A Heinemann blog for curious educators.
Struggling as a model for students shows it's okay not to have the 'right' answer. How to model uncertainty and lean into AI for substitute plans.
March 26, 2026
The question is not “to do AI or not to do AI”; the question is how and why and when are we choosing to use AI as teachers, or helping our students know how and why and when to use it. Read on for the conversation between Anita Charles and a student.
March 24, 2026
Teachers often feel beholden to the delivery methods and structures placed in front of them. Finding alternative, creative, and engaging ways to meet standards requires personal risk and vulnerability, but is worth the payoff.
March 16, 2026
On tests, students may encounter unfamiliar academic vocabulary in questions, face text structures they haven't learned to navigate, or need to cite evidence in ways they haven't been explicitly taught. But these are teachable skills!
March 11, 2026
5 moves teachers can make before, during, and after reading. The focus should be preparing students to read with purpose, and make meaning through discussion and reflective questions.
March 9, 2026
When we become fixated on “catching” kids cheating with AI, things go downhill fast. Instead, design meaningful work, co-create clear guidance, encourage honesty, and model understanding not fear.
March 4, 2026
When summer math programs are focused, supportive, and thoughtfully designed, they become powerful opportunities for growth.
March 3, 2026
Even if you think you're not a math person, you're doing it every day. Quit running yourself down. We do not need to pass these insecurities on to the next generation. Why not teach students that they, like you, are indeed mathematicians already?
February 27, 2026
School personnel who are developing cell phone bans should be asking questions about the processes being implemented. What is the purpose of cell phone bans in schools? How do they lend themselves to situation modification?
February 25, 2026
As educators, we can teach self-awareness, but to help students truly understand these skills, we must first practice self-awareness ourselves. Students who are self-aware can identify their personal strengths and opportunities to learn and grow.
February 23, 2026
When fluency is integrated with phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing, students learn to read efficiently and thoughtfully across contexts.
February 19, 2026
With thoughtful planning, writing workshops can thrive in any classroom, even when time is tight.
February 17, 2026
Heinemann today announced that Saxon Reading Foundations has been recognized by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) as meeting the state’s mandatory requirements for high-quality literacy intervention materials.
February 13, 2026
How do I lead effective small group instruction? How do I make reading and writing small group instruction work?
February 11, 2026
Writing workshop is a journey. Each unit, conversation, and shared moment adds to your understanding of what your writers need and how best to support them.
February 10, 2026
7 illustrations and invitations to get your readers talking about books.
February 9, 2026
Learn how to teach phonics effectively within a comprehensive literacy approach, including research-based practices, classroom routines, and practical tips.
February 6, 2026
Effective math instruction balances research-based practice with innovative tools that help students explore, discuss, and make sense of new ideas.
February 4, 2026
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