DJ NicholsonMay 42 minHow Would You Like to Be Led?Traditionally, teaching has been teacher-led. The teacher stands mostly in the front of the room, perhaps in front of a board. Students...
DJ NicholsonApr 112 minIs Child's Play Still a 'Thing'?With all of the demands, expectations and standards thrown at children, I wonder if this is still an active expression. Growing up, this...
DJ NicholsonApr 12 minFlip It.NO! Not that kind of flip... Flipped learning. Never heard of it? Flipped learning can be a game changer for children that need more...
DJ NicholsonMar 182 minRedefining the Word "Pencil"As someone who truly appreciates a good #2 pencil, the traditional pencil is my tool of choice when I am writing and has been since I was...
DJ NicholsonMar 152 minThe What, How and Why of InclusionYou actually do know WHAT to do. As an educator, you know what inclusion is. You can define it and talk about it. You can even say "We...
DJ NicholsonFeb 192 minWhat did you say? I didn't catch that...I am not an auditory learner. I know this about myself, so I am able to compensate by writing things down and making sure that I am...
DJ NicholsonFeb 93 minHigh Frequency Words: It's Time to DifferentiateIf they already know the word, why do you keep teaching it?! High frequency words are those that are most common and can be recognized by...
DJ NicholsonFeb 42 minInstructional Design: Explicit and Systematic InstructionNow that we have a handle on how to determine Present Levels of Performance/Function (PLoP/F)s and have relevant goals that align, let's...
DJ NicholsonJan 312 minSo... What is Specially Designed Instruction?It's time to consider how we're addressing academic skill gaps. (Note: For the purpose of this article, the focus will be on academic...
DJ NicholsonJan 232 minFlip the Script on Scripted Teaching and Reading Skill GapsWouldn't you like to choose your own words when you're providing instruction? Especially if it's Specially Designed Instruction for...
DJ NicholsonDec 27, 20212 minYou Must Have a Recipe.I am not known for my skills in the kitchen. Partly because I have never had a cooking class or entertained the thought of cooking as a...
DJ NicholsonDec 8, 20211 minThe Author's ChairAs an author, you are expected to use a pencil or other writing implement. TRUE or FALSE? Please don't say TRUE, because you would be...
DJ NicholsonDec 6, 20212 minLook, I Built an ABC Bridge!!In Kindergarten, students in my class learned how to create AB, ABC, ABAC and other assorted patterns as part of mathematics. During...
DJ NicholsonDec 1, 20211 minHigh Expectations for the WIN!!Don't let the image fool you... an athlete I am not! But I have always had high expectations for my students, so that makes them (and...
DJ NicholsonNov 23, 20211 minThe Sun, The Moon and Everything Else Up ThereScience was never my strong suit, even in high school. But as a teacher, we gotta do, what we gotta do, right?! I was all set for my...
DJ NicholsonNov 16, 20212 minHmmm... How Do I Make A Goal?I love setting goals. I am also one of those folks that makes a list with pencil and paper to ensure that I can map out my goals and...
DJ NicholsonNov 8, 20212 minRubber Bands Around the FingersAnyone that knows me, knows that rubber bands are my least favorite office supply. It's a sensory thing for me and a story for another...