Learning Unlocked
81 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago -Learning Unlocked is hosted by Brit Bingold, Julia Salce, and Wendy Peterson, Instructional Specialists for Gilbert Public Schools, in Gilbert AZ. GPS and our Professional Growth Department believe that educators are the key-holders to unlocking learning for students. The goal of the podcast is to provide educators with resources and tools--the KEYS--to enable and accelerate learning for all students.
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Episodes
S7E56: The Impact of Special Areas on Student Learning
March 11, 2024 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.5 MBGuests: Natalie Krafft, Oak Tree Elementary - Music and Marissa Gomez, Boulder Creek - Art In this episode, Brit chats with Natalie and Marissa about their world in special areas. We dive into the secrets of how these spaces boost brainpower for all students and snag some nifty tips on sprinkling art and music into regular classrooms too. Tune in for a chat that's sure to spark some joy! Resources: School of Rock Harvard Health Publishing University of Central Florida Roussea...
Tackling Teacher Perfectionism and More!
February 05, 2024 11:00 - 52 minutes - 46.2 MBGuest: Elizabeth Evans, Director of Civic Education Programs at Arizona State University In this episode, Brit and Liz bond over their common enemy: perfectionism! They share their own stories of overthinking and struggling to please others, while giggling their way through practical tips for beating the perfectionism blues. With their help, you'll be able to perform your best, without losing your sanity in the process!
S7E55: Tackling Teacher Perfectionism and More!
February 05, 2024 11:00 - 52 minutes - 46.2 MBGuest: Elizabeth Evans, Director of Civic Education Programs at Arizona State University In this episode, Brit and Liz bond over their common enemy: perfectionism! They share their own stories of overthinking and struggling to please others, while giggling their way through practical tips for beating the perfectionism blues. With their help, you'll be able to perform your best, without losing your sanity in the process!
S7E54: Gamification for Motivation using Classcraft
October 25, 2023 00:03 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBGuest: Leslee Mizen-Stroud, Middle School Social Studies Teacher In this episode, Brit gets all the details on how Leslee is leveling up her teaching game with Classcraft! This edtech gem is a gamified tool that even non-gamers can rock with their students. Listen in as Leslee "spills the tea" on how Classcraft has revolutionized her teaching style and made her classroom a more engaging and dynamic space for learning. Resources: Leslee's Top "Random Events" for relationship building a...
S7E53: Getting Candid: Grading and Teacher Credibility
September 20, 2023 16:46 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBGuests: Trisha Shores & Marcus Hire, High School English and Social Science Teachers and Instructional Coaches In this episode, we discussed the intersection of teacher credibility and grading practices and beliefs, namely what it takes to shift the learning focus away from traditional grading and some of the toxic behaviors it can unintentionally create, to a culture that values mastery of learning. The heartfelt moments and candid conversations had about the learning roadblocks teachers ...
S7E52: Building Community & Confidence with Younger Students
September 04, 2023 10:00 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBGuest: Jammie Zimmer, Second Grade Teacher Joining Wendy for this podcast is Jammie Zimmer, a second grade teacher who excels at Building Community and Connection. Although she teaches young children, many of her ideas can easily be transferred to classes with older students. Most importantly, catch Jammie's enthusiasm, passion, and pure joy; her love of teaching will reignite yours!
S7E51: Perspectives on Teaching: Just Give Them a Pencil!
August 07, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBGuests: Brit Bingold, Julia Salce, and Wendy Peterson Our Professional Growth Instructional Specialists are 'put on the spot' as they discuss perspectives on teaching from veteran teachers. Listen to learn, be entertained, and "give 'them' a pencil"!
S6E50: Purposeful Classroom Movement
April 03, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBGuest: Jordan Hall, Instructional Coach In this episode, Jordan and Brit celebrate episode 50 with one of our essential instructional routines: MOVEMENT! We discuss how purposeful movement utilizes strategies that allow students to move while processing content and how it enhances instruction rather than detracting from it. Want to know more? Brit's GOGOMO Playlist on Spotify GOGOGO Strategy Explanation Video GOGOMO Sentence Frames Four-Corners Strategy/Video Quiz-Quiz-Trade ...
