Category Archives: Educational Change

Culturally Inclusive Teaching and Learning

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Beyond The Apple

A culturally inclusive classroom recognises that identity is complex and multi layered and encompasses race, gender and gender identity, socio-economic status, sexual identity, ethnicity, and religion.As we build culturally inclusive classrooms we need to be mindful about shifting from: – … Continue reading →

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Rethinking Alphabet Charts

Posted on June 15, 2018 by Beyond The Apple

Take a look at a few alphabet charts online. Now think about the children you know—do they have the experiences or language background needed to connect each letter with the picture shown? Often, they don’t. Creating a truly “universal” alphabet … Continue reading →

When Students Think They Can’t Read

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Beyond The Apple

We share the following script, taken from a teacher’s real experience, as a discussion starter about high school students who see themselves as non-readers. As you and your professional colleagues read “I Can’t Read” (or maybe ask some colleagues to … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational Change | Tagged adult literacy, disengaged students, high school literacy, Kirk Johnson, known to new, relationships, Struggling readers | 3 Comments

Appreciative Inquiry: Beyond the Apple’s Applications for Education

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Beyond The Apple

There’s a lot of interest in Appreciative Inquiry and its application for educational change. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) was designed by David Cooperrider as a strategic planning tool; its applications in an educational setting are creating a lot of excitement. Here’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational Change | Tagged AI in education, appreciative inquiry and assessment, appreciative inquiry and educational change, appreciative inquiry in the classroom, David Cooperrider, Educational Change, Growth Mindset, Sarah Lewis, school wellbeing initiative, Todd Conkrite appreciate inquiry | 2 Comments

Effective Listening, the key to success in a professional learning community.

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Beyond The Apple

The success of a professional learning community is heavily influenced by how effectively the participants communicate with each other. Clearly, this is obvious, but what’s not obvious is that it’s not only how we speak to each other, it’s how … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational Change | Tagged Delmar Hatesohl listening, dick Lee listening, Effective Listening, Eugene Raudsepp listening, Karen Engels Listening, listening, listening and professional conversations, listening in the classroom, PLS and listening, professioanl learning communities, Ralph Nicols listening, Torraine listening | 1 Comment

Re-igniting professional learning with a challenge to think

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Beyond The Apple

The first 10-15 minutes of any professional learning session provide an opportunity to set the stage for thinking, wondering, and sharing. Before you jump into the content, grease the participants’ thinking cogs by demonstrating a discrepant event. Here’s an example … Continue reading →

Posted in Educational Change | Tagged ambiguous images, discrepant events, PLCs, professional development, professional learning communties, Steve Spengler science, teacher PD, thinking | 1 Comment