. How are you and your students using AI to improve student writing skills? Asked by Jen R, Podcast Guest
November 13, 2025 at 9:34 PM
edutopia.org
Kathy shares tangible ways to build this culture using error analysis: https://edut.to/47k34zW

#MathSky #ElementaryTeacher #EduSky
“In math classrooms, mistakes provide a valuable learning opportunity for students, but only if teachers create a positive culture around mistakes.” —Kathy Collier, Instructional Coach
November 13, 2025 at 12:12 PM
edutopia.org
When used beyond breaks and rewards for older students, playfulness in the classroom can improve engagement and deepen learning. 🙌

#EduSky #HighSchoolTeacher #MiddleSchool #EdutopiaVideos
November 13, 2025 at 11:19 AM
edutopia.org
Hand-lettered poster with quote: “It’s alright to need help. All of us have things we can’t do alone.” —N.K. Jemisin, Author. There are orange and yellow stars and starbursts surrounding it.
November 13, 2025 at 10:32 AM
edutopia.org
Are you struggling with AI in your classroom?

In this week’s School of Practice episode, we chat with veteran high school teacher @jen.litandtech.com about the possibilities—and limitations—of using AI to help students become better, more discerning writers. 🤖🎧

#EduSky #EduSkyAI #EduAI
School of Practice Episode 5: How to Teach Authentic Writing in the Age of AI
November 12, 2025 at 11:25 PM
edutopia.org
An educator affirmation from Rebecka Peterson, 2023 National Teacher of the Year 🧡

#EduSky #teachers #education
“As Teacher Tired is likely setting in, may we find sustainability in our colleagues. May we lean on them and allow them to lean on us. May we empower each other and choose connection over comparison. May we model for our students authentic collaboration.” —Rebecka Peterson, 2023 National Teacher of the Year
November 12, 2025 at 10:21 AM
edutopia.org
Want students to actually USE your feedback instead of crumpling up returned papers? 🧠📝

Every few weeks, HS ELA teacher @cathleenbeachbd.bsky.social schedules “Do Over Days”: 20-30 mins (sometimes a full class period) for revisions, retakes, and unfinished work.

Here's why, and how it works:

🧵1/5
November 12, 2025 at 1:43 AM
edutopia.org
In @jen.litandtech.com’s high school ELA classes, generative AI is a tool to help students strengthen their writing—not a replacement for thinking. 💭

In our latest podcast episode, she shares her approach to teaching writing in the age of AI.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/4oXsXeO
School of Practice new episode: How to Teach Authentic Writing in the Age of AI. Listen on Apple Podcasts
November 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
edutopia.org
💚
“Share the good stuff. Reach out to parents to tell them their kid was kind. Or nailed a new skill. Or is generally just awesome. One day you might have to reach out about something not as sunny, and having that relationship built goes a long way.” —Leticia Y, Educator
November 11, 2025 at 10:32 AM
edutopia.org
This routine is simple, but it’s game-changing for school culture! 📝

Thanks to educator Kathryn Ashmore for sharing.

#SchoolLeaders #EduSky #WhatWorksForMe
“Our leadership team does this every week—we each pick a staff member and write them a positive note. We’ve done the entire staff twice, and we are on round 3 now. It has been a powerful game changer for the staff and team!” —Kathryn Ashmore, Educator
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
edutopia.org
“My 5-year-old explained to me that it's okay when she makes a mistake because she’s growing the neurons in her brain. I just want to hug her teacher.” —Erin Brisbin, Teacher
November 10, 2025 at 10:17 AM
edutopia.org
Thomas shares his time-saving strategy for creating great sub plans: https://edut.to/47fxtzs

#EduSky #teachers
"When I come back, I’ve noticed that kids’ work is stronger. Substitute notes are shorter. Kids’ faces are happier, and I feel a whole lot better about being sick or—God forbid—sunburned from a well-deserved vacation." —Thomas Courtney, Teacher
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
edutopia.org
”Sometimes the best learning happens in the midst of what looks like chaos. Don't be afraid to get messy.” —Leah Ross Henry, Educator
November 9, 2025 at 12:25 PM
edutopia.org
We tend to measure academic success by the big wins: Passing a test with flying colors, for example, or earning top grades in a demanding course.

