Title: How Learning Happens | Edutopia
Headings: How Learning Happens
How Learning Happens
Bringing the Science of Learning Into Classrooms
The Science of Learning and Development
Getting Started With Trauma-Informed Practices
Learning Opportunities in Out-of-School Time
Connecting School and Afterschool With Shared Practices
Bringing Core Content to Life With Outdoor Education
Scaffolding Academics With Social and Emotional Skills in the Afterschool Space
Using Athletics to Teach Social and Emotional Skills
Building Adult Capacity for Social and Emotional Learning
Engaging Families With Social and Emotional Learning Strategies
Showing a Path to the Future Through Role Models
Building a Belonging Classroom
Fostering Belonging With Classroom Norms
Boosting Engagement With Notices and Wonders
Encouraging Academic Conversations With Talk Moves
Elevating Student Voice Through Senior Talks
Celebrating Cultural Identity Through the Arts
The Power of Relationships in Schools
Making Connections With Greetings at the Door
Cultivating Trust With One-on-One Time
Knowing Every Child Through Index Card Rosters
Inviting Participation With Thumbs-Up Responses
Motivating Students With Book Choice
Developing Confidence Through Delayed Grading
Scaffolding Discussion Skills With a Socratic Circle
Learning Problem Solving and Growth Mindset in a Makerspace
Teaching Self-Regulation by Modeling
Developing Executive Function With Priority Lists
Developing Agency With Student-Led Conferences
Creating a Positive Learning Environment
Moving From the Comfort Zone to the Challenge Zone
Demonstrating Self-Regulation With Tone of Voice
Activating the Brain With Movement Breaks
Getting Ready to Learn With Mindfulness

Content: Teacher Collaboration
Knowing Every Child Through Index Card Rosters
By regularly reviewing students’ behavior and learning as a team, teachers can ensure that every student is seen, supported, and celebrated. Building Academic Confidence
Teaching Strategies
Inviting Participation With Thumbs-Up Responses
A quick assessment strategy replaces raised hands, encouraging more students to contribute by accommodating their different processing needs. Literacy
Motivating Students With Book Choice
Letting students choose books to read helps them develop a sense of autonomy and ownership over their learning. Assessment
Developing Confidence Through Delayed Grading
Giving students time to explore ideas with no immediate grade pressure helps motivate them to be creative and take intellectual risks. Communication Skills
Scaffolding Discussion Skills With a Socratic Circle
Students deepen their understanding and build a sense of community by engaging with their peers’ reasoned arguments. Developing Foundational Skills
Maker Education
Learning Problem Solving and Growth Mindset in a Makerspace
Makerspaces build students’ cognitive abilities while fostering independence, perseverance, and self-regulation. Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Teaching Self-Regulation by Modeling
When teachers explicitly recognize and respond to their emotions in class, students learn to engage in these processes themselves. Brain-Based Learning
Developing Executive Function With Priority Lists
Explicitly modeling the process of prioritizing tasks builds students’ ability to organize and manage their time. Student Voice
Developing Agency With Student-Led Conferences
When students lead meetings with their parents and teachers, they gain a voice in their education and develop skills like goal-setting and metacognition. Establishing Positive Conditions for Learning
Mental Health
Creating a Positive Learning Environment
When students’ mental, emotional, and physical needs are met, they’re more likely to love school—and they learn more.