SmartLearning




  • “My students finally believe in themselves and see themselves as learners like never before. Each day of this sequence their writing has more feeling and detail than I ever would have imagined!”
    - Emily Walker




  • “My kids have grown in so many ways. You should see them report out now! Even my most vulnerable kids are eager to stand up and share their thinking. It's amazing. Independent reading has been an easy transition as well. Their tag lines are fantastic!”
    - Donna Schelter




  • “I came back to my classroom and immediately implemented A/B partner-talk in a variety of settings. I found my students instantly lit up and became more engaged with the content and were excited to see what would happen next. Nathan even joined in the conversation, first with his partner and then with the class. It took all my strength not to jump for joy in the middle of the lesson.”
    - Ashley Frketich, Victoria BC, French Immersion




  • “I loved the deeper learning and understanding that the students found and discovered by using the tools in smart learning. This year, I definitely witnessed increased student growth in the areas of reading, writing, and partner work - respecting and helping one another.”
    - Penny Johansson, High Prairie AB




  • “I have delighted in observing students’ sense of efficacy blossom with the nurturing provided by the implementation of progressions and strategies that have become SmartLearning. Of the growth that has occurred for so many over the years...”
    - Donna Bulmer, Fort St. John BC




  • “One of the ways I see my students excelling with SmartLearning is in their speaking confidence. With Smart Learning the students stand to speak. After weeks of using criteria to set their own goals of how to become a Powerful Speaker, and achieving those goals, their speaking confidence soared.”
    - Brenda Coulombe, High Prairie, AB




  • “The first thing that struck me was the engagement from the students. I noticed that Smart Learning is intrinsically developed as an inclusive and differentiated approach. All the students could access this learning no matter what their developmental level.”
    - Jennifer Tweedie, Hay River NT




  • “I often integrate my language arts, social studies and science within a lesson sequence. The SmartLearning framework and tools work well in math too. I am constantly amazed by my students; especially the ideas they share from the deep, critical thinking that results from lessons, the depth to our class discussions, and the writing that is produced.”
    - Carol Barton, Penticton BC




  • “...observing the systematic framework of the coaching cards in action, with the power of the universal language. I appreciated the many varieties for refinement of the process... to make students more aware of their personal goals and responsibility for their own learning.”
    - Anonymous teacher, Penticton BC




  • “I’m looking forward to trying new strategies next week. I’ll start with more movement and replace quizzes with writing.”
    - Anonymous teacher, Vancouver BC




  • “I particularly have enjoyed listening to the students I’ve kept from the previous year explain to the incoming grade fours their interpretations of what SmartLearning is. It’s clear from their descriptions that it is a source of joy, pride, and a time at which they feel successful--where they see themselves positively as learners.”
    - Neil Varner, Nanaimo BC




  • “Everyone is an active participant - learning, growing and stretching to his or her fullest potential. Everyone is valued and everyone is thriving, including me.”
    - Sarah Koenig, Rocky Mountain House AB




  • “Smart Learning gave me tools to open doors that I didn’t even know existed. It changed me from a teacher with good intentions to a teacher with good intentions and a set of new skills, skills that I adapted to my own style and needs. This work fueled my passion for teaching, my confidence as an educator grew. I was able to share my findings and my new knowledge with other teachers. What a wonderful gift!”
    - Patti Peterson, New Westminster BC




  • “Slowing down to go deeply is key to developing the deeper understandings in text.”
    - Ian Drown, Nanaimo BC




  • “The SmartLearning framework has turned my classroom into a magical place where students come alive and are passionate about expressing their thoughts and ideas.”
    - Jen Beauchene, Chilliwack BC




  • “Students begin to think more critically, read with more understanding, write with more details, and speak with higher vocabulary. I am always inspired by their thoughtfulness, insightful thinking and how they connect their learning to their own lives.”
    - Jen Beauchene, Chilliwack BC
What is SmartLearning?
What we believe
Who we are
Tammy
Tammy

Biography

Erika
Erika

Biography

Susan
Susan

Biography

Patricia
Patricia

Biography

Ann
Ann

Biography

Heather
Heather

Biography

Barb