But it’s the small wins that motivate students to keep going amid the inevitable academic struggles, new research shows.

🧵1/6
1-Minute Read. The Research Is In. Research Reveals the Power of Small Wins. By Youki Terada & Stephen Merrill. Illustration of a student with a backpack climbing up a ladder into a bright yellow sun, with rays radiating from it and clouds behind them.
November 8, 2025 at 6:22 PM
edutopia.org
Strategies that develop self-regulation, executive function skills, and self-agency: https://edut.to/4ofs69i

#ExecutiveFunction #SEL #EduSky
“Giving students strategies to become self-reliant learners encourages them to determine their own choices and control their own lives, even in a disruptive and chaotic world.” —Peg Grafwallner, Instructional Coach
November 8, 2025 at 2:43 PM
edutopia.org
#EduSky #teachers
“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
November 8, 2025 at 12:25 PM
edutopia.org
Looking to foster accountability in your classroom? ⁠
⁠
Our *free* infographic places the responsibility of caring for student-assigned devices right where it belongs—with your students! 🧑‍💻⁠

Download it here: https://edut.to/48VLPpY

#EduSky #EdTech
An illustrated Edutopia graphic titled “Wait a Minute! Have you checked your device yet?” outlines steps for students to care for classroom devices. It includes four main sections: Before using your device—check the keys, look for damage, ensure it’s charged, and test basic functions; After using your device—power down; If it goes in your backpack—securely store it and avoid pressure; If it stays in the classroom—check for damage, report any issues, and return it to its home. A reminder box at the bottom left says, “Handle with care: Always be gentle with devices to avoid damage. Follow procedures: Stick to these steps to keep our tech in great condition!”
November 7, 2025 at 11:28 PM
edutopia.org
Simple shifts in language can make a big difference in the classroom. 🧡

#EdutopiaVideos #EduSky
November 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
edutopia.org
🐂 🐿️ 🐝
“There is something so heartwarming about students trying to apply new skills but just not being quite there ✨yet✨. One kid said bulls are ‘very tangible’ and another described squirrels as ‘humble’ with a third claiming ‘even though bees are annoying, they’re great at teamwork.’ 🤭” – Madeline K, ELA Teacher
November 7, 2025 at 10:28 AM
edutopia.org
#EduSky #education
“Today at recess, a first grader came to tell me she had a plan to change the world. I asked her if we could have a meeting later to discuss her idea and she said, ‘Absolutely, I’m free all day.’” – Erika Garcia, Educator
November 6, 2025 at 10:28 AM
edutopia.org
Math literacy requires more than just calculations.

Whether they’re answering complex problems on an exam or trying to understand the terms of a home loan, students often need to use “reading comprehension, along with math skills” to succeed, @drcelita.bsky.social writes.

🧵1/8 #ITeachMath #MathSky
1-Minute Read. Critical Thinking. 6 Ways to Improve Students' Math Literacy. By Celita Lewis-Davis. Photo of a student solving an equation on a whiteboard.
November 6, 2025 at 1:27 AM
edutopia.org
Our guest in this month’s jam session: Ms. Saint!

She’s a 2nd-grade teacher who regularly uses games to teach students SEL skills, provide movement breaks, *and* boost engagement.

Ask her your questions and get talking with fellow educators! The chat is happening all week long: edut.to/3X434xV
“It’s a tangible, kinesthetic activity, connecting reading to your muscles, pushing that word out and maybe seeing it slowly reveal. Something is going to lock into their brain.” Boosting Student Engagement with Games with Ms. Saint
November 6, 2025 at 12:48 AM