INSIGHTS & IDEAS

The Education Table Blog

Practical strategies, research, and perspectives from the Novak Education team to help educators strengthen instruction, leadership, and inclusive systems.

EL Learners in the classroom
Universal Design for Learning

Enhance English Learner Success with UDL

Today’s classrooms are enriched by multicultural backgrounds and language diversity. For educators, fostering academic success in language learners may seem daunting and out of ...
Teresina Ruiz · May 2, 2024
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students on computer and phone
Universal Design for Learning

Bridging Classrooms and Digital Worlds

As educators, we're at a unique crossroads where the traditional classroom meets the digital universe. Our students navigate social media (think YouTube, Snap, TikTok) with ...
Katie Novak · April 18, 2024
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a teacher trying to quiet a noisy classroom
Teaching Methods

How to Quiet a Noisy Classroom

Tried-and-True Techniques to Create a Focused Learning Environment Students are talking, working, or playing, and we need their attention. When I first started teaching, I would ...
Jeff Horwitz · March 31, 2024
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students trying to figure out a problem on the board
Engagement

What is Productive Struggle?

My granddaughter is 2 years old and has hit that phase in her life where she doesn’t want help with a task. She’s fiercely independent and is determined to do things herself. As ...
Tom Thibodeau · March 4, 2024
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students in an ELA classroom
Universal Design for Learning

Improve Your ELA Lesson with UDL

In the face of a literacy crisis, educators and schools are looking to create a more equitable learning experience for all students. Recent news in Oregon highlights the ...
Katie Novak · February 13, 2024
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high school math students
Universal Design for Learning

Increasing Engagement in Math Classrooms

Whenever I meet someone new, and they ask me what I do for work, and I reluctantly (because I know what's about to come) tell them that I'm a math teacher, I am undoubtedly met ...
Blake Mahovic · January 16, 2024
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students sharing their projects - pbl
Engagement

Student-Led Project-Based Learning

As a middle school English teacher, I dedicated two full weeks for students to create life-size puppets based on "The Old Man and the Sea." My students absolutely loved this ...
Katie Novak · December 19, 2023
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