After spending time in classrooms across grade levels and content areas, I noticed something consistent—and concerning. During “turn and talks,” some students jumped right in with their partner. But others, especially our emergent bilingual students, sat quietly, unsure of what to say or how to begin. Too often, those students were invisible in the conversation, and teachers seemed at a loss as to how to get students involved in conversations. 

What I have learned this year is this isn’t a case of disengagement—it’s a case of missed structure. Without the right support, the right lead-up, and the right expectations, students can be left out or behind.

I started searching for a better way to structure student conversations—something that would increase engagement, especially for students learning English, and help teachers feel confident that every student was participating in meaningful talk.
That’s when I found QSSSA, ( QSSSA: The Essential Method for Structuring Conversations in All Classroom ) a structured routine that completely reframes how we think about student discourse. 

QSSSA is a five-step strategy that gives students the support they need to think, speak, and engage in academic conversations. It works in any classroom—whether you're teaching Algebra 1, World History, Biology, or 2nd grade reading.

Here’s how the structure works—and more importantly, what teacher moves I think make it work along with a few tips I have seen teacher use.  
                                                           Q – Question
Teacher Move: Be intentional.
Craft an open-ended question before the lesson. This isn’t a spur-of-the-moment check for understanding. It’s a thoughtfully designed question that pushes students to think critically and use content-specific language.

Tip: Post the question where students can see it. Reference it throughout the discussion to keep focus and clarity. If there are vocabulary terms you want students to use, embed them in the question.
Examples:

• What evidence from the text supports your idea?
  
  
• Based on the data, what patterns do you notice?
  
  
• Why was that character’s decision important to the outcome?

                                                            S – Signal
Teacher Move: Expect full participation—and wait for it.
This step is easy to skip when you're pressed for time, but it's where equity begins. Ask students to show a nonverbal signal (thumbs up, “thinker’s pose,” hands on hips) when they're ready to respond. Then wait. Don’t call on anyone until everyone signals. This wait time is critical, especially for students who need time to process, translate, or build their confidence before speaking.

Tip: Narrate your observations positively: “I see lots of thoughtful faces... just a few more thinkers left.” Students learn you value thinking time, not just quick answers.
                                                         S – Stem
Teacher Move: Model and rehearse the language.
Give students a sentence stem to start their response—and then model how to say it. Repeat it together. Build in a choral response. This is especially helpful for students building fluency, but honestly—it helps everyone organize their thinking.
Examples:

• I noticed ___, and I think that’s important because…
  
  
• One connection I made was…
  
  
• I solved this problem by first ___, then ___.

Scaffold further: Provide a word bank or visual if needed. This move ensures students have the tools they need to participate successfully.
                                                        S – Share
Teacher Move: Set clear expectations—and teach the structure.
Now it’s time for students to talk. But don’t just say “turn and talk.” Tell them how to share.
Who goes first? How long will each person speak? What should they do if their partner finishes early?
Tip: Demonstrate a quick “partner talk” with a co-teacher or student. Show how to face each other, take turns, and build off one another’s ideas. Normalize what academic talk looks and sounds like.
This structure helps quieter students feel safe and helps talkative students know when to pause. While they share, walk the room. Listen. Take notes. Capture strengths, misconceptions, and language use to inform your next move.
                                                      A – Assess
Teacher Move: Hold everyone accountable—with grace.
After students have shared, assess their thinking. You might randomly call on a few students, ask for volunteers, or have everyone jot down a written response.
What matters most is that students know they’ll be expected to show what they thought about—not just the one student who always raises their hand.
Tip: Use phrases like:

• “Let’s hear a few different perspectives.”
• “Take 30 seconds to jot down what you said, or what your partner said that you want to remember.”

This step reinforces that student thinking is visible, valuable, and part of the learning process.

Why I believe QSSSA Works—When We Make the Right Moves, QSSSA isn’t just a routine—it’s a way to shift the culture of your classroom. It helps us move from one-student-at-a-time questioning to all-students-engaged learning. But what makes it truly powerful are the teacher moves behind the scenes:

So, how can we leverage this neuroscience in our day-to-day teaching? Here are a few practical examples:

1. Use Rhythm and Repetition
Research shows that rhythm and repetition can trigger brain synchrony. This might look like incorporating chants or rhythmic cues during instruction in a classroom. For example, when introducing a new formula in Algebra, turn the steps into a short rhythmic phrase that the class repeats together. Repetition is already key to learning—but layering in rhythm can prime the brain to engage more fully. I haven’t really seen this a lot in classrooms, but I have seen how strong voices and intuition draw students into the learning. 

