Understanding the Intersection of Dyslexia and Giftedness: A Comprehensive Insight

Dyslexia, often perceived through a narrow lens of reading challenges, is a complex neurological condition affecting how the brain processes written and sometimes spoken language. Giftedness, on the other hand, is characterized by exceptional intellectual abilities, creativity, or talent. At the intersection of these two distinct characteristics lies a population of individuals who defy

Posted on: 9 March 2024 | 1:54 pm

Unwrapping TEKS: Unlocking the Path to Student Success

 Educators are well-versed with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) - a comprehensive set of educational standards that outline what students should know and be able to do in various subjects at each grade level. But to effectively utilize TEKS in the classroom, it’s essential to ‘unwrap’ them. Unwrapping TEKS is the process of breaking down these broad standards into specific,

Posted on: 28 June 2023 | 11:02 am

Good Vibrations

Week 3 Everyday, at a continues rate, the kids are experiencing heavy doses of positivity. Whether it's discipline or discussion, positive energy builds constantly. Here are a couple examples of the positive foundation being laid at the start of each class. As the students enter class, Mom has them slap a brightly colored icon. Depending on which one they choose, they get one of the following

Posted on: 11 September 2019 | 12:29 pm

Week 2: A Call to Arms

Week 2: The most important thing Mrs. Dahl teaches is metacognition. Understanding brain hooks, and the importance of knowing the difference between a fixed vs growth mindset can be applied to everything students will do in life. These kids are being setup to be life long learners, with a potential intellectual capacity far greater than their peers who do not learn about metacognition. It's

Posted on: 3 September 2019 | 12:37 pm

Introducing My Classroom Observer - and Guest Blogger - My Son

My son, David, has decided to follow in my footsteps and become a teacher. I am beyond thrilled! Me with my awesome sons, Jared and David. David is the one in red. In order to give him a realistic view of teacher life, and a window into brain-friendly teaching, I invited him into my classroom as an assistant and observer.  He plans to continue to do so as he works his way through online

Posted on: 1 September 2019 | 6:14 pm

Beginning of the Year Brain Lessons

I like to teach my students a few basic brain facts from the very first day of school. I find the knowledge is empowering for them and can be referred back to all year. I've taught these lessons to 2-4th graders. They can certainly be used in upper grades too. I'm attaching the lessons I start with, along with links to all the resources. Feel free to use these in your classroom to empower your

Posted on: 11 August 2018 | 10:27 am

Making History Real for My Students, Part 4: Chaos Erupts

Get off my land! Students knew they were in for a challenging day before they even entered the class. Mexico had won its independence from Spain. Now two tax collectors stood at the door to tax students on everything they brought into the classroom (Texas/Mexico) from their homeroom (USA). I led students to believe the money would actually be coming out of their classroom accounts (they have

Posted on: 15 May 2017 | 6:09 am

Making History Real for my Students, Part 3: Students Try to Mutiny!

Students' view upon arrival. Part One Part Two Part Three My students strolled into class to find most of the room (aka their lands) taped off. I quickly informed them that Spanish Land Grants were multiplying, leaving little room for the tribes. They sort of, but not really calmly found room to squeeze all 18 of them in what little space was left. After all, it was supposed to be

Posted on: 5 February 2017 | 3:31 pm

Make History Real For Students, Part 2: Upping the Rigor

Part One Part Two One by one the students stopped working, peering up in confusion. Our Library Media Specialist (Alison Smithwick) and a Technology Coach (Elizabeth Benno) had slipped quietly into the room. They appeared to be in a boat, and were pointing and pausing to confer and take notes. After sailing down the coast of our classroom, they quietly disappeared. The blue tape line for de

Posted on: 22 January 2017 | 5:18 pm

How I Make History Real for My Students, Part 1

"Hey, Mrs. Dahl. You should let us section the room into our tribal lands," one student earnestly opined on his way out after class. Another chimed in, "And we should have to sit in our own tribe's region!" We had just begun a unit about the Native American tribes of Texas. We spent time as a class building criteria for our reports based on what kids were expected to learn. They had picked groups

Posted on: 19 January 2017 | 8:18 pm

Holy Metacognition, Batman! Have you read this book?

The new book is here! The new book is here! Anyone who reads my blog knows that I am a big fan of Donna Wilson and Marcus Conyers of BrainSMART. Their passion for teaching teachers about the learning brain is inspiring. I can say with all sincerity that they have had a profound impact on me as a teacher and an individual. So, when I saw their new book, I knew I had to have a copy.  I

Posted on: 10 August 2016 | 10:49 am

Video Reflection Tools for Teachers

I previously posted about the value of using video for self-reflection. The ability to step outside of yourself to evaluate your teaching is something we should all be doing. However, once you get past the initial traumatic thoughts such as: OMG I'm so fat!, That blouse is going in the trash!, Is that really how I sound?, or my personal favorite, Did he really just pick his

Posted on: 2 August 2016 | 9:26 am

Immersive Virtual Field Trips? Rock on!

I got to experience - well, actually watch others experience - Google Cardboard at the #TCEA16 conference in Austin, TX. The reaction of those individuals participating in the immersive Mt. Everest expedition was enough to sell me. My favorite part was when the participants all jumped at once as they all looked over the edge of a cliff that the rest of us couldn't see. That's when I knew I had to

Posted on: 20 February 2016 | 10:48 am

Need a Powerful Method of Reflection?

