Root to Fruit — The Sprig Learning Newsletter for Holistic and Equitable Early Learning.
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Navigating Back-to-School Challenges: Improving Reading Strategies for School Leaders
This article is the second installment in a two-part series aimed at assisting education leaders in refining and enhancing existing reading strategies and programs for the upcoming school year. If you missed part 1, Starting Strong: How Educational Leaders Can Transform Reading in Their School, be sure to give it a read, as it offers valuable insights into how to lay the foundation for future reading achievement by addressing all aspects within the system.
This article delves deeper into what to watch for and how to continually enhance the implementation and sustenance of a reading strategy once it has been set into motion.
Starting Strong: How Educational Leaders Can Transform Reading in their School
Starting strong is essential to early reading success. Not only for young learners, but for teachers and administrators as well, where they review what has worked and what can be improved, to create an action plan that will serve them well for the upcoming school year.
This article will help school leaders to optimize early reading resources, engage educators, and implement impactful changes to elevate literacy outcomes.
Improve Student Achievement in Early Learning: Learn from 5 Remarkable Case Studies (Looking At 16 Schools)
At Sprig Learning, our focus lies in finding effective early learning solutions tailored for teachers instructing preK to Grade 3 children.
The mission involves facilitating successful learning experiences by presenting proven strategies that have worked for various schools, families and communities.
Sprig has previously presented stories and themes centered around enhancing early learning in school districts. This article covers successful case studies. It sheds light on 5 compelling case studies derived from 16 different schools across the US.
Each case study is paired with key takeaways, providing valuable insights for both educators and administrators.
5 More Emerging Themes for Success in Early Literacy
Building on this week’s article, 5 Emerging Themes in Improving Early Literacy, Sprig Learning is thrilled to present 5 more of such themes for success in early literacy.
Hopefully, this series has been useful in getting ideas and inspiration for taking on initiatives to improve the quality of early literacy programs in your classrooms and schools.
There are more stories corroborating these themes, or exploring new themes that may be just as useful in rethinking existing literacy initiatives at your school.
Without further ado, here are 5 more emerging themes in improving early literacy. Let’s nurture a generation of confident and enthusiastic readers together!
5 Emerging Themes in Improving Early Literacy
In December of last year, Sprig Learning published 46 Stories of Improving Early Literacy Achievement in Schools. If you haven’t had the chance to read it yet, it is highly recommended. It features 46 amazing stories that offer valuable insights and inspiration for improving literacy in schools and preschools.
Out of the 46 stories, 7 were showcased in the early learning centers/preschool section, while the remaining 39 were highlighted in the school/school districts/school boards section.
Additional stories from past editions of the newsletter have been organized into 5 more themes, each offering valuable insights for early literacy achievement.
The 5 themes are as follows…
Foundational Reading Skills— Their Meaning and Value in Evidence-based Literacy
A lot of the new wave of evidence-based or structured literacy movement is based on the principles of explicitly and systematically teaching all of the foundational skills.
Some common arguments against evidence-based or structured literacy arise from an insufficient understanding of what the foundational skills are, and what each skill entails.
In this blog post, Sprig Learning will explore all of the foundational reading skills that lay the groundwork for early literacy development.
There will be overlaps between certain foundational skills, but we purposefully wanted to list all skills identified in the research to demonstrate the richness of the instructional area that is covered by them.
The Power of Early Childhood Education: 4 Critical Reasons to Prioritize ECE
Sprig Learning creates holistic and inclusive early learning programs for pre-K to Grade 3 students.
Early childhood education is defined by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the National Association for the Education of Young Children as birth to 8 years of age. This corresponds to pre-K to Grade 3 in the education system.
It’s the early years from Pre-K to Grade 3 that is especially critical.
Mastering Time: Essential Elements of an Early Childhood Teacher Schedule
How can educators be better supported in their daily schedules? The essential components of teacher schedules are explored in this article, to suggest areas where help can be accepted. By following a set structure, an educator ensures that they are fitting the best quality education possible in the time they have at the school with their students.
Early Literacy Instruction: The Various Roles & Their Collaboration
From Pre-K to Grade 3, educators, specialists, and support staff collaborate to build strong foundations in early reading and writing.
