101 things NOLA schools, teachers and students are doing to improve teaching and learning.

1. “Best Practices”
from our NOLA Schools
101

2. Schools in New Orleans are doing amazing
things. From extended day and gender-specific
classes to language immersion and online
courses, they are pioneering any number of
innovative practices. The following are just a
few of the many things they are doing to
improve both teaching and learning.

3. NOLA schools, teachers and
students…

4. write and illustrate their own poems

5. exercise throughout the day

6. focus on the
learning
process

7. enlist parents to help out in the classroom

8. welcome
visitors with
open doors

9. stay on-task

10. come together to solve difficult problems

11. focus on Grade Level Expectations

12. work to save Louisiana wetlands

13. map and align
the curriculum

14. learn by doing

15. create gender-specific classrooms

16. work one on one

17. maintain beautiful campuses

18. work collaboratively in learning stations

19. find time to have fun

20. plan for the future

21. take their learning on the road

22. promote achievement

23. prepare for challenges

24. use
assessment
data to make
instructional
decisions

25. tap technology to meet individual learner’ needs

26. do fieldwork

27. prepare for
benchmark
testing

28. work together to develop a game plan

29. celebrate and honor their heritage

30. plant butterfly gardens

31. incorporate artwork throughout the curriculum

32. do hands-on experiments

33. respect rules and each other

34. partner with
community
organizations

35. read BIG books

36. learn math through music

37. consult experts to improve instruction

38. create comfortable learning spaces

39. set individual and group goals

40. find time (and space) to read

41. clarify expectations

42. investigate science through gardening

43. play educational games

44. learn about different cultures

45. ask essential, tough questions

46. design and refine the curriculum

47. grow their own food

48. stay in rhythm

49. come together for professional development

50. build and utilize data walls

51. monitor student behavior

52. play organized sports

53. stay up on current events

54. monitor their own school culture

55. give real-world examples

56. adhere to core
values

57. differentiate instruction

58. engage in meaningful conversations

59. make a shared commitment to excellence

60. listen to digital books

61. find ways to
communicate
with all
stakeholders

62. share
responsibilities

63. surround themselves with technology

64. stock
classroom
libraries

65. celebrate successes

66. concentrate on the work at hand

67. make themselves available to students at all times

68. monitor each-other's behavior

69. read during breakfast

70. celebrate local traditions

71. maintain organized, clean, and well lit classrooms

72. develop reading strategies

73. tackle tough problems collectively

74. utilize every
possible space
to inspire

75. use graphic organizers

76. read whenever and wherever

77. stir children’s imagination

78. stage special events for the community

79. recruit community heroes like Drew Brees

80. use technology to enrich and extend learning

81. ask guiding questions

82. set daily
objectives

83. help teachers and staff connect

84. share instructional best practices

85. incorporate music throughout the curriculum

86. follow protocols and procedures

87. solicit feedback from the community

88. hire teachers with unique backgrounds

89. practice what they preach

90. stress the
importance of a
university
education

91. collaborate

92. team teach

93. observe and refine lessons

94. track (and show respect to) the speaker

95. work together in small groups

96. decorate the school with their own artwork

97. model expectations

98. read and discuss books together

99. build resources for active learning

100. learn from pets

101. write across the
curriculum
each and every
day

102. continue learning after school

103. do whatever it
takes to
capture
student’s
attention

104. work hard and be nice

105. and so much more…