Waterford

FEBRUARY 16, 2024

February marks Black History Month, a dedicated observance of the achievements, heritage, and contributions of Black Americans. It can also be an opportunity to find resources to integrate Black history into your curriculum throughout the year. In this article, we’ll talk about the connection between Black History Month and the concept of Windows and Mirrors, a framework that can inform your inclusive curriculum plans.

Elementary 147

Elementary Classroom Resources Education 147

Waterford

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Women’s History Month, observed each March, is a dedicated time to honor the accomplishments, resilience, and contributions of women. For elementary teachers, this month provides an opportunity and a reminder to include women’s history in your year-round curriculum. The significance of Women’s History Month serves as a powerful reminder that women have always been instrumental in shaping societies, breaking barriers, and influencing positive change throughout history.

Elementary 147

Elementary Classroom Study Resources 147

Waterford

JANUARY 10, 2024

Just like family-teacher partnerships , a strong relationship between teachers and administrators is important for ensuring that students have the academic support they need. At the heart of this partnership is trust—something that takes time and conscious effort to build. Trust is not only important for a professional relationship between educators and leadership—it is the cornerstone of a healthy school environment.

Exercises 147

Exercises Policies Survey Strategy 147

Waterford

DECEMBER 7, 2023

In connection with the Science of Reading Virtual Summit , Waterford.org is sharing an article series exploring the science behind how students learn to read and what administrators can do to guide school and classroom strategies. Sign up for the free summit to learn research-based strategies from early education experts, including Julie Christensen, Vice President of Curriculum at Waterford.

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Common Core Study Groups Meeting 130

Waterford

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

In connection with the Science of Reading Virtual Summit , Waterford is sharing an article series exploring the science behind how students learn to read and what administrators can do to guide school and classroom strategies. Sign up for the free summit to learn research-based strategies from early education experts including Julie Christensen, Vice President of Curriculum at Waterford.org.

Training 130

Training Strategy Guidelines Assessment 130

Waterford

OCTOBER 24, 2023

Strengthen Literacy Curriculum with the Science of Reading Join Waterford’s Science of Reading virtual summit to explore how the brain learns to read and get strategies for effective, research-based instruction from literacy expert and Vice President of Curriculum Julie Christensen. Guidance for teachers and administrators is included! Plus, find upcoming and on-demand video series led by early education experts through the Webinar Library , featuring topics chosen with administrators in mind, l

How To 130

How To Strategy Examples Outcomes 130

Waterford

OCTOBER 4, 2023

A guest post by Paul Martinez Inclusive Curriculum Writer & Editor at Waterford.org Research shows that children who see themselves reflected in an affirming manner in school curriculum are more likely to experience academic success[1][2]. We also know that children flourish when presented with a curriculum that helps them understand and explore others’ lives and perspectives[3].

Learning 130

Learning Video Software Meeting 130

Waterford

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

In the United States, ten percent of all students –roughly five million students total–come from multilingual households. Multilingual students speak more than one language and need individualized instruction to develop literacy and communication skills in all of those languages. In addition, multilingual families need access to resources that help them feel welcome in school and engaged with their student’s teacher.

Elementary 147

Elementary Education Libraries Examples 147

Waterford

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

Math and reading are often seen as separate subjects with little crossover between the two—which couldn’t be further from the truth. Practicing math skills can contribute to a student’s literacy development. Likewise, a literacy curriculum can help PreK and early elementary students develop the reading comprehension skills they need to better understand concepts they encounter, including early childhood math concepts.

STEM 147

STEM Elementary Strategy Libraries 147

Waterford

AUGUST 18, 2023

Find Expert-Led Strategies That Work for Your School Visit the Waterford webinars page to learn from educational experts like Candra Morris , Dr. Jenni Torres , Julie Christensen , and others on topics that include: Fostering Family Engagement Teaching with the Science of Reading Understanding the Six Literacy Strands And more! When families play an active role in their child’s education, students feel more confident and academic achievement improves on a schoolwide level.

Strategy 130

Strategy eBook Secondary Analysis 130

Waterford

AUGUST 22, 2023

When putting together lesson plans for the upcoming school year, it can be tempting to dive into reading and math curriculum from day one. There’s always so much to get through, and time seems in short supply. However, it’s worth making time for fun student back-to-school activities in your elementary classroom. If students can connect with their peers early in the school year, those positive relationships can make a world of difference throughout the year.

Elementary 264

Elementary Classroom Groups STEM 264

Waterford

JULY 30, 2023

Want to maximize family engagement in your schools? Check out Waterford’s on-demand webinar page and learn how to implement CARES, a framework for inclusive family communication, genuine relationships, clear and flexible expectations, and concrete support, in your schools. Teamwork makes the dream work. Your school’s team consists of your students, school administrators, teachers, and other faculty and support staff.