Sprig has previously written on the need to create the right team of literacy professionals in schools, whose contributions are invaluable to the ultimate reading success of every child in the classroom.
This article in particular, focuses on the literacy aspect of early learning, and how all the different roles work together to increase the likelihood of children reading proficiently by Grade 3, regardless of their circumstances.
From Emergent Literacy To Reading Mastery
Educators play a vital role in guiding students through this transformative process.
By understanding the milestones and implementing effective strategies, more students can become confident and proficient readers.
In this blog, we will delve into the path of emergent literacy to reading mastery, exploring key stages and evidence-based approaches that will take an early learner beginning to show signs of literacy to a proficient reader.
The Heart, the Art, and the Science of Reading
By understanding the true potential of reading success, and exploring the components of Heart, Art and Science, we can establish effective approaches that support reading development.
So, how do we embed the Heart, the Art, and the Science in ways that will help us reach that essential goal of a 90% success rate for our young children?
Let’s examine each component:
Sprig Learning is Selected for Measures for Early Success Initiative to Advance Equitable Early Childhood Assessments!
Sprig Learning is thrilled to announce its participation in the Measures for Early Success initiative led by MDRC with funding support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This groundbreaking initiative envisions a future where early childhood assessments play a crucial role in promoting equitable learning outcomes for all young children.
The Science of Teaching Reading: Effective Reading Assessment, Explicit Reading Instruction and Targeted Reading Intervention
Reading is an essential skill for success for all learners.
Not all students develop reading skills at the same pace, however. Therefore, teachers need to be equipped with the right tools and resources that support all students to receive the right instruction, at the right time, and at the right level.
The science of teaching reading involves effective reading assessments, explicit reading instruction, and targeted reading interventions. In this blog post, we will explore each of these elements and how they can enhance student reading skills.
15 Highly Effective Classroom-based Advice From 15 Structured Literacy Educators (Teachers, Specialists, & Scientists)
Through structured literacy instruction, students who excel in certain areas can naturally advance, while those who struggle in certain areas receive additional instruction and practice, so they do not fall behind and are not left struggling by the time they reach Grade 3.
Teaching reading is both a science and an art, and it is important to learn from experienced early literacy researchers, teachers, specialists, coaches, and interventionists to determine the best practices for effective reading instruction.
This article compiles 15 valuable pieces of advice on how to teach early learners to read from highly experienced literacy specialists, coaches, teachers, and experts.
Evidence-based Early Literacy in the United States [Covers All 50 States. Updated for 2023]
As the new school year begins, teachers, schools, school districts, organizations and governments are looking to improve early literacy scores post-pandemic. Some states across the US have strengthened previous legislative acts, other states have action plans in place to deal with literacy inequity, while others have enacted new laws to increase early reading achievement.
The Interactive Map of Holistic Learning in Canada [Updated for 2023-2024 Education Budgets]
A holistic approach to education is often the answer to many of the challenges faced by school districts and policy makers today. This interactive map of Canada looks at the state of holistic education across the country.
42 Key Figures Today in Early Childhood Education in North America
Early childhood education (ECE) has come a long way. Many important thinkers have left their imprint on how to educate children.
This article is being updated to double the number of key early childhood education influencers who are leaving their mark, from 21 key figures to 42 key figures.
These 42 people have made a difference in ECE and continue to do so.
Hand Puppets for Kids: How They Enhance Early Literacy Development
Puppets have always featured in early literacy playshops, and for good reason, because of their ability to attract and retain attention at an early age.
In this post, Sprig explores the many benefits of using hand puppets with young students to promote early literacy, and offers some tips and tricks for incorporating them into teaching routines.
How to Design Classroom Resources— for Teachers in Early Learning.
Creating effective classroom resources is essential for teachers in early learning. In this article, we will delve into the topic of designing classroom resources that cater to the needs of young students. Originally titled by Chris Hough, Sprig’s remarkable graphic...
6 Amazing Parent Engagement Ideas in Early Education
When parents are involved in their child’s education, they can help create a supportive learning environment that promotes academic success and social-emotional development.
However, finding ways to engage parents in their child’s education can be challenging, especially in a world where parents are busier than ever.