When I was in college to become a teacher, one of the most valuable things I learned was the skill of reflection. One method of reflection we were encouraged to utilize was to video ourselves teaching and reflect on our performance. What a powerful tool! It is absolutely amazing what you will notice about yourself and your students when you are looking from the outside in. Maybe you ignored

Posted on: 10 January 2016 | 7:21 pm

Delightful Book Teaches Kids To Be Happy With Who They Are

Introducing a fabulous new book, Is There an App for That?  My students loved it! We are all used to having apps available to solve all kinds of dilemmas. From leveling our classroom libraries to tracking our health...there's an app for that! In this book a girl named Hailey discovers a mysterious app that can make her faster, smarter, taller, and more. After going through several changes

Posted on: 24 August 2015 | 5:39 pm

Tool for Teaching the Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset

Wow! I just ran across this on Pinterest and then found it on TPT. It's a bulletin board that teaches kids and teens about the growth mindset. This should be actively referred to ALL year to keep it in the forefront of students' minds. Be sure to teach the concept of neuroplasticity along with it and I can guarantee you will have a positive lifelong impact on your students! I've purchased it

Posted on: 15 August 2015 | 8:03 am

Books that Teach PreK-3rd Grade Thinking Skills

Last week I had the opportunity to present classes about brain-based teaching at Learning@Lovejoy. I mentioned several books that I read my class in addition to the BrainSMART curriculum. Several teachers asked for a list of the books that I use. Here it is! Courage by Bernard Waber (Courage) The Worst Day of My Life Ever! By Julia Cook (Listening) Personal Space Camp by Julia Cook (

Posted on: 4 August 2015 | 12:28 pm

Day 4 of the #30DayBlogChallenge: The 2nd Big Idea for Effective Teaching

Alrighty then! I made it through the first week of school alive. It's going to be a great year. Now I can write day 4 of the 30 day blog challenge (which is actually something like day 12, but who is counting!). In my last post I talked about the plasticity of the brain as the first big idea for effective teaching in Wilson and Conyer's book Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching. Today I will

Posted on: 1 September 2014 | 12:59 pm

Day 3 #30dayblogchallenge: The First Big Idea for Effective Teaching

For the third day of the 30 Day Blog Challenge, I'm going to review the first big idea from Wilson and Conyers book, Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching. The first big idea relates to the implications of neural plasticity for learning and teaching. Scientists used to believe that intelligence is fixed, however advances in brain research have proven quite the opposite. This is a concept that

Posted on: 24 August 2014 | 10:04 am

How Do I Explain My Strategies?

The new school year begins in my new district on Monday. I'm thinking about all the metacognitive skills I teach my students and how to go about sharing brain-based strategies with those who inquire. The easiest way would be to direct them to the book, Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching: Connecting Mind, Brain, and Education Research to Classroom Practice by Donna Wilson and Marcus Conyers.

Posted on: 23 August 2014 | 7:33 am

Day 1 of the 30 Day Blog Challenge: Number Talks

Post updated 08/24/2014 I'm joining the 30 day blog challenge. I've needed the motivation! Today I want to put one of my goals for this school year out there. This way all my friends can help hold me accountable! One of my goals is to fine tune my Number Talks. What is a Number Talk?  Number Talks are a fantastic way to increase your students flexibility with numbers. You may think you

Posted on: 18 August 2014 | 6:09 pm

Engaging Brains: How to Enhance Learning by Teaching Kids About Neuroplasticity

This post is co-authored by Marcus Conyers who, with Donna Wilson, is co-developer of the M.S. and Ed.S. Brain-Based Teaching degree programs at Nova Southeastern University. They have written several books, including Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching: Connecting Mind, Brain, and Education Research to Classroom Practice. Enhancing Student Commitment Explicitly

Posted on: 14 February 2014 | 9:18 am

What does neuroplasticity research suggest about the potential of all students to master the 4Cs?

This article by Donna Wilson, Ph.D., is a fantastic look into student potential as it relates to the plasticity of the brain. It is also posted here: www.p21.org. Donna Wilson, Ph.D., is a school/educational psychologist, teacher educator, and author. Her most recent books include Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching: Connecting Mind, Brain, and Education Research to Classroom Practice&

Posted on: 23 January 2014 | 6:02 am

How to Plan and Schedule Guided Reading Groups

Planning for Guided Reading can be a particularly daunting task. Especially if you want to meet with your lowest groups every day, and every single group at least once a week. Throw in a few assemblies, library time, and any other number of interruptions and it's a hair pulling experience! I'd like to share my solution for planning all this out. Determine Student Reading Levels At the beginning

Posted on: 9 November 2013 | 10:32 am

Thinking Across Content - Good Mathematicians Poster

We all know that students who monitor their thinking while reading do better. Therefore it follows that students who monitor their thinking across ALL subject areas will do better in other subjects as well. The problem many students face is knowing how to transition those skills to other subjects. In fact, many don't even know they can! We have to explicitly teach kids to use thinking skills

Posted on: 3 November 2013 | 8:09 am