S6E49: Say, Do, Make, Write: Opportunities for Formative Assessment
March 13, 2023 11:00 - 54 minutes - 51.4 MBGuest: Julia Salce, Instructional Specialist In this episode, we 'unlock' formative assessment by discussing it through an instructional lens. How can educators provide students opportunities to say, do, make, or write, thus allowing teachers time to assess and collect learning evidence formatively? We discuss this question and work to answer it in today's conversation. Want to learn more? Formative Assessment Reference One-Pager One Teacher's Take on Clipboard Cruising GOGOMO St...
S6E48: Strategies for Effective Cooperative Learning
February 20, 2023 11:00 - 57 minutes - 54.4 MBGuest: Shannon Jauregui, High School English Teacher In this episode, Shannon and Brit share their love for Kagan cooperative learning strategies and how to use them intentionally in the classroom. Want to learn more? Kagan Structures: A Miracle of Active Engagement Kagan Structures Elevate High School Achievement Cooperative Learning Quick Reference Guide
S6E47: Rethinking Note-Taking
February 06, 2023 11:00 - 49 minutes - 50.7 MBGuest: Trish Smith, 8th Grade Social Sciences Teacher In this episode, Trish shares with Brit how she leverages different types of note-taking in her classroom to help her students comprehend the material and remember what they have learned to reference for future lessons. Want to learn more? Link It - Learn It - Log It Notes INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICE: Layering Notes Article III Economic Competition Notes-Smith Guidelines for Notes/Summaries in Social Studies Sample Stude...
S6E46: Elephants in the Classroom
January 23, 2023 11:00 - 59 minutes - 55.6 MBGuest: Wendy Peterson In this episode, Brit and Wendy discuss two of John Hattie's highest rankings: Teacher Estimates of Student Achievement and Collective Teacher Efficacy. Despite their high effect sizes, both harbor "elephants" in the classroom, so we determine how to move past this to embrace and implement their power to accelerate student learning fully. Want to know more? Wendy's Estimates and Efficacy Resource Handouts Wendy's Excerpts of Estimates and Efficacy Research W...
S5E45: Critical Wait Time Part 2
December 05, 2022 11:00 - 46 minutes - 44.4 MBGuest: Julia Salce, Instructional Specialist In this episode, Julia & Brit continue their conversation about using wait time in the classroom and its powerful effects on teachers. They also suggest strategies for Wait Time 1 & Wait Time 2. Want to learn more? THE ARTICLE Budd Rowe.pdf Wait Time | Vanderbilt Tips for Implementation Wait-Time Strategies One-Pager made by Julia Salce
S5E44: Critical Wait Time Part 1
November 14, 2022 11:00 - 54 minutes - 49.2 MBGuest: Julia Salce, M.Ed, NBCT & Instructional Specialist In this episode, Julia and Brit GEEK OUT over their new learning about "wait time." We chat about how the brain learns through a "race-car vs. hiker brain" analogy and reveal how crucial wait time is for critical thinking and learner efficacy. Want to learn more? THE ARTICLE Budd Rowe.pdf Using Think Time to Let All Students Show What They Know | Edutopia Teaching Tools in a Flash - Wait Time - Final.pdf Wait Time: Mak...
S5E43: Burning SPED Questions Answered
October 31, 2022 10:00 - 57 minutes - 54.1 MBGuests: Courtney McIntosh and Jennifer Reagan, Special Education Coordinators In this episode, Courtney and Jen answer four commonly asked questions from general education teachers about special education, including the similarities and differences between IEPs and 504 plans, as well as what basic understandings all teachers need to know about special education laws.