Sprig Learning presents these 6 effective parent engagement ideas that can help schools and teachers build strong partnerships with parents, support their child’s learning, and ultimately improve outcomes in early education.
Need for Oral Language Development in Early Literacy
Studies show that children with unresolved specific language impairment in kindergarten are at a higher risk for reading difficulties, particularly in phonological processing and reading comprehension.
Given the crucial stature of phonological awareness and reading comprehension in evidence-based literacy, mastering oral language early on is key to reading successfully!
Data in the Classroom—Efficient Practices for Growing Classrooms
Education administrators, teachers, and parents have the power to revolutionize the classroom. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the full potential of your students. Read on to learn more about effective data-driven education practices.
A new report by Sprig Learning reveals the power of data in the classroom.
Learn how to harness the wealth of student information available to create a dynamic school culture that prioritizes personalization, supports individual learning styles, and drives positive outcomes.
Traditional Early Years Assessments VS Holistic Assessments
Student assessment is one of the most critical aspects of early learning. So critical in fact, that Sprig has dedicated an article to just assessments in early childhood education. Educators who consistently use formative assessment strategies are shown to double the...
15 Essential Terms in Early Childhood Educational Equity
Researchers, professors, administrators, and practitioners in early childhood education use hundreds of terms that shape the discourse on equity in education, and ultimately lead to policies that drive change.
New words and concepts are constantly emerging, but it can be difficult to understand their meaning and relevance.
It’s important to understand the relevant terms and concepts used in the field of equity in education.
Importance of Cybersecurity in Schools. What you Need to Know.
This article is dedicated to teacher’s use of technology.
The majority of early learners may not use computers, tablets and phones in schools, but their teachers use these devices to manage planning, instructional and assessment data.
Thus it’s very important to understand the importance of cybersecurity in schools.
How to Create High-Quality Head Start Preschools for Early Learning
There are many initiatives to expand accessibility to public Head Start preschools, but such accessibility has to be matched with quality, or there is a risk of perpetuating the cycle of inequity.
In this blog, Sprig argues the case for high-quality preschools, addresses the issue of accessibility, and then gives the indications and characteristics that would be required to create a high-quality public or private early learning program
30 Amazing Early Learning Statistics From 0 to 100!
Early learning, also known as early childhood education, refers to the education a child receives from birth to age 8. Age 8 roughly corresponds to the grade 3 in most school systems.
These early learning statistics, starting from zero, all the way to a hundred, are divided into 10 sections. As statistics can be spun in many different ways, Sprig Learning provides commentary on each number.
2022 Review. Sprig’s Mission to Increase Equity in Early Learning. Innovations. Conversations. New Beginnings.
Sprig is better equipped than ever to address the early learning issues facing schools and districts, particularly those involving literacy disparities in both language and math.
Between every collaborating teacher, team member, and partner organizations, a lot has happened this year. Attempting to summarize it all in one article would not do it justice.
Instead, to give you a sense of what has been going on, we pick a few key moments from the year.
15 Incredible Stories of Revitalizing Indigenous Education
The educational equity section features stories on the gaps between different groups of students due to their own unique circumstances. It highlights stories that speak of this gap, and the efforts that are conceived and actions that are taken to reduce this gap.
In particular, Sprig Learning centers its work around the persistent gaps for Indigenous learners. It is not only additional resources that are often needed to provide high-quality early learning, but support for the autonomy for Indigenous communities to preserve local customs, languages and cultures.
This article presents 15 stories of revitalizing Indigenous education first featured on Root to Fruit, since the beginning of the last school year.
46 Stories of Improving Early Literacy Achievement in Schools
To celebrate the upcoming 30th edition of Root to Fruit on Dec 7th (subscribe today if you want to receive the edition on that day), Sprig has accumulated 46 stories from prior editions to demonstrate what can be done to improve early literacy achievement.
For the benefit of those not subscribed yet, this article is a compilation of all stories on improving early literacy achievement in schools and preschools. It features reading instruction strategies, tactics and action plans that have been considered or instituted by schools and early learning centers.
It is important to note that all of these stories have come from schools or early learning centers, because stories from other stakeholders are also covered in Root to Fruit, which are pertinent to the improvement of early literacy.
