Educators can bring current events into classroom discussions in ways that are authentic and fit with the curriculum students are already studying, writes columnist Matthew R. Kay. 

Classroom Conversations / Curating "Hot-Button" Conversations

Matthew R. Kay

High School

Curating "Hot-Button" Conversations (header)

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Curating "Hot-Button" Conversations

Student engagement and motivation

Listening and speaking

Critical thinking

Student Voice

Communication

Social Justice

Teacher

Instructional Strategies

Curriculum

There are several underrated habits that increase novice teachers’ potential to navigate classroom discussions. Matthew Kay discusses what drives student teachers’ motivation and meaningful connections with students, which in turn helps learners to engage. 

Classroom Conversations / Student Teacher Standouts

Classroom Conversations / Student Teacher Standouts (header)

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School climate and culture

Teacher engagement and motivation

Teacher evaluation

Teacher leadership

New teachers

Feedback

Discussions

Engagement

Fostering foundational listening skills has a host of benefits for students and teachers. Matthew R. Kay explains instructional shifts that will intentionally encourage students to pay active attention to their classmates in discussions. 

Classroom Conversations / Listen Up! A Strategy for Student Discussions

Listen Up! A Strategy for Student Discussions (header)

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Listen Up! A Strategy for Student Discussions

Social-emotional learning

Classroom Management

Equity doesn’t always mean all students should get equal speaking time. Instead, educators should tip the scales to make sure those with firsthand experience of an issue are heard loud and clear. 

Classroom Conversations / Balancing Participation

Classroom Conversations / Balancing Participation (thumbnail)

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Classroom Conversations Balancing Participation

Instructional leadership

Professional development / learning

School and district leadership

School improvement and reform

Whole Child

Engaged (whole child)

Supported (whole child)

Equity

How educators can help students resist reactionary propaganda on social media

Cultural competency

Race

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Our House, Our Rules: We Must Have Teachers’ backs as They Teach for Equity

Teacher diversity

Leadership and Management

Leadership strategies and support

Our House, Our Rules: We Must Have Teachers’ backs as They Teach for Equity Thumbnail

Our house, our rules-We must have teachers’ backs as they teach for equity

Leadership

School Culture

Finding the courage to be specific about systemic racism in education

Opportunity gaps

Standardized testing

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Assessment

Digging Deeper into School Racial Conversations

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Digging deeper into school racial conversations

Professional Learning

Author

Matthew Kay thumbnail

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Matthew R. Kay

About

Expertise

Articles by Matthew R.