The Balance, by Dr. Catlin Tucker

The Power of Pre-assessment to Design with Intention

In this mini-episode, I explore the role of pre-assessment data in designing with a high-level of intention. Incorporating pre-assessment strategies isn't just about collecting data; it’s about creating a responsive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment.

Eduprotocols for Littles with Ben Cogswell and Jenn Dean

In this episode, I chat with Ben and Jenn about their new book, Eduprotocol Field Guide: Elementary Edition. We explore how these lesson frames empower young learners to build confidence and skills, while also providing educators with strategies to achieve balance in their professional lives.

Ask Catlin: The Playlist Model

In this Ask Catlin episode, I answer your questions about the playlist model. So, if you have ever wondered how a playlist is different from a choice board, how long students should work on a playlist, or how to track student progress through a playlist if they are self-pacing, this episode is for you! And find out what Taylor Swift album Catlin would choose to listen to as we transition from spring to summer!

 

Want to read more about this blended learning model? Here is my collection of blogs about the playlist model. 

Updates & A Station Rotation Tip: Using a Checklist to Keep Kids on Task

In this mini-episode, I share some exciting professional and personal updates and describe a simple yet effective strategy for keeping students on-task during a station rotation lesson. Instead of assigning a "deliverable" at every station that teachers feel they need to grade, let's explore a checklist that asks students to reflect on their work at each station. Not only does it help students stay focused, but it provides valuable formative assessment data!

The Leader's Algorithm with Pablo Muñoz

In this episode, I chat with Pablo Muñoz about his career and book, The Leader's Algorithm. He has 30 years of public education experience as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent of schools. He shares his insights on leading complex educational systems. 

 

You can connect with Pablo Muñoz and learn more about his work.

pablo@themunozcompany.com

themunozcompany.com

themunozcompany.com/pablo-munoz

themunozcompany.com/the-leaders-algorithm

linkedin.com/in/pablo-muñoz-b30b2ab1

Cultivating Student-led Meaning-Making in Classrooms

In this mini-episode, I explore the value and process of cultivating meaning-making in classrooms. Meaning-making is the process by which students interpret, understand, and make sense of the information, experiences, and world around them. In this episode, I share strategies teachers can use to help students construct knowledge on their own and in collaboration with peers. 

To read more, check out my blog on this topic. 

Here is Judy Willis's article "Understanding How the Brain Thinks" that I reference in this episode. 

[ReAir] The Shift to Student-led with Dr. Katie Novak

[ReAir] In this episode, Dr. Katie Novak and I discuss our newest book, The Shift to Student-led. In it, we identify ten teacher-led, time-consuming, often frustratingly ineffective workflows and reimagine them from a sustainable, student-led perspective using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning. The goal is to help teachers empower students to share the responsibility for learning so they can create more balance in their lives!

Designing a Station Rotation: Go Horizontal with Your Agenda

In this mini-episode, I share a strategy I call "going horizontal with your agenda." The purpose of this strategy is to help teachers conceptualize how they can shift from a linear whole-group lesson to a station rotation. The goal is to reimagine the individual learning activities in their linear agenda as separate stations in a rotation. 

 

Part I: Station Rotation Design Tip – Go Horizontal with Your Linear Agenda

Part II: Station Rotation Design Tip – Use AI to Go Horizontal with Your Linear Agenda

Excerpt from Shift Writing into the Classroom

In this mini-episode, I read excerpts from the introduction of my new book, Shift Writing into the Classroom with UDL and Blended Learning. In this excerpt, I explain why Dr. Novak and I wrote it, who the book is for, and how it is structured so you know what to expect.

I hope this sneak peek into the book helps to dispel the misconception that a book on writing is only for English teachers. We want to help ALL teachers leverage writing as a powerful vehicle for learning in their subject areas.

Developing the Skill of Learning with James Anderson

In this episode, I talk with James Anderson about his new book, Learnership. James coined the word "learnership" to bring together the idea of craftsmanship and learning. He makes the point that learning is not simply a product of good teaching; learning is the result of what learners do. In this conversation, we discuss Jame's growth mindset continuum, student agency, and how we can support students in developing the skills of learning. 

 

Connect with James Anderson on X @MindfulByDesign

Connect with James Anderson on LinkedIn