5 Hidden Gems for Teaching Reading in Schools
In Sprig’s research thus far, there have been advice and case studies that fell outside the purview of previously written articles. However, these bits of wisdom have shown to be just as successful in closing the early literacy gap.
When these five gems of recommendations listed below were followed, schools and early learning centers were successfully able to surpass student language and literacy learning indicators targets.
How to Help Students with Dyslexia
Regardless of the type and degree of training teachers have received on dyslexia, or their current level of knowledge, it’s never too late to create a more supportive learning experience for dyslexic students.
If you want to understand the basics of dyslexia and see proven characteristics of effective reading programs, do read Sprig’s Improving Reading with Dyslexia.
This article is a follow up to that content, focusing exclusively on how teachers can support students with dyslexia.
Why Guided Play-based Learning in Early Literacy?
Play-based learning is one approach to differentiate learning— something Sprig has covered in a previous article showing how differentiated learning supports all other forms of learning.
Indeed some children may display a greater preference for play.
But by itself, play-based learning as a strategy for the whole classroom is a great way to improve early literacy scores.
Play-based learning supports early literacy development in multiple ways.
The Ideal Online Professional Development for the Reading Teacher
Sprig covered the role of PD in strategic reading instruction in a previous article. It’s essential reading for anyone looking to better understand the linkage between PD and improving early literacy instruction. The article goes into the components of effective PD for reading instruction, its examples and its expectations.
This article will talk about the role of online PD, how it connects with the real purpose of PD, and how such a format can be useful for evidence-based reading instruction.
It makes a case for online professional development being suited to raise student performance because of the advantages it provides to the reading teacher.
Evidence-based Early Literacy Trends and Lessons (With Examples)
The change process is usually preceded and followed by unfreezing and refreezing respectively. If this 2019 report from Education Week is any indication of the viewpoints held by the majority of educators, we are still at the unfreezing stage.
But the blow dealt by the pandemic to the continuity of in-school learning has definitely hastened the need to take action and speed up the change process.
The learning loss that has occurred has grabbed the attention of many school districts and teachers across North America. Some have started to implement practices that are more conducive to evidence-based early literacy.
Nine such evidence-based instruction trends are reviewed in this article, with examples. The lesson learned from each trend is discussed as well.
7 More Actions Schools Can Take Today to Increase Early Literacy Equity
The effort to reduce literacy inequity is a massive undertaking. It’s one that requires multiple actions. The original research conducted to write that piece included more than 10 ideas! Thus, as a part two of the same series, Sprig Learning presents to you, “7 More Actions Schools Can Take Today to Increase Literacy Equity” .
These 7 actions are just as applicable and research-based as those mentioned in the first part of this series. Sprig hopes some of these (if not all), are incorporated into future school improvement plans.
Need for Professional Development in Strategic Reading Instruction
When done right, PD can be a tool for strategic reading instruction.
It can consolidate and further advance the learning gained from teacher preparatory programs on evidence-based instruction.
Furthermore, it can introduce these concepts to teachers who have not heard of them before.
Most importantly, it can provide practical and actionable guidance to teachers by which they can improve reading proficiency for their students.
This article explores the goals of PD for strategic reading instruction and the ideal components of PD. It subsequently discusses the types of PD that are available, and the expectations of a high-quality PD program.
10 Actions Schools Can Take Today to Increase Early Literacy Equity
Creating the right plan and formulating the right strategy are important, but sometimes it helps to review ready-made actionable recommendations to help those students who are in dire need.
What are some things schools can do today to boost reading proficiency scores and accelerate both learning gains and learning recovery? These 10 actions can be implemented by any school to increase literacy equity.
Evidence-Based and Cost-Effective Reading Intervention
When making decisions on education investments, both cost and efficiency must be taken into account. Both factor into the academic ROI, where the idea is to maximize student achievement for a certain sum spent.
There are many studies that explore the impact of educational tools, but the cost-effectiveness of these tools is often overlooked.
Costs include the price tag of such tools, but also the cost of the resources that are required for their successful implementation.
