Embedded Files
“Teachers empower students to make decisions about how, when, and with whom they work. . . . Presenting students with expectations and options, but allowing them to make decisions empowers them to take responsibility for their own learning.” — Dr. Nancy Sulla, 2011
“Teachers empower students to make decisions about how, when, and with whom they work. . . . Presenting students with expectations and options, but allowing them to make decisions empowers them to take responsibility for their own learning.” — Dr. Nancy Sulla, 2011
Empowerment consists of
Catching and correcting errors
Setting goals
Managing time
Self-assessing
Monitoring performance
Reflecting on goals
Student Responsibility Boards
Student Responsibility Boards
Physical Structures:
Physical Structures:
Student Responsibility Boards increase self-management and relationship skills while providing students with needed support. See your consultant for visual examples and suggestions.
Resource Area - is a designated, physical structure in the classroom for student access. See your consultant for additional visual examples and suggestions.
Elementary Sample: How I Can Help!
Check out this page in the EF PLE Empowerment Module: Structures to Embrace Empowerment to get strategies for developing your Resource Area.
How-to Sheets
How-to Sheets
When students use how-to sheets to follow directions and multiple steps (Engagement), they are also catching and correcting errors (Empowerment) , self-assessing and revision (Empowerment), and monitoring progress (Empowerment) toward their goal. They approach tasks with greater clarity, use academic language more precisely, and make adjustments independently. A well-designed classroom builds capacity, and How-To Sheets are one practical way to strengthen skill, strategy, and ownership.
How-To Sheets:
Break complex skills into clear, manageable steps
Provide examples and visual references for support
Deliver just-in-time learning during authentic tasks
Target specific skills, from academic processes to digital tools
Offer structured guidance for diverse learners
Check out the EF PLE Empowerment Module: Using the How-to Sheet for strategies for using how-to sheets.
Consider these additional tools for Providing Students with Direction for Learning with Video and Tips for Creating How-To Sheets.
See some sample how-to sheets below and brainstorm for what topic(s) you can use how-to sheets.
Primary/Elementary:
Middle School:
How to Form the Conditional Tense for Regular Verbs in Spanish
Check out the Directions and Instructional video examples from this blog: Five Types of Videos Teachers Can Use to Enhance Learning!
Time Management
Time Management
Time Management
Time Management
Levels to Students Scheduling Their Time - The executive function skill of managing time, if mastered during school, can not only improve students' academic productivity, but can significantly improve students' college, career, and life pursuits. In order for students to successfully manage and schedule their time, you must first have an instructional environment that empowers students to make choices about their learning and that provides them with the opportunity to manage their time.
Sample Student Schedule (Grades 2 and Up)
Sample Student Schedules (Google)
Check out the EF PLE Empowerment Module: From Activity Completion to Scheduling Time
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