S5E42: Collecting Frequent 'Kid Data'
October 17, 2022 10:00 - 58 minutes - 51.8 MBGuest: Lindsay Wilson, Instructional Coach In this episode, Lindsay shares two strategies that create frequent opportunities to collect student classroom data that will help teachers make data driven decisions in their classrooms. Want more? Here are the resources from this episode: "My Favorite No" Strategy from The Teaching Channel The Power of Data: Instructional Strategies to Help You Create a Data-Driven Classroom from Better Lesson 27 easy formative assessment strategies for ...
S5E41: Instructional Tech Tools for '22
September 19, 2022 10:00 - 59 minutes - 54.6 MBGuest: Shawn Abele, District Technology Coordinator In this episode, Shawn shares several great tips and technology tools to assist students and teachers. We discuss how to use tech for engagement, efficiency, and ease. Other top tools from Shawn: Google Slides Canva Whiteboard.chat Blooket Gimkit Quizziz Want to learn more from Shawn (or get the list of the Robot library)? [email protected] Are you a GPS Employee? Check out the Instructional Framework Tec...
S5E40: Strategies that Fuel the Brain
September 05, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBGuest: Julia Salce, Instructional Specialist In this episode, Julia and I chat about the ways the brain learns and how and WHY the 'link-it-learn-it-log-it' strategy for note-taking and the 'blind brain dump' strategy for retrieval practice help ALL students learn. Want more? [email protected] Uncommon Sense Teaching by Barbara Oakley, Beth Rogowsky, and Terrence J. Sejnowski (the big orange book that Julia LOVES). The 'Link-It-Learn-It-Log-It' Strategy by Julia Sal...
S5E39: Student-Centered Coaching
August 22, 2022 10:00 - 54 minutes - 48.6 MBGuests: Sarah Erhart, Ayn Kelly-Harris, Tammie Borden, and Wendy Peterson In this episode, a few of our district instruction coaches stopped by to discuss the role of an instructional coach and explain how coaches are an essential part of student-centered learning and collective teacher efficacy. Want to learn more? Visit: https://www.dianesweeney.com/
S4E38: A Culture of REFLECTion
May 23, 2022 10:00 - 50 minutes - 45 MBGuests: Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson, Instructional Specialists In this season finale, we discuss the last domain of our district Instructional Framework. The Reflect domain wraps of the mini-series we have done within Season 4. Want to know more? Bookmark us: https://linktr.ee/GPSPGD "Is Your Lesson a Grecian Urn?" by Jennifer Gonzalez Rapid Fire Questions from the Dare to Lead Podcast hosted by Brene Brown
S4E37: Instructional Book Tasting
April 11, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 70.3 MBGuests: Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson In this episode, we chat about what we are currently reading and provide a 'taste' of each instructional book and what it has to offer educators. Instructional Books Discussed: Uncommon Sense Teaching by Barbara Oakley PhD, Beth Rogowsky EdD, Terrence J. Sejnowski 10 Mindframes for Visible Learning by John Hattie & Klaus Zierer Instructional Agility by Cassandra Erkens, Tom Schimmer, and Nicole Dimich Vagle John Hattie’s Visible Learnin...
S4E36: ASSESSment in ACTION
April 04, 2022 10:00 - 59 minutes - 54.5 MBGuests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce In this episode, the three of us dive into different types of assessment and how they each impact learning. We also discuss how to create a feedback-friendly culture in the classroom. Want to know more? Bookmark us: https://linktr.ee/GPSPGD TransFormative Assessment by W. James Popham. "When teachers stop learning, so do students." -Jim Knight Check out our PGD Feedback Templates: Performance Task Reflection Form Quiz Auto-Feedback R...
S4E35: Painless Pivots for 4th Quarter
March 14, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MBGuests: Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson In this episode, we face “the beginning of the end” of this school year by unlocking three ways to painlessly pivot in order to wrap up this quarter in a positive and productive way. Want to learn more? "This Year, Take "Self-Care" Off Your "To-Do" List" by Michelle Trujillo Uncommon Sense Teaching by Barbara Oakley, PhD, Beth Rogowsky, EdD, and Terrence J. Sejnowski "Sifting Through The Year": Pivoting from Packing to Placing Template by PG...
