Class Dismissed SchoolStatus - The Podcast for Teachers

Summer break is a chance to keep your school community connected and thriving. By continuing communication, you'll:



* Empower students and families for a smooth transition back to school.

* Fuel excitement for the upcoming year with engaging updates.

* Solidify your school's role as a vital center for the community.



In Episode 266 of the Class Dismissed Podcast, we speak with Dr. Kara Stern. Stern currently serves as the Director of Education and Engagement at SchoolStatus.



In the episode, Stern shared SchoolStatus' To-Do List for summer communications.

Engage Families

Frequent communication aimed at families is essential for reducing absenteeism, minimizing dropouts, and creating an environment conducive to learning. Transparency and consistent outreach help build trust, manage expectations, and reinforce your school's dedication to every student's growth.



*  Share end-of-year accomplishments, highlights, and important dates (e.g., graduation, testing schedules)

* Provide updates on facility changes, new programs, or initiatives planned for the upcoming school year 

*  Offer contact information for administrators, counselors, and teachers for families who need support during the summer

* Promote the benefits of regular school attendance and the importance of showing up on Day 1

* Share summer reading lists, educational resources, or local community event recommendations



Empower Faculty & Staff

Maintaining open lines of communication with teachers and personnel is key to talent retention, professional development, and cultivating a supportive workplace culture. Leverage summer downtime to provide growth opportunities, share inspirational content, and equip your team with the tools for a successful year ahead.



To-Do List:



* Celebrate staff achievements, milestones, and recognition from the previous school year

* Communicate staffing changes, new hires, or role transitions for the upcoming year

* Provide professional development opportunities, resources, or training during the summer break

* Share inspiration, quotes, or messages to keep staff engaged and motivated

*  Offer updates on facility changes, new technology implementations, or operational procedures



Follow Communication Best Practices

Implementing an all-encompassing summer engagement strategy requires strategic planning, engaging content, and leveraging the right tech tools. Follow these guidelines to ensure your school or district remains top-of-mind, forges meaningful connections, and lays the groundwork for an impactful academic year.



To-Do List:



* Maintain a consistent communication cadence (e.g., weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly)

* Use photos, memes, or GIFs to make communications more engaging and fun

* Ensure communications are translatable and accessible in multiple languages

*  Include polls and surveys to invite your readers' feedback and participation

*  Leverage analytics to identify disengaged audiences and follow up with personalized outreach

* Promote a sense of community, trust, and connection throughout the summer months

* Set the tone and establish branding guidelines for district/school-wide communications

* Introduce key personnel (e.g., principals, counselors, teachers) before the school year begins

* Provide a "welcome back" message as the start of the school year approaches to build excitement



Listen to Episode 266 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your fav...

Integrating reading instruction throughout the school day presents several challenges for teachers:



Time Constraints: With tight schedules and a packed curriculum, finding extra time for reading instruction in non-language arts subjects can be difficult.



Curriculum Demands: Subjects like math, science, and social studies already have extensive curricula. Incorporating reading without sacrificing essential content can be a struggle.



Lack of Training: Not all teachers are trained in effective reading strategies, especially those specializing in other subjects. This can make it challenging to integrate reading into their teaching.



However, embedding reading instruction throughout the day can significantly enhance students' reading proficiency, engagement, and overall academic success. It creates a rich literacy environment where reading becomes an essential and enjoyable part of everyday learning.



Our guest on Episode 265 of Class Dismissed, Jen Serravallo, is an expert on this topic. Her new book, "Teaching Reading Across the Day," focuses on integrating reading instruction into various parts of the school day. Known for her practical and effective strategies, Serravallo provides educators with tools and techniques to embed reading skills and practices during designated reading times and across different subjects and activities.



Serravallo's latest book is designed to help teachers foster a love for reading in their students.



Listen to Episode 265 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to hear our entire conversation and some tips from Serravallo.



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Many middle and high school teachers avoid discussing controversial topics in class due to their fear of controversy. They may worry about offending students or parents with different viewpoints. However, productive discussions on complex issues are essential to learning. It requires skill, and teachers may need more confidence in navigating disagreements. However, these discussions can be valuable learning experiences with careful planning and clear guidelines.



In episode 264 of Class Dismissed, we interviewed two experts: Dr. Paula McAvoy, an Associate Professor of Social Studies Education at NC State College of Education, and Dr. Greg McAvoy, a professor and department head of political science. The pair offered three structured approaches to help middle and high school students debate current controversies.



Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) is a method that sets up opposing views within a framework that encourages collaboration. By assigning students to research and advocate for different sides of an issue, SAC fosters an environment where students must actively engage with opposing perspectives, aiming to reach a consensus through mutual understanding.



Close-up deliberations, in contrast, focus on exploring a range of policy options related to a given issue. Students are presented with various viewpoints and policy proposals, and through group discussions, they strive to develop a policy recommendation that accommodates diverse opinions within the group. This approach, with its real-world applicability, encourages students to consider the complexity of issues and grapple with the trade-offs involved in decision-making.