2. Incorporate Collaborative Learning
One of the most interesting points from the podcast was how synchrony happens not just between teacher and students, but between students themselves. Group work and peer discussions create opportunities for this. In a history class, instead of individual research on a historical figure, pair students up to debate that figure’s impact on society. The act of listening and responding in real-time encourages synchrony, driving deeper engagement and better retention of the material. I have seen this happen and I have seen this fail miserably when authentic conditions to collaborate are not established.  

3. Mindful Pauses for Reflection
Another method discussed in the podcast was the importance of pauses and reflection. We often rush through lessons, eager to cover every point. However, intentional pauses allow students’ brains to process information and fall into sync. After discussing key concepts, you could build in a few moments of silent reflection. For instance, ask students to pause, reflect silently for a minute after a literature analysis, and then share one new insight. These pauses help recalibrate focus and promote more meaningful conversations.

4. Storytelling to Create Emotional Connections
The power of stories to create connection—and thereby synchrony—cannot be understated. Whether a personal anecdote or a story that brings a lesson to life, storytelling can engage students on a neural level. As the teacher, you are the conductor of this engagement, and by narrating a powerful story that relates to the lesson, you can “sync” the class into the emotional core of the topic. 

5. Use Movement
Physical movement can also help align brainwaves. Something as simple as standing up, stretching, or moving to different parts of the room during a lesson can refresh focus and encourage brain synchrony. In a high school English class, you might incorporate this during a reading discussion. As students share their thoughts, have them move to different parts of the room depending on their interpretation of the text—this not only energizes them but fosters engagement and cognitive alignment. Several resources come to mind around movement:  

• Total Physical Response (TPR)  
• How Movement and Gestures can Improve Student Learning 
• Teachers Can Harness the Power of Movement to Boost Student Learning

The beauty of neuroscience is that it gives us deeper insight into how students’ brains work—and, ultimately, how we can help them learn better. Brain synchrony offers us a tangible way to increase engagement by creating connections between teacher and student, as well as between students. As teachers, we can use these strategies to foster a classroom environment where students are more focused, connected, and ready to learn.

The next time you plan instruction, think about incorporating rhythm, reflection, collaboration, or movement to tap into the natural synchrony our brains crave. Your students might just surprise you with how much more engaged they become.  
I encourage you to listen to the podcast, too. Brain Synchrony: How to Leverage Neuroscience to Engage Students More Effectively
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While visiting PLC's at my school this week a question came up about having a review day before a summative assessment in math classes. The PLC had a scheduled review planned and the worth of spending a day only in review was questioned.  Listening to the concern got me thinking.  If we take a day to review learning previously taught and then we take a day to access that learning is that the best use of instructional time? While this came up in a math PLC the question I have goes beyond the practice just in math.

What does research say about taking a full class period to review vs revisiting concepts each day during warm ups leading up to the test and teaching new concepts up until the day of the test?

Using help from Chatgpt, I found that research suggests that both approaches—dedicating a full class period to review and incorporating daily warm-up reviews—have their own merits in preparing students for summative assessments. Here’s a breakdown of what the research says about each:

1. Full Class Period for Review
This approach, where an entire period is devoted to reviewing content, has distinct advantages:

• Cognitive Load Reduction: A focused review session allows students to consolidate learning and address misconceptions without the distraction of new content. This promotes deeper understanding and retention.
• Spaced Practice: Research supports the idea that retrieval practice spaced over time improves memory. A dedicated review day gives students an additional chance for spaced retrieval before the test.
• Error Correction: A full review session often uncovers misconceptions that can be addressed in a more structured and targeted way. Studies show that immediate feedback during review sessions can significantly improve learning outcomes.
• Confidence Boosting: Students benefit from a final opportunity to clarify doubts, which reduces anxiety and enhances test performance.

However, this approach might result in “cramming,” where the emphasis on new learning is sacrificed to allow time for review.

Years ago we had the privilege of having Brene' Brown lead professional learning on our campus. (I wrote about it here.) It was a magical time where the learning sessions pushed your thinking.  During one of the sessions we did an exercise where we drilled down and identified our core values.  I recently found my notes from the session along with a sheet of paper with a small box in the center where I had identified two core values.  I wondered how I had grown and shifted over the years professionally and searched online to do the activity again.  I found the activity from Dare to Lead shared on Brene' Brown's website. 