S4E34: Revisiting the Importance of ALEs
March 01, 2022 17:29 - 1 hour - 64.1 MBToday’s episode is from season 1, episode 7 on Creating Active Learning Experiences. In this episode, Julia Salce debunks the myths of direct instruction and discusses the high-impact of blending short bursts of instruction with active learning experiences (ALEs), no matter the age group or content area. We also discuss briefly the importance of teacher and student clarity in relation to direct instruction. This episode repost is in response to our development of a NEW series of active ...
S4E33: Quality Test Prep
February 14, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBGuests: Julia Salce & Wendy Peterson, Instructional Specialists Gilbert Public Schools Professional Growth & Development As we enter into "testing season," we address high-stakes test preparation. In the episode, we dive into the "dos" and "don'ts" of test prep and the importance of using retrieval practice as an effective strategy in creating quality learning and test prep throughout the entire school year. Want to learn more? Check out our Linktr.ee! As mentioned in this episode: ...
S4E32: Preparing for a Substitute F.A.S.T
January 31, 2022 11:00 - 59 minutes - 52.2 MBGuests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce Instructional Specialists, Gilbert Public Schools In this episode, we chat about creating effective and efficient substitute plans and discuss ways to make this process more beneficial all. Want our easy-to-use substitute template for FREE and recipes for those under the weather? Links above not working? Visit our website to download!
S4 Bonus Episode: New Year, New Format
January 25, 2022 20:49 - 5 minutes - 6.08 MBThis week’s episode is a bonus episode. As you all know, we are in the midst of another COVID surge. For this short episode, I would like to speak directly to you drawing inspiration from a renowned educator, Caitlin Tucker and psychotherapist, Esther Perel to review the new format the podcast is taking for Season 4. Thanks for listening, Brit
S3E31: Unwrap Your Own "Present"
December 06, 2021 11:00 - 54 minutes - 48.7 MBGuest: Suzanne Lunt, Instructional Coach In this season finale, Suzanne provides practical strategies for educators to use to be more present over winter break in order to return to school both mentally and emotionally, as well as how to balance work and life during the rest of the school year. Want more from Suzanne? IG: @kickingincoaching [email protected] The Essence of a Mother by Julie S. Jensen (Suzanne's sister's book) The Rabbit Effect by Kelli Harding
S3E30: Correcting Common Classroom Blunders
November 22, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBGuest: Dawn Koberstein Principal, Mesquite Elementary School In this episode, Dawn and Brit look back on their own classroom blunders, such as group work and cold calling, and provide simple strategies to correct these missteps in order to positively impact the learning experience for both the teacher and the students. Want more from Dawn? [email protected]
S3E29: INSTRUCTion: Always Under Construction
November 08, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBGuests: Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson, Instructional Specialists In this episode, we are back again focusing on the INSTRUCT domain of our district's Instructional Framework. We dive deep into what high-quality instruction looks like in the classroom and focus on three key areas: teacher clarity, intentionality, and student engagement. And of course, rapid fire questions! Want more from our instructional specialists? Visit our podcast site: https://learningunlocked.libsyn.com/websit...
S3E28: Practical Strategies for Restorative Discipline
October 25, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBGuests: Dale Lunt, Elementary Principal and Brittany Brady, Social Worker Gilbert Public Schools In this episode, Dale and Brittany share with Brit how they have implemented practical strategies for restorative discipline on their elementary campus and have had success with this approach with many students and families in the community. Want to learn more? [email protected] Principal Conference on Restorative Discipline mentioned in the episode.