Team Debate is a powerful platform for students to articulate and defend their positions on a contentious issue. By organizing students into opposing teams and requiring each participant to contribute to the debate, this format promotes active participation and fosters critical thinking. The competitive element adds a layer of motivation for students to prepare compelling arguments while also fostering resilience in the face of opposing viewpoints.



Through surveys and interviews, the researchers found that these structured formats effectively addressed common concerns about classroom discussions on controversial topics. The structured nature of the activities, coupled with explicit norms promoting respect and civility, helped mitigate the risk of discussions devolving into heated arguments. Moreover, these formats democratized the discourse by ensuring that all students were actively involved, regardless of their prior interest or political expertise. 



These findings suggest that structured approaches to debating public policy issues can be valuable tools for educators seeking to promote critical thinking, civic engagement, and respectful dialogue among secondary students. Despite the challenges posed by today's polarized political climate, these methods offer a hopeful path forward for fostering informed and constructive civic discourse in classrooms.



Listen to Episode 264 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to hear our entire conversation with Paula and Greg McAvoy.



All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017 – 2024.

Embarking on the teaching journey is an exhilarating and rewarding experience, but it can also be daunting, especially during that crucial first year in the classroom. New teachers face many challenges, from lesson planning to classroom management, engaging students, and balancing work-life demands. However, with the right mindset and strategies, surviving and thriving through that inaugural year is entirely within reach.



In Episode 263 of the Class Dismissed Podcast, we talk with Helena Hains—the creator of The Present Teacher website and resources. Hains offers teachers strategies to leave work on time and avoid working extra on the weekends. 



One of the time management hacks she shares with us is "batching." Batching is a time management technique where you group similar tasks and tackle them all at once rather than addressing them individually throughout the day. It's like consolidating your efforts into focused blocks of time.



Listen to Episode 263 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to hear our entire conversation with Hains.



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As the upcoming Presidential Election draws near, the importance of media literacy in education has never been more evident. In today's digital age, where information is readily accessible and often overwhelming, teaching students how to critically analyze and navigate media sources is essential for fostering informed citizenship and safeguarding democratic processes.



Media literacy encompasses a range of skills, including the ability to evaluate the credibility of sources, recognize bias, understand different forms of media, and interpret messages accurately. In the election context, these skills are invaluable for helping students sift through the barrage of news, social media posts, and campaign advertisements to distinguish fact from fiction and make informed decisions.

So, how can teachers effectively navigate the upcoming Presidential Election with their students?

First and foremost, it's essential to create a safe and open environment where students feel comfortable discussing political issues. Encourage respectful dialogue and emphasize the importance of listening to diverse perspectives. By fostering critical thinking and respectful debate, teachers can empower students to engage thoughtfully with political content and form their opinions based on evidence and reasoned analysis.



Additionally, integrating media literacy into the curriculum is crucial. Teach students to critically evaluate sources by examining authorship, bias, accuracy, and relevance. Provide them with tools and strategies for fact-checking information and verifying sources. Encourage students to question the motives behind media messages and consider the potential impact of misinformation on public opinion.



Furthermore, leverage current events, such as the presidential election, as teachable moments. Analyze campaign advertisements, speeches, and debates together as a class. Encourage students to deconstruct the language, imagery, and persuasive techniques used by candidates to sway voters. Explore how different media outlets frame and interpret political events, highlighting the importance of seeking out multiple perspectives.



In Episode 262 of Class Dismissed, we speak with Andrea De La Cerda, the Founder and CEO of Kandula. Kandula is a strategic communications company that helps nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and educational institutions. To hear our entire conversation with De La Cerda, listen to Episode 262 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast.



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​Why School Absences Have ‘Exploded’ Almost Everywhere

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In the fast-paced world we inhabit today, intelligence is no longer confined to the realm of IQ scores and academic prowess. An equally important aspect of personal development is emotional intelligence (EI). This term, now ubiquitous in discussions about personal growth and success, was traced back to a seminal 1990 article by Salovey and Mayer, which argued that emotions could be harnessed to enrich one's life. However, Daniel Goleman truly popularized the concept in his groundbreaking book, "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ," published in 1995.



Contrary to traditional beliefs that emotions reside solely in the unconscious mind, Goleman emphasized that emotions are manageable and play a pivotal role in human behavior and decision-making. This paradigm shift led to a widespread recognition of the significance of emotional intelligence, prompting parents to prioritize fostering it in their children. Consequently, the realm of education witnessed the emergence of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs, underscoring the importance of teaching emotional intelligence in classrooms.



Emotional intelligence encompasses a range of skills, including recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions. 



In Episode 261 of Class Dismissed, we discuss the origins of Emotional Intelligence and highlight an article by Marc Brackett, from Yale University's Center for Emotional Intelligence. Brackett advocates for educators to become adept at these skills themselves, serving as role models for young learners. 



Brackett and his colleagues developed the RULER acronym to unpack emotional intelligence: Recognizing emotions, Understanding their causes and consequences, Labeling emotions, Expressing emotions appropriately, and Regulating emotions effectively.



Listen to episode 261 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to learn more about EI and Brackett's RULER acronym.

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Giving Educators Permission to Feel



How We Feel



 



All Rights Reserved. Class Dismissed Podcast 2017 – 2024.