Improving Reading With Dyslexia in Early Literacy
Dyslexia, and other related co-occurring learning disorders like ADHD, can put affected students at a disadvantage. In a diverse classroom, the needs of such students can be overlooked, unless we pledge to take the necessary steps to provide the support they need.
In this article, Sprig covers the basics of dyslexia, and offers tips to improve reading with dyslexia in the early years of education.
Although dyslexia is non-curable, when properly managed, it’s possible for many dyslexic students to be proficient in reading!
How Principals Can Improve Foundational Reading Skills at Their Schools
Improving foundational reading skills requires the collaborative effort of many. Sprig has written about these players in previous blogs. See for example, the primary teacher, the literacy specialist and the literacy coach. This article deals with the all important role of the school principal.
When enough principals adopt a validated, peer-reviewed approach to literacy, they can also influence the superintendents in their districts to try out evidence-based methods, which have been proven to reduce risk of reading failure.
Early Literacy State of Affairs. 6 Major Ways to Make a Difference.
Given the current state of affairs for K-2 students, and for those from marginalized backgrounds, Sprig has identified six factors that make a positive difference in the learning outcomes of children.
These six factors, when understood properly, can be used to make a difference for students who are: struggling to read, just beginning to learn how to read, or going to start learning in the near future.
40 Science of Reading Insights You Need to Know for Strategic Reading Instruction
In this article, we look at multiple aspects of SoR to derive lessons that can be applied in the classroom.
To do this, we rely on an assortment of 40 factual statements on SoR. They are grouped where appropriate, to offer valuable insights to educators, staff and leaders for improving reading instruction at schools.
Early Literacy: Academic Return on Investment (ROI) For Schools
Education leaders do not seek a monetary return on their investments, but they do seek greater student learning and cost-efficiency. This is called the academic return on investment for schools. This article is about increasing the academic return on investment through early literacy initiatives.
Early Literacy Instruction for Primary School Teachers/Elementary Teachers
Recently, there is more awareness about the immense value of early literacy. Studies continue to be published from various states showing that roughly a third of all K-2 students are missing early literacy benchmarks.
It’s a collective responsibility to ensure that the early literacy experience for children is optimized. Apart from parents, teachers spend the most time with kids in their daily lives during the school year. Their role in young students’ early literacy development is paramount to student success.
This article, Part 3 in our series, is dedicated to classroom teachers in early elementary grades who have a permanent seat at the early literacy dream team table. (Read Part 1 and Part 2.)
Sprig Learning Partners With Joyful Literacy To Develop a New Evidence-Based Early Literacy Teacher App
Sprig Learning was purpose-built to help provide every student with a fair shot at success. To date, we have worked with schools across North America to improve the assessment process in the early years, support teachers and provide all young learners with the chance to succeed in both school and in life. We have helped thousands of early learners acquire the fundamentals of early literacy and numeracy.
Sprig Learning’s early literacy tools are built around the Science of Reading. To take the next big leap in early literacy innovation, Sprig is excited to partner with Dr. Janet Mort and her Joyful Literacy team to bring you Sprig Reading: Powered by Joyful Literacy! Joyful Literacy is a proven, evidence-based literacy framework that has consistently improved classrooms to 90% grade-level literacy achievement. Wherever it is implemented, the results soon follow!
How Literacy Coaches Help Reading Achievement 101
This week, we turn our attention to the literacy coach. Like the reading or literacy specialist, it’s another in-school role that plays an invaluable part in teaching school children how to read.
The literacy coach, or reading coach, is someone trained in early literacy and who is aware of all recent developments in reading research. They use these skills to show teachers how to more effectively help students learn to read.
The role of a literacy coach is multivarious. It involves planning for coaching, reviewing teaching and assessment practices, and organizing resources for early literacy instruction.
The ABCs of Supporting Reading Specialists
Approximately 4 million students are enrolled in Grade 3 in the US in 2022. We regularly read reports from different states about the percentage of Grade 3 and Grade 4 students scoring below the state assessment level for reading proficiency. It ranges from 20% to as much as 60%.
Even if the lower quartile is considered, that means 1 million students are struggling to read in the US. It’s quite a daunting task for reading specialists, with each reading specialist, on average ,responsible for supporting 52 students!