The exercise morphed a bit for me as my small box identifying two core values grew to five. I could have grouped the values into just two per the exercise, but I believe the five values stand on their own. This will be my 30th year working inside a school building, and these values drive who I am and what I believe creates a healthy thriving school community. 

In a recent converstation with a teacher around the use of scaffolds in instruction, I was asked how I can actually see scaffolding when I visit classrooms. Scaffolds and differentiation are two of the look fors on our districts classroom walk through form. As we talked I brought up examples from a recent visit to her classroom. By the end of our conversation she realized she was actually scaffolding and adjusting her instruction continuously without naming what she was doing. 

Here are 10 strategies a teacher can use to scaffold learning for a student who is confused:

1. Breaking Down the Task: Simplify complex tasks by breaking them into smaller, more manageable steps. Provide clear, step-by-step instructions to guide the student through each part of the task.
2. Modeling: Demonstrate the task or concept in front of the student. This could involve solving a problem step-by-step, writing a paragraph with proper structure, or demonstrating a scientific experiment. This allows students to see the end product and the steps needed to get there.
3. Think-Alouds: Verbally share your thought process while performing a task, solving a problem, or reading a text. This strategy helps students understand how to approach a task and make their own thinking process more explicit.
4. Visual Aids: Use charts, graphs, diagrams, and other visual aids to represent ideas and relationships. Visuals can make abstract concepts more concrete and understandable.
5. Asking Leading Questions: Use open-ended questions to guide the student's thinking and encourage deeper understanding. Ask questions that prompt students to reflect on what they know and how they can apply that knowledge.
6. Adjusting the Pace: Slow down instruction to ensure that students have enough time to grasp new concepts. This might mean spending more time on difficult topics or allowing students to work at their own pace within a given framework.
7. Using Real-life Examples: Connect learning material to real-life situations that are relevant to the student's experiences. This can help make abstract concepts more tangible and easier to understand.
8. Building on Prior Knowledge: Connect new concepts to topics the student already understands. This can help the student form connections and see the relevance of new information.
9. Presenting Common Misconceptions Up Front:  Let students know where learners often get confused or make mistakes before they even start working on their own.
10. Using Sentence Starters: Sentence starters provide a framework that can help students begin their sentences more easily, reduce anxiety around speaking or writing, and assist in structuring their thoughts coherently. 

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​The power of these 10 techniques lies in their simplicity and adaptability.  My conversation made me realize that sometimes we need to step back and actually name the practices that our buzz words are referencing.   If you can think of additional strategies to add to my 10, please leave a comment as we always get better together. 😊​  

In the book Building Thinking Skills in the Math Classroom, Peter Liljedahl incorporatres thinking routines into classroom instruction as a powerful way to enhance students' cognitive skills and foster a deeper understanding of the content. Thinking routines are structured yet flexible strategies that encourage students to process information thoughtfully and critically. Here's how you can implement these routines in your classroom.

Understanding Thinking Routines
Thinking routines are systematic procedures that guide students through the process of thinking about and engaging with new information. They are designed to be used repeatedly, helping students develop a habit of thoughtful consideration and deep processing.

Steps to Teach Thinking Routines

1. Choose the Right Routine: Select routines that align with your learning objectives. For example, use 'See-Think-Wonder' for introducing new topics or 'Think-Pair-Share' for encouraging discussion and peer learning.
   1. See-Think-Wonder and here in more detail.  Video explanation. 
2. Model the Routine: Demonstrate how to use the routine. For instance, if using 'See-Think-Wonder', show students how to observe, reflect, and ask questions about a new concept or idea.
3. Practice Regularly: Integrate thinking routines into daily lessons. Consistent practice helps students internalize the process and apply it independently.
4. Encourage Reflection: After completing a routine, ask students to reflect on their learning process. This step reinforces the value of the routine and encourages metacognition.
5. Adapt and Differentiate: Modify routines to suit diverse learners and varying content areas. Flexibility ensures that all students can engage meaningfully with the routine.

Benefits of Thinking Routines

• Enhances Critical Thinking: Regular use of thinking routines helps develop students' analytical and evaluative skills.
• Promotes Engagement: These routines encourage active participation and deeper engagement with the material.
• Supports Collaboration: Many routines involve group work, fostering teamwork and communication skills.

Implementing thinking routines in your classroom can transform the learning experience, making it more interactive, reflective, and meaningful. By consistently applying these strategies, you can help students develop the habits of mind necessary for lifelong learning.

