Remember the show, are you smarter than a 5th grader? In the same nature of the show, I recently posted to see if people could figure out the below mathematical problem. (you can see the post here to see the results). 

It turned out to be a bit of a trick question—but it worked just as planned. Designed as a classroom opener, the question isn’t about finding a right answer. Instead, it’s meant to spark conversation, break down barriers, and create a space where every student feels ready to jump into the math lesson, open and engaged. This activity is just one small example of the strategies you’ll find in my latest book, Universal Design for Learning in Mathematics Instruction K-5. I hope it inspires you to explore new approaches and dive into the research and insights we share. If I’ve piqued your interest, you can order your copy now! More details, the book club guide, and group ordering info can be found here. 

 🔊 Something to Listen to:

If you're familiar with John Hattie’s research on visible learning, you know that collective teacher efficacy has a huge impact on student achievement. With an effect size of 1.57—equivalent to nearly four years of growth—it’s one of the most powerful influences in education. While we know it’s effective, achieving it can be challenging. In episode 18 of The Education Table Podcast, I share concrete ways to increase teacher efficacy with Universal Design for Learning. Listen in. 

📺 Something to Watch:

Every educator should watch this reel: Lou Chandler, a disability advocate with autism, shares the simple yet profound 'exploding bottle' analogy to explain autistic meltdowns.

🛠️ Something to Do:

Picture this: You’re handed a curriculum and expected to teach it exactly as written—using the materials, suggested strategies, pacing, and sequence as outlined. And you’re also supposed to implement UDL to make the curriculum accessible for all students. Sounds like a lot, right?

Good news! Using high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) with integrity doesn’t mean you have to teach like a robot. There are concrete things you can DO to honor the curriculum AND incorporate flexibility for students. The key is… (watch the video to find out!)

LinkedIn recently released its inaugural Work Change Snapshot report, revealing that globally, over 10% of today’s job titles didn’t exist in 2000. We’re preparing students for a future we can’t fully predict, so it’s essential to develop skills to support their success in any path they choose. How? By fostering learner agency, empowering students to understand how they learn best, and creating supportive environments where they feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and embrace the unknown

My son Boden, who's in 4th grade, spotted the butcher paper on the table while we were out to dinner and took it as the perfect chance to lead a math lesson. He suggested we skip our usual tic-tac-toe and play his own version of 'Which One Doesn’t Belong'—completely unprompted. I decided Triangle Tom didn’t belong since he was the only one with three faces!