Reading Between
the Subjects
the Subjects
A CLC tool that we use to check for understanding
What is the Learning Snapshot?
The LSS monitors the understanding of the skill being taught throughout the lesson.
This quick, informal assessment is handed in at the end of class to help teachers gauge student understanding before they leave the room.
What is an Exit Ticket?
We use these to identify low-performing skills, and teachers can design lessons that remediate those skills through bell ringers and exit tickets aligned to the learning targets.
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What are MAP, IXL, and SIRIUS?
These posters contain the main ideas, strategies, or processes for students to reference during and after the lesson.
What are Anchor Charts?
This student-friendly statement often describes exactly what a student is expected to know or be able to do by the end of a lesson.
What is a Learning Target?
The most rigorous level of thinking requires students to go beyond the text to hypothesize, judge, or predict outcomes in new situations.
What is critical thinking?
The ability to analyze and evaluate information objectively to form a reasoned judgment, rather than just memorizing facts. It is often described as "thinking about your own thinking" to improve its quality and avoid bias.
These visual or auditory tools are used to manage transitions, pace activities, and keep both students and teachers on track during a lesson.
What are Timers?
Clues:
-A Supplemental Intervention Resource
-STAAR-based
What is a Sirius?
This high-level planning document outlines exactly what content will be covered (the breadth) and the order in which it will be taught throughout the school year.
What is Scope and Sequence?
The process of teaching several lessons at one time
What are Learning Stations?
Learning Stations encourages cooperation between students, learning, and helping each other.
The most impactful reading strategy that can be used in all content areas
What is QVCS?
Question
Visualize
Comment/Connect
Summarize
Usually posted on the board, this outline provides students with a roadmap of the day's activities, objectives, and upcoming deadlines.
What is a Class Agenda?
This equal-interval scale is used by NWEA MAP Growth assessments to measure a student's academic progress regardless of their grade level.
What is a RIT Score?
These tools allow teachers and students to visualize progress over time, helping to identify growth targets and gaps in learning...
What are Data Trackers?
This personalized educational document allows students to record their thoughts, reflections, answers, and questions about the material they are studying.
What is a Learning Log?
This cross-curricular strategy involves using a common set of academic sentence starters across all subjects to help students articulate their reasoning.
What are Accountable Talk Stems?
Often used during class discussions to help students formulate their thoughts and reasoning...
This short activity is completed immediately upon entering the classroom to settle students and activate prior knowledge while the teacher takes attendance.
What is a Bell Ringer?
This IXL teacher feature allows you to see student progress and skill gaps.
What is IXL Analytics / Report?
These targeted activities and review materials are designed to help students master the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) before the state assessment.
What is STAAR Prep? Bootcamp?
Your STAAR Bootcamp/STAAR Countdown plans should begin after Spring Break...
This instructional framework shifts responsibility for learning from the teacher to the student.
What are Gradual Release Lessons?
Often summarized as "I do, We do, You do,"
Supports that assist in closing the gap between students’ current academic ability and grade level expectations!
What are academic strategies?
This proactive management style uses active learning techniques and high student participation to naturally reduce off-task behaviors.
What is Engaged Instruction?
Used on the IXL platform, this adaptive algorithm measures true mastery by looking at accuracy, consistency, and question difficulty rather than a simple percentage.
What is a Smart Score?
This lead4ward resource provides teachers with a collection of low-prep, high-yield strategies—like "Texas Two-Step"—to increase student engagement.
What is an Instructional Playlist?
These documents provide teachers with a step-by-step "playbook" for each lesson, including scripted questions, timing, and specific student tasks.
What are Daily Instructional Guides?