S3E27: Lesson DESIGN (with Coffee and Candy Corn)
October 11, 2021 10:00 - 49 minutes - 44.1 MBGuests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce Instructional Specialists, Gilbert Public Schools With the help of pumpkin-pie coffee and candy corn, we review the concept of lesson design in this episode. We discuss how lesson design differs from lesson planning and dive into what the phrase "high-yield" means when it comes to instructional strategies and intentional instruction. Want more from PGD? [email protected] [email protected]
Lesson DESIGN (with Coffee and Candy Corn)
October 11, 2021 10:00 - 49 minutes - 44.1 MBGuests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce, Instructional Specialists With the help of pumpkin-pie coffee and candy corn, we review the concept of lesson design in this episode. We discuss how lesson design differs from lesson planning and dive into what the phrase "high-yield" means when it comes to instructional strategies and intentional instruction. Want more from PGD? [email protected] [email protected]
S3E26: What's in a Promise?: Student Barriers to Postsecondary Education
September 27, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 73.4 MBGuest: Dr. Sean Lively Principal, Ben Carson High School In this episode, Brit and Sean discuss his findings on the Detroit Promise Scholarship. Promise scholarship programs in large urban cities, like Detroit, can have significant impact not only on our students but our communities. We consider how a scholarship program like this would be beneficial locally and how the use of high-yield instructional strategies can support students to achieve scholarships and be more prepared for a pos...
Making CONNECTions in the Learning Community
September 13, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 78.8 MBGuests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce Instructional Specialists, Gilbert Public Schools Connecting with students, colleagues, and the community is foundational to education -- as Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson discuss with me in this episode. Our district has created an Instructional Framework focused squarely on student learning, including the five domains: Connect, Design, Instruct, Assess, and Reflect. As three veteran educators, we bring quite different perspectives on how to conn...
S3E25: Making CONNECTions in the Learning Community
September 13, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 78.8 MBGuests: Wendy Peterson and Julia Salce Instructional Specialists, Gilbert Public Schools Connecting with students, colleagues, and the community is foundational to education -- as Julia Salce and Wendy Peterson discuss with me in this episode. Our district has created an Instructional Framework focused squarely on student learning, including the five domains: Connect, Design, Instruct, Assess, and Reflect. As three veteran educators, we bring quite different perspectives on how to conn...
S3E24: Mental Health and It's Effects on Learning
August 22, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 18.4 MBGuest: Matthew Moix, PD.D, NCSP Coordinator of Psychological Services In this episode, Brit and Matt discuss the effects of mental health on student learning. Matt also provides strategies, learning supports, and actionable steps all teachers can use to create a mentally healthy learning space. Want more from Matt? [email protected]
S3E24: Mental Health and Its Effects on Learning
August 22, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 18.4 MBGuest: Matthew Moix, PD.D, NCSP Coordinator of Psychological Services In this episode, Brit and Matt discuss the effects of mental health on student learning. Matt also provides strategies, learning supports, and actionable steps all teachers can use to create a mentally healthy learning space. Want more from Matt? [email protected]
S3E23: Empowering Educators to Meet Every Student's Needs
August 09, 2021 10:00 - 47 minutes - 39.8 MBGuest: Kareem Farah CEO and Co-Founder of the Modern Classrooms Project In this first episode of season 3, Brit is joined by Kareem who was awarded the 2018 Standing Ovation Award for Excellence in Classroom Innovation for his blended, self-paced, mastery-based approach to teaching and learning. This conversation provides a basic overview of this approach and revolves around one of MCPs core values: "Education impacts every person, and every person has something to contribute. We are all...
S2E22: The Myth of 'Learning Loss'
May 24, 2021 10:00 - 52 minutes - 45.9 MBGuest: Melissa Hosten Co-Director at the University of Arizona Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers In this episode, debunking the myth of 'learning loss' is the focus. Melissa discusses her research findings and invites listeners to "hear the voices" of students and teachers from this past school year, including their challenges, but also their learning and growth. As this school year ends, Brit and Melissa encourage educators to breathe in relief, rest, recove...