In this article, we look at the nature of the job that is done by reading/literacy specialists, evidence of their effectiveness, and put forward ways in which we can better support them.
The Undeniable Case for Early Literacy Intervention
Often the word “literacy intervention” conjures up thoughts that relate to cost-inefficiencies and doubts over its overall efficiency.
But with hundreds of reading intervention programs being used by thousands of schools, we are past the point of debating the usability of interventions.
Rather, the focus should be on how to best implement literacy interventions in schools.
Design a Summer Reading Program for Early Literacy
Indeed, schools should be well equipped to manage returning students that had varied summer experiences and were exposed to diverse learning opportunities. Some students may require more help than others in the form of one-on-one or group support.
But how can we mitigate the summer slide?
Or looking at it from a more positive angle, what if more learning opportunities were available during the summer so all students could continue to maintain and build their early literacy skills?
The 20 Best Strategies for Teaching Early Math Skills
In a study on school readiness and later achievement, it’s said that early math skills have even greater predictive power than reading and attention skills, when it comes to determining success.
Given math is such an integral part of early childhood education, we wanted to do a comprehensive roundup of all strategies written on this topic.
We present them in this article.
Early Childhood Teachers— Creating the Perfect Team
Despite all the challenges commonly faced by teachers, they are committed to the teaching profession to help students.
It takes an enormous amount of effort and dedication to teach preschoolers, kindergarteners and students in the early elementary grades. That’s why Sprig Learning supports the teaching cause by designing holistic early learning programs for Pre-K to Grade 3.
For this year’s National Teacher Day, let’s take time to understand each teaching role to truly appreciate them!
Using Play-based Technology to Teach Early Math Skills
Encouraging and motivating a student during their early math experiences allows them to develop a keen interest in math. Such enjoyment and persistence in learning math pays off. Students explore creative ways to advance their learning instead of being discouraged and frustrated.
Play-based learning drives engagement in the early years.
Technology facilitates play.
In this article, we explore technology’s potential in teaching early math skills.
Applying the Science of Reading in Early Literacy Strategies
There are hundreds of different factors that determine literacy success, and there are potentially more factors that remain unresearched.
That being said, the evidence for the Science of Reading deserves thorough consideration from educators who are looking for ways to build early literacy skills in and develop proficient readers in their classrooms.
In this article, we look at how the Science of Reading informs early literacy strategies.
Building Early Literacy Skills in Schools. Thoughtful Considerations.
Literacy is a science, and there is a plethora of things to consider when explaining variances in literacy outcomes.
For schools, timeliness is especially important in making a difference in building early literacy skills. A stitch in time saves nine.
In this article, Sprig Learning zeroes in on early literacy skills, and their impact on student outcomes.
11 Reasons Why Holistic Learning Strengthens Early Learning
One of the major reasons is holistic learning’s connection to differentiated instruction, which enables educators to personalize learning for every early child. Sprig’s holistic assessments help educators identify the unique strengths, needs and learning interests of every child.
Here are 11 more reasons why holistic learning suits early learning so well.
High-Performing School Improvement Plan [With 3 Actual Cases from Early Learning]
With the right school improvement plan, becoming a high-performing school is a reality. It’s best to learn from existing case studies. We present three of them in this article.
Sprig Learning designs high-quality and culturally enabling early literacy and numeracy programs for pre-K to Grade 3.
High-quality early learning programs are used by school districts all over North America to produce meaningful results and deliver the best outcomes for young students.
Designing The Best Assessments in Early Childhood Education
Assessments are critical to early childhood education and development. We look at early learning assessment best practices to design the most effective assessments.
In school districts across Canada and the US, there is a standardized assessment delivered at the end of grade 3 or grade 4 which often represents the first standardized assessment in the early years. It also often marks the end of the primary school years. But in fact, a lot of the time, early childhood education begins with an assessment!
What Can Sprig Learning Do for You?
Introducing Sprig Learning, the holistic early learning platform that provides every young student a fair shot at success. What does this mean for everyone involved? Whether you are a parent, a teacher, principal, a school district or community leader, an education innovator, or perhaps all of the above, Sprig’s products are designed to help everyone involved in early childhood education.