How To 259

How To Strategy Survey Training 259

Waterford

JULY 21, 2023

Candra Morris is the Vice President of Professional Learning here at Waterford.org. She recently sat down with us to talk about family engagement, student success, and building relationships. We like to say she wrote the book on family engagement in schools—because she did! What makes you so passionate about family engagement in education? Candra: I think I’m just naturally passionate about it.

Education 245

Education Classroom Strategy Survey 245

Waterford

JULY 6, 2023

Find Expert-Led Strategies That Work for Your School Visit the Waterford webinars page to learn from educational experts like Candra Morris, Dr. Jenni Torres, Julie Christensen, and others on topics that include: Fostering Family Engagement Teaching with the Science of Reading Understanding the Six Literacy Strands And more! Both educators and families share a common goal: to provide strong support for students!

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Meeting Accessibility Survey System 100

Waterford

JULY 12, 2023

Use Expert-Led Communication Strategies to Engage the Families in Your District Check out Waterford’s on-demand webinars , including “ Driving Impactful Family Engagement with CARES ,” and learn how you can build a school environment that values families and advises teachers as they connect and collaborate with families. Regular family-teacher communication is a meaningful step to long-term family engagement.

Examples 250

Examples Conference Survey Strategy 250

Waterford

JULY 18, 2023

Learn Effective Family Engagement Strategies from the Experts Check out Waterford’s on-demand webinars , including “ Driving Impactful Family Engagement with CARES ,” and learn key strategies from the experts on how to build a school environment that values families and how to advise teachers along the way. One of the best ways to promote positive learning outcomes on an individual and school-wide level is involving families in their child’s educational journey.

How To 130

How To Conference Strategy eBook 130

Waterford

JULY 12, 2023

Use Expert-Led Communication Strategies to Engage the Families in Your District Check out Waterford’s on-demand webinars , including “ Driving Impactful Family Engagement with CARES ,” and learn how you can build a school environment that values families and advises teachers as they connect and collaborate with families. Regular family-teacher communication is a meaningful step to long-term family engagement.

Examples 130

Examples Conference Survey Strategy 130

Waterford

JULY 6, 2023

Find Expert-Led Strategies That Work for Your School Visit the Waterford webinars page to learn from educational experts like Candra Morris, Dr. Jenni Torres, Julie Christensen, and others on topics that include: Fostering Family Engagement Teaching with the Science of Reading Understanding the Six Literacy Strands And more! Both educators and families share a common goal: to provide strong support for students!

Meeting 130

Meeting Accessibility Survey System 130

Waterford

JUNE 26, 2023

Find Expert-Led Strategies That Work for Your School Visit the Waterford webinars page to learn from educational experts like Candra Morris, Dr. Jenni Torres, Julie Christensen, and others on topics that include: Fostering Family Engagement Teaching with the Science of Reading Understanding the Six Literacy Strands And more! On both the classroom and schoolwide level, family involvement in education can make a profound difference in early learning outcomes.

Strategy 130

Strategy Meeting Training Classroom 130

Waterford

APRIL 12, 2023

Time and time again, studies show that students who learn to love reading are more likely to develop strong reading skills—not the other way around. Libraries can be powerful tools—in your classroom, school, and community—to encourage a love of reading and engage students in learning. Read on to learn about the benefits of classroom libraries and how to build and organize your own.

Libraries 130

Libraries Classroom Elementary How To 130

Waterford

APRIL 15, 2023

Children benefit from two types of stories in their lives. They need “mirror” stories that reflect their own experiences, which lead to a sense of belonging in their classroom and communities. They also need “window” stories that let them peek into lives and experiences that may be different from their own, which help students develop empathy and broaden their perspectives.

Classroom 245

Classroom STEM Resources Examples 245

Waterford

JANUARY 5, 2023

Books are an excellent way to help children connect more deeply to science, technology, engineering, and math (or STEM) concepts they are learning in class. Plus, they practice reading skills as they strengthen STEM connections! These STEM books make great read-alouds and independent reading book choices for children at home or in the classroom. Educators can also add these books to classroom and school libraries.

STEM 264

STEM Libraries Elementary Classroom 264

Waterford

NOVEMBER 10, 2022

Written by Marika Ismail. Director of Inclusive Curriculum at Waterford.org. My 4-year-old son Niko recently started transitional kindergarten at our local elementary school. It’s been a rough time for us, with a few tears. Some days he tells me he’s scared and misses his friends from preschool. During the first weeks of school, Niko and I listened to “ Make New Friends ,” a song from Waterford’s new Sing Around the World series , in the car and at home.

Training 246

Training Examples Elementary Classroom 246

Waterford

OCTOBER 24, 2022

Maintaining the attention of an entire class can often be a challenge. The brains of children are still developing, making their attention spans much shorter than those of adults. Rather than letting that be a problem, you can structure your lesson plans based on your knowledge of the average student’s attention span and use specific strategies to keep them focused during learning time.

How To 246

How To Elementary Strategy Classroom 246

Waterford

AUGUST 9, 2022

The first day of school is right around the corner! Creating a positive classroom experience for your students can shape the rest of their academic year. By preparing in advance, you can help your students return to school excited and ready to learn. So, how do you make the most of the first days of school? Check out these tips for starting the school year right, from preparing for the first day of school to planning the perfect back to school night.

