The hottest Instruction Substack posts right now

Blind contour drawing focuses on HOW we draw, not just WHAT we draw.
Blind contour drawing helps connect our eyes and hands, improving drawing skills and teaching us to really SEE.
Blind contour drawing encourages us to let go of expectations and focus on the process of drawing, leading to fun and transformative experiences.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) helps students with their emotions and relationships but it's unclear if it boosts academic performance. Some studies show positive impacts, while others do not.
Different schools use SEL in varied ways, making it tough to gauge its true effectiveness. This inconsistency leads to mixed results in research about SEL's benefits.
There's no strong evidence that SEL reduces the achievement gap or promotes equity in education. More focused studies are needed to really understand SEL's long-term effects.

The lesson today is about drawing upside down to engage the right side of the brain.
By turning drawings upside down, we can tap into our visual and perceptual abilities.
Engaging the right brain can help us see things as they truly are, beyond our analytical understanding.

AI can be a great tool for learning, but we need to be careful how we use it. If schools just add AI to their old ways of teaching, it might lead to shallow learning instead of deeper thinking.
Using technology in classrooms should not mean just giving kids devices without guidance. Schools should teach students how to think critically rather than distracting them with screens.
Some teachers are going back to simple methods, like writing and discussions, to help kids engage more deeply. The goal is to use AI to boost thinking skills, not just for quick answers.

Asset-based approach in teaching focuses on students' strengths rather than their weaknesses.
Understanding students' existing knowledge is crucial for effective learning.
AI may struggle to support asset-based instruction due to its focus on metacognitive learning over content learning.

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In chess, 99% of the game is about taking your opponent's pieces and not hanging your own.
For many players, improvement comes from mastering basic concepts like piece safety rather than advanced strategies.
Efficiency matters, so seek out resources that help you practice and improve on keeping your pieces safe in chess.

Teaching involves guiding students from specifics to generalizations to new applications.
Generalization is key in the learning process, helping students connect knowledge to new situations.
Articulating principles can assist students in making generalizations and promote independent thinking.

When a draft feels rough or disconnected, try retyping it from scratch while looking at the original. This helps improve flow and makes the writing feel more alive.
It’s important to retype even good sentences instead of copy-pasting. This approach helps you reconnect with the text's rhythm and find fresh insights.
If a draft doesn't excite you, it might be better to abandon it. Not every piece needs to be salvaged, and it's okay to move on when something doesn’t resonate.

The post is about learning how to draw anything, specifically designing 200 dragons.
It includes early studies and sketches of dragons, which were part of the author's learning process.
The author encourages the reader to follow their method of learning to draw things and mentions an upcoming dragon-themed book.

In community settings, being specific and giving clear instructions is valuable for members.
Facilitators should guide various aspects such as introductions, participation, and discussion management.
Being bossy in a community setting is about providing direction and adding value without being overbearing.