David Ginsburg has served over 20 years as a math teacher, instructional leader, and PD provider. He leads a Philadelphia-based team of consultants that specializes in instructional coaching, leadership coaching, and common-core implementation. Follow David on Twitter, and connect with him through email and LinkedIn. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: teaching strategies.
Mathematics
Opinion
Doing Math vs. Understanding Math
A key instructional shift called for by the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics is the dual emphasis on conceptual understanding and procedural fluency.
Mathematics
Opinion
Do More for Students by Doing Less for Students
"Great idea, but it'll never work for my students." I hear this a lot when I encourage teachers to engage students in productive struggle rather than try to prevent struggle. I thought it wouldn't work for my students either, but they proved me wrong.
Teaching
Opinion
Rapid Release of Responsibility: You Do, We Do, I Do
Students often learn best through rapid release of responsibility, where teachers start with You Do rather than I Do.
Teaching
Opinion
A Think-Pair-Share on Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share is a great way to engage students and assess their understanding... if it's used effectively.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Ginsburg's Hierarchy of Help
Provide students access to the resources they need to be successful, and empower them with the skills they need to use those resources.
Teaching
Opinion
Perpetual Proximity: More Than a Behavior Management Strategy
Use proximity to assess and connect with students, not punish them.
Teaching
Opinion
Academic Vocabulary: Discover First, Define Second
Students learn best when given opportunities to discover or experience concepts before teachers define them.
Teaching
Opinion
Disorganized Classroom, Disastrous School Year
An organized classroom may not guarantee a successful year, but a disorganized classroom guarantees a disastrous year.
Teaching
Opinion
How Instructional Coaches Create Teacher Buy-In
Don't just focus on what and how teachers need to change. Explain why they need to change.
Mathematics
Opinion
Support CCSS Math With Answer-Giving, Not Answer-Getting
Giving answers to students in math class shifts the focus away from getting answers.
Professional Development
Opinion
Helping Teachers Play to Their Strengths
Identifying and reinforcing teachers' strengths is an important first step in the instructional coaching process.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Tough Love or No Love
Showing love for students means doing what's best for them, not what's easiest for us.
Education
Opinion
The Other Test Prep: Final Exam Review
Using class time to review for tests is a disservice to all students, whether they're slackers or studious.
Mathematics
Opinion
Welcome Back, Long Division?
I previously dismissed long division as a meaningless math procedure. Am I backpedaling now in response to readers' comments?