​Additional Resources

Math classrooms often fall into a routine of passive learning, where students are more spectators than active participants. This method, while widely observed, often stifles curiosity and critical thinking. Inspired by math instruction in Julie Burnside's classroom, I am reading and learning from the book Building Thinking Classrooms in Math by Peter Lijedhal. Drawing insights from Liljedahl's research, I want to explore how we can shift towards an engaging and thought-provoking math learning environment.

In many math classes, the prevalent norm is a one-way flow of information from teacher to student, where students mimic processes rather than engage in deep thinking. (I do, we do, you do.) This can lead to a passive learning environment where students’ roles are limited to absorbing information rather than actively exploring and understanding mathematical concepts. Liljedahl points out that such norms are built on the assumption that students either can't or won't think for themselves, which is a  mindset that classrooms like Julie Burnside's is disrupting. 

Three Starter Steps to Activate Thinking in Math

1. Implement Thinking Tasks: Shift from tasks that promote mere memorization or repetition of demonstrated procedures to those that truly engage students in thinking. Problem-solving should be about exploring unknown paths and finding solutions, not just applying taught methods to new numbers​​. (I wrote a post about Thinking Routines too.)
2. Foster an Active Learning Environment: Encourage activities that require more than passive note-taking. For instance, presenting students with real-world problems that they have to collaboratively solve can stimulate more active engagement and critical thinking​​.
3. Promote a Culture of Inquiry and Exploration: Create a classroom atmosphere where questions are valued as much as answers. Encourage students to ask why and how, to explore multiple solutions, and to learn from their attempts, whether successful or not.

By adopting these strategies, math teachers can transform their classrooms into engaged, active learning environments, where students are not just learning mathematics but are also developing essential life skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.  

Let's move beyond traditional teaching norms and create math classrooms that inspire and challenge our students.

Additional Resources:
@LearnBitesized created a great resource that walks you through all 14 teaching practices. There is a video to summarize each practice and they do a nice job connecting the practices throughout content areas. 

The demands that are being placed on classroom teachers continue to increase as time passes. I see it and continually search for ways to help decrease the workload and create systems that help teachers efficiently use their time. Magic School AI is the latest tool I have found to reduce teacher workload in a number of areas.  

Magic School AI has over 50 tools that teachers can use when designing instruction, differentiating, and offering feedback to students. (Those are naming just a few of the things the tool can help with.) Look below for all the different ways Magic School AI can support teachers. 

Logging in and experimenting with the tools sent me down many rabbit holes! The tool offers so many ways to differentiate, accomodate SPED students, translate, spiral back through concepts, identify common misconceptions and SO much more! 

The video overview by founder  Adeel Khan gives you a quick glimpse into the power of the tool.

As an example of the assistance that the tool can provide in lesson planning, watch the short video below to see how I move from identifying a learning objective, creating a suggested plan and creating a Demonstration of Learning that students should be able to complete in 10 minutes or less. 

People that are amazing at what they do....I nickname "wizzards", and I think this AI tool has the potential to be a virtual wizzard and create some magic for teachers if used and fact checked carefully.  Give it a try and see what you think! 

Using a timer during a lesson to pace your instruction is a powerful tool.  Below are 4 areas where I consistently see a timer improving the quality of instruction in a classroom.
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1. Streamlining Transitions:  A timer establishes a clear structure, enabling students to anticipate the upcoming switch. By doing so, it enhances classroom management, ensuring swift and organized transitions without wasting precious learning time.
2. Boosting Focus and Time Management Skills: Timers provide a visual and auditory reminder, nudging students to remain attentive and manage their time efficiently. Over time, this consistent practice can improve their intrinsic time management skills.
3. Setting Clear Expectations: Whether it's a group discussion, individual reading, or a writing task, setting a timer makes the duration and expectation clear. This helps students mentally allocate energy and effort to complete the task within the specified time, promoting efficiency and diligence.
4. Promoting Autonomy and Independence: A timer's signal provides students with the cue they need to move on to the next task or wrap up their current activity. This self-guided approach reduces dependency on teacher prompts, fostering a culture of self-management and responsibility.

If you are using a Google Slide Deck learn this quick tip to add a timed slide into your deck with just a few strokes on your keyboard.

Click here to add the Slides Timer Extension to Chrome
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If you are a Canva user and are generating slide decks over there, there is also an easy way to add a timer to your slides in the moment.

Check-out either or both methods and add timers to your instructional design quickly and easily!