The 4 Golden Rules of Early Literacy Development
Early literacy development is in the back of every Pre-K to grade 3 teacher’s mind. Apply these 4 golden rules to see young students become better readers and writers. Family Literacy Day was created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 to promote the joy of life-long learning. It’s never too late for anyone to improve their skill level in reading or writing. But it’s best if such a process starts early, hence the importance of early literacy!
Augmented Reality in Early Childhood Education. More Than a Trend.
Will augmented reality work in early childhood education? It will, if used in the right context. We explain its potential. Adding technology to any learning program will not immediately translate into improved student outcomes. However, technology, when used with physical educational materials, has the potential to add tremendous value to classrooms.
Holistic Formative Assessments. The New Wave.
Formative assessments are used by educators throughout North America to teach students. How can holistic formative assessments help? In education, formative assessments are extremely popular. Schools that use formative assessment show gains in academic achievement for students. For previously underachieving students, the gains are more pronounced due to the impact of formative assessments.
Recommendations to Make Best Use of ESSER Funds
ESSER contains 3 stimulus packages thus far to help schools during the public emergency. With the right recommendations, it’s a tremendous opportunity to make long-term winning investments.
Sprig Learning Yearly Review [Includes message from CEO]
This is Sprig Learning’s 2021 end of year reflection. There is so much to be grateful for, as we work to ensure all early learners have the best shot at success in school.
4 Types of Parental Involvement in Early Childhood Education
Parental involvement is essential for a high-quality early childhood education. For best results, make sure that these four things are taken into consideration.
5 Solutions to 5 Key Challenges in Early Learning in North America
Every challenge has a solution. Apply these 5 solutions to address the 5 major early learning challenges faced by schools in North America.
5 Early Learning Challenges Faced by Schools and Programs Across North America
So many articles, journals, whitepapers, conferences, and experts agree on these 5 challenges in early education. Yet, they continue to exist. What are they? We discuss.
The Unrivaled Miniguide to Introducing Differentiated Instruction in Early Learning
Use this miniguide to build your differentiated instruction strategy for early learners. Acquire a complete perspective of differentiated instruction implementation.
What Is Holistic Learning’s Role in Assessing Early Literacy?
Is there such a thing as a holistic approach to assessment in education? We explore the depth to which holistic learning and assessments align with early literacy.
The Equity Issues in Early Childhood Education That Will Stop You in Your Tracks.
We have a long way to go to achieve equity in early childhood education. Here is some food for thought and potential solutions.
Dealing with Implicit Bias in Early Learning Assessments
Is it possible to mitigate implicit bias in early learning assessments? Further your understanding of this topic and get some recommendations.
What You Should Know about Assessments In Early Childhood Education.
Assessments are essential in schools, but are we missing something in the way we conduct assessments? See how formative assessments could be immune to learning disruption.
Benefits of Differentiated Instruction in Early Learning—The Comprehensive List [With Matching Strategies]
What’s the hype about differentiated instruction in early learning? We address all of its benefits in one place, with strategies to match.
Formal Formative Assessment or Informal Formative Assessment. What’s Right for Early Learning?
Is one type of formative assessment better than the other for early learning? We explore the nature of both formal & informal assessments.
How Differentiated Learning Supports All Forms of Early Learning
Differentiated learning is not a standalone approach. It affects many other types of early learning approaches. We look at the central role it plays in early learning.
13 Amazing Indigenous Learning Initiatives from 13 Provinces & Territories of Canada
In honour of Orange Shirt Day, we pledge to never forget, but to look ahead. Canada is in the process of reconciliation. These 13 Indigenous learning initiatives are making an impact.
Early Learning Funding Sources That You Must Follow in the US
Improving quality and accessibility of early learning programs has always required appropriate investments. In response to the greater urgency for funding, we list the must-follow early learning funding sources in the US.
15 Characteristics of Holistic Learning
You’ve heard the idea of holistic learning before in early childhood education. We bring you 15 characteristics that reveal the essence of holistic education, with examples.
The North American Primer on Early Indigenous Education
Indigenous education awareness is at an all-time high. We explain the current state, challenges and opportunities in North America, focusing on early learners who are most impacted by any change.