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How To Classroom Exercises Examples 130

Waterford

JULY 25, 2022

The first day of school is right around the corner! Students aren’t the only one who feel jitters during back to school season. Teachers and families alike both anticipate and dread the end of summer break. If this is you, you’re not alone. These weeks leading up to and following a student’s return to school, however, can shape the rest of their academic year.

How To 246

How To Classroom Strategy Meeting 246

Waterford

JULY 21, 2022

One of the best ways to set up students for lifelong success is by involving their families in their educational journey. When family involvement is a priority in class, student achievement, self-confidence, and motivation all improve.[1,2]. Family engagement is most effective when it’s encouraged earlier in the year.[3] If you prioritize connecting with families during the back to school season, you’ll be in a better position to create an engaged school.

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How To Conference Meeting Secondary 240

Waterford

JULY 20, 2022

Want More Science of Reading? Check out our seven-part Science of Reading webinar series. Download sessions here to explore how the brain learns to read and get tips for effective, researched-based classroom instruction. The human brain is pre-wired for speech, but learning to read always involves explicit instruction.[1] “Learning to read requires several years of intentional instruction,” explains Waterford Director of Curriculum Julie Christensen.[2] And the earlier that children are introduc

Elementary 130

Elementary Accessibility Classroom Data 130

Waterford

JULY 7, 2022

What is one of the proven predictors of academic achievement? Studies show that a family’s engagement has a direct positive impact on a child’s learning success. When families are engaged in their children’s school lives, students have the home support they need to develop a lifelong love of learning. Encouraging family engagement is more than common courtesy.

Secondary 359

Secondary Elementary Strategy Analysis 359

Waterford

JULY 7, 2022

Windows offer new views, while mirrors offer reflections. This metaphor is the heart of the Windows and Mirrors learning framework, which recognizes the importance of both perspectives. When planning lessons or choosing books for your classroom library , it’s important to include stories that both reflect the experiences of your students and provide them with insights into the experiences of others.

Libraries 246

Libraries Classroom Report Resources 246

Waterford

MAY 31, 2022

Understanding the science of how children learn to read is a necessary component for creating well-rounded classroom instruction. Cognitive psychologists, neuroscientists, and education experts have studied literacy development for decades, creating a wealth of data for educators. One of the most well-known, concise, and grounded literacy models is the Simple View of Reading, a framework that divides core reading proficiencies into two major categories.

Elementary 246

Elementary Strategy Classroom Data 246

Waterford

MAY 11, 2022

The key to lasting success in school is teaching academic skills as soon as a child is ready to learn. But how do we know when they’re ready? Is it ever too early to instill a love of reading ? When Do Children Learn to Read? While most children begin reading in kindergarten or first grade, learning to read isn’t as simple as picking up a book. Children don’t and learn to decode letters, words, and sentences without help or preparation.

Learning 264

Learning Libraries Elementary Examples 264

Waterford

MAY 3, 2022

Building a school or classroom library can be difficult, especially if your school’s funding is low. Before you spend your own money on books, look into organizations that provide teachers with free classroom books. Many of these programs are open specifically to educators from schools with a demonstrated need to improve literacy access. If you’re wondering how to get free books for your classroom, check out these eight educational programs.

Libraries 246

Libraries How To Classroom Meeting 246

Waterford

MARCH 10, 2022

Want More Science of Reading? Check out our seven-part Science of Reading webinar series. Download sessions here to explore how the brain learns to read and get tips for effective, researched-based classroom instruction. Find out how a student’s reading development is strongly related to their speaking, listening, and writing skills. Then, discover helpful strategies for teaching these communication skills in the classroom.

Classroom 246

Classroom Elementary Strategy Report 246

Waterford

MARCH 6, 2022

Want More Science of Reading? Check out our seven-part Science of Reading webinar series. Download sessions here to explore how the brain learns to read and get tips for effective, researched-based classroom instruction. In this article, you’ll discover the essentials of instruction in language concepts, a set of skills that support the development of reading comprehension.

How To 246

How To Libraries Strategy Examples 246

Waterford

FEBRUARY 10, 2022

Want More Science of Reading? Check out our seven-part Science of Reading webinar series. Explore how the brain learns to read and get tips for effective, researched-based classroom instruction. Download previous recordings or register for our next session here. We’d love to see you there! In this article, we will examine the building blocks of reading comprehension.

Strategy 246

Strategy Classroom Elementary Assessment 246

Waterford

FEBRUARY 3, 2022

Want More Science of Reading? Check out our seven-part Science of Reading webinar series. Learn how the brain learns to read and get tips for effective, researched-based classroom instruction. Download previous recordings or register for our next session here. We’d love to see you there! Let’s explore reading fluency, an important foundation for reading comprehension.

Classroom 246

Classroom Strategy Elementary Assessment 246