Great Minds

Why does math proficiency drop right at the transition to middle school, and what can we do about it? Join us on June 16 for a free edWebinar exploring the often-overlooked representational gap that emerges as students move from concrete and visual models to more abstract mathematical thinking. Secure your spot today: https://gmgre.at/49KMOc5

“There’s not been as much discourse about discourse.” In this episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, Great Minds CEO John White joins Hayley Spira-Bauer for a wide-ranging conversation covering his leadership experience as Louisiana’s former state superintendent to improving student learning in schools around the country as CEO. The conversation also focused on the impact of pairing high-quality instructional materials with accountability and the importance of student discourse in today’s classrooms. Listen to the full episode here: https://ow.ly/jjPX50Z7NWJ

“It was that moment that clearly illustrated for me the value of instructional coherence and sparked the idea of building momentum for English language learners by frontloading material they would see later in the day, or the next day, in the general education classroom.” Sarah Webb, Senior Director of Humanities at Great Minds, shares her “aha” moment on why coherence in literacy instruction matters, especially for multilingual learners, in this article.   After reading, we’d love for you to share what stood out to you the most.  

How do you teach math to students who are still learning English? The answer isn't to wait. It's to teach with strategies that help them access the content. Our very own Stacy Fitzwater Domingo recently visited classrooms at San Tan Heights Elementary in Arizona, a school that's successfully promoting mathematical understanding among their multilingual students. Here's a look at five tried-and-true strategies she observed: • Take an asset-based approach to instruction • Pre-teach common math vocabulary and sentence structures • Use consistent mathematical routines • Make word problems relatable and readable • Think beyond the standard algorithm When teachers make language an intentional part of math instruction, they don’t just help multilingual learners grasp mathematical content—they nurture confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging that carries across all subjects. Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/aGZC50Z6JVC

“It was that moment that clearly illustrated for me the value of instructional coherence and sparked the idea of building momentum for English language learners by frontloading material they would see later in the day, or the next day, in the general education classroom.” Sarah Webb, Senior Director of Humanities at Great Minds, shares her “aha” moment on why coherence in literacy instruction matters, especially for multilingual learners, in this article.   After reading, we’d love for you to share what stood out to you the most.  

Have you tried these Great Minds features yet? We know your priority is your students and all the important work happening in your classroom. To help your day run as smoothly as possible, these features were created with you and your students in mind.

Congratulations to the districts featured in the Center for Public Research and Leadership's latest report for embracing high-quality, research-backed curriculum and prioritizing professional learning.🎉📈 Your thoughtful approach and commitment to student achievement are helping to close learning gaps and create more opportunities for all learners. Read the full report here: https://ow.ly/4XS150Z3eU5

America’s students are facing the steepest learning crisis in a generation, with our most vulnerable learners falling further behind. Still, innovative leaders and committed educators are working to close the gap and build a brighter future. Join our CEO, John White, alongside Thomas Kane and Christina Grant, for a live GSVtv conversation moderated by Deborah Quazzo. They’ll dive into the latest data exploring the likely causes of the declines, what true recovery requires, and how some districts and states are turning the tide. RSVP here: https://hubs.li/Q04h8SMS0 Let us know if you’ll be tuning in!

What if every student and every teacher had the tools and support they needed to succeed? In the latest episode of the Learning Can't Wait podcast by Fullmind, Great Minds CEO John White sits down with Hayley Spira-Bauer to explore how pairing high-quality, research-backed curriculum with consistent expectations and strong accountability can transform teaching and learning and improve student outcomes. Listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ghXkcsNY

Florida math educators: your summer just got more valuable. ⭐️ The Florida Math Educators Virtual Summit is coming June 16–17, and it's completely free. Two days. 20+ Florida-specific sessions. Content built around B.E.S.T. Standards, instructional practice, and leadership strategies — designed for classroom teachers and school leaders alike. No travel. No cost. Just great PD. Register and build your schedule: https://lnkd.in/eH26gMSJ Great Minds