Learning Loss and the Road to Recovery for School Children
It’s said that Covid 19 school closures have devastated early learning. We discuss the journey from learning loss to learning recovery for those affected.
Sprig Learning Partner wins Governor General’s Innovation Award
Indigenous education authority, Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, recognized for its innovative approach to learning. OTTAWA, ON (May 20, 2021) —The Mi’kmaw education authority in Nova Scotia is one of six recipients from across Canada to win the prestigious Governor...
Ontario Partners with Canadian EdTech Company to Support New Math Curriculum
Sprig Math Focuses on Building a Deeper Understanding of Mathematics in the Early Years. OTTAWA, ON (March 10, 2021) — Leading educational technology company, Sprig Learning, launches Sprig Math to support teachers, students and families as they navigate the...
More Tips to Protect Your Child’s Data Online (Part Two – Children on Computers)
As a follow-up to Part One - Children on Computers, we now shift the focus to securing data on mobile technology. While the evolution of mobile and wireless technologies have contributed positively to lives over the past 10+ years, many people continue to debate the...
Five Tips to Protect Your Child’s Data Online (Part One – Children on Computers)
With most schools running either part- or full-time remote learning programs (or a combination of both), parents are advised to stay vigilant about doing everything they can to protect their child’s data online. At Sprig Learning, we take online security and privacy...
COVID Slide: How COVID-19 Affects Young Learners
COVID-19 brought the entire world to a standstill. Arguably, the education sector was the most impacted. School closures for nearly six months are having a profound impact on young learners. According to UNESCO, approximately 1.5 billion children were affected by...
Innovation meets Indigenous pedagogy: the Canadian company revitalizing Indigenous languages
This article was originally published at https://www.canadadownunder.org.au/sprig-learning/ Jarrett Laughlin comes from a family of Canadian educators. As someone with nearly two decades of experience in the Canadian education sector, his passion and work are...
Canadian EdTech Company Launches Free Early Learning Platform for Parents During School Closures
Across the country, Canadian families are feeling the effects of COVID-19 school closures. In some provinces, schools have been closed indefinitely, prompting many parents to seek credible learning resources that have been designed with them in mind. In response,...
ICTC Q&A With Sprig Learning Founder Jarrett Laughlin
This interview was originally published by The Information and Communications Technology Council on Monday, March 9, 2020. The constant proliferation of new educational technologies can distract from important questions such as “Is this software helpful” and...
Sprig Learning Expands Oral Language Learning Program
Sprig Learning, a leader in holistic early years programming, is excited to launch our new innovative platform Sprig 2.0 for the 2019-20 school year. With improved data visualization for educators, iOS assessment application features and learning resources for...
Using Data to Drive Decisions in the Classroom
There’s a change going on at my school near the Trans-Canada Highway in the southeastern Alberta town of Bassano. Teachers are turning on to how student data can be used to drive decisions in the classroom. I’ve been the principal at Bassano School for about three...
SXSW EDU 2019
Sprig Learning CEO Jarrett Laughlin had the opportunity to talk about how an iPad and real-time data are helping Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in Nova Scotia capture multiple perspectives of early literacy while promoting language learning in the home,...
It Takes Two to Keep Student Data Safe
Technology isn't leaving anytime soon – that's a fact. With job markets desperate for digital skills and teachers desperate for support, devices have a place in today's education system. The trouble is, schools are adopting technology at an accelerating rate while the...
Student Data Privacy – What Makes Sprig So Secure?
Protecting student data is a top priority for school districts and schools, and with the upswing of new edtech products on the market, it can be hard to qualify which tools offer the kind of protection that you and your students need. While some edtech companies may...
Sprig Learning Wins Best Language Learning App of 2018
We are thrilled to announce that the Sprig Learning Bookshelf has been named the Tech Edvocate’s Best Language Learning App of 2018! The Sprig Learning Bookshelf was built in partnership with Mi’kmaw Kina’matenwey of Nova Scotia, and provides Indigenous and...
Culturally Responsive Teaching for the Digital Age
Children of all backgrounds should have role models to admire. Most young children have heroes and they’re often quite literal in the rationale behind their choices. Race and gender are often deciding factors and while pop culture is responding by diversifying content...
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