Just in time Math: Building Math Confidence
May 10, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBGuest: Kim Haase K-6 Math Specialist In this episode, Brit and Kim discuss the importance of building a math culture that is based in confidence. This can be accomplished by reimagining the way math has be traditionally taught and using "Just in Time Math PD: Math in Minutes." Want more from Kim? [email protected]
S2E21: Just in Time Math: Building Math Confidence
May 10, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBGuest: Kim Haase K-6 Math Specialist In this episode, Brit and Kim discuss the importance of building a math culture that is based in confidence. This can be accomplished by reimagining the way math has be traditionally taught and using "Just in Time Math PD: Math in Minutes." Want more from Kim? [email protected]
S2E20: The Math Teacher's Toolbox
April 26, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBGuest: Bobson Wong High School Math Teacher, NYC In this episode, Brit and Bobson do the heavy lifting to learn the ropes of The Math Teacher's Toolbox: Hundreds of Practical Ideas to Support Your Students written by Bobson and Larisa Bukalov. This resource provides teachers with fresh, engaging, and hands-on strategies for students make connections across mathematical units and decrease "math anxiety". Want more from Bobson? Twitter: @bobsonwong http://bobsonwong.com
S2E19: Leading and Learning: Centered in Instruction
April 12, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 50.9 MBGuest: Melinda Murphy, M.Ed Principal, Highland High School In this episode, Melinda and Brit discuss trials--and triumphs--all those that come with balancing the administrative side of administration with the instructional leadership side of administration. Her insight enriches not just principals but all interested in moving schools forward. Listen in to learn the steps taken on her campus to gain collective commitment required for a central instructional goal. Want more from Meli...
S2E18: Home Over Work: Does Your Homework 'PASS'?
March 29, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 48.2 MBGuest: Julia Salce, M.Ed and NBCT Instructional Specialist In this episode, Julia and I discuss the impact of homework on students. We even delve into our own past blunders as teachers with homework and our experiences with homework with our own children. Because of our conflicting feelings, we dug into the research to see what we could learn--and that is what we'll discuss and share with you today. In addition to evidence based on our research, we chat strategies to assist teachers to ...
S2E17: Literacy Literally Locks in Learning
March 15, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 47.9 MBGuest: Jenna Quarelli-Buck Secondary ELA Curriculum Coordinator In this episode, Brit and Jenna chat about how crucial literacy skills are for students to be engaging in their school careers. We also reveal a simple strategy that can be used to help scaffold students into becoming critical and sophisticated readers and writers in any content area. Want more from Jenna? [email protected]
Literacy Literally Locks in Learning
March 15, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 47.9 MBGuest: Jenna Quarelli-Buck Secondary ELA Curriculum Coordinator In this episode, Brit and Jenna chat about how crucial literacy skills are for students to be engaging in their school careers. We also reveal a simple strategy that can be used to help scaffold students into becoming critical and sophisticated readers and writers in any content area. Want more from Jenna? [email protected]
S2E16: The Science Teacher's Toolbox
February 22, 2021 11:00 - 57 minutes - 51.5 MBGuest: Tara Dale NBCT, Author, and Instructional Coach In this episode, Tara shares with Brit pieces of her resource book, The Science Teacher's Toolbox and how she feels that even though the book is geared towards science teachers, all teachers can gain fresh strategies for their classrooms. The book also includes ways to promote a culturally responsive science classroom. Here is a sneak peak of Chapter 19! Want more from Tara? Twitter @TaraCDale
The Science Teacher's Toolbox
February 22, 2021 11:00 - 57 minutes - 51.5 MBGuest: Tara Dale NBCT, Author, and Instructional Coach In this episode, Tara shares with Brit pieces of her resource book, The Science Teacher's Toolbox and how she feels that even though the book is geared towards science teachers, all teachers can gain fresh strategies for their classrooms. The book also includes ways to promote a culturally responsive science classroom. Here is a sneak peak of Chapter 19! Want more from Tara? Twitter @TaraCDale
S2E15: How to Cultivate Teacher Credibility
February 08, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 68.7 MBGuest: Wendy S. Peterson Instructional Specialist In this episode, Wendy and Brit examine the four components of teacher credibility: trust, dynamism, competence, and immediacy, and how they are closely intertwined with classroom management. Want more from Wendy? FB Page: Inspiring Instruction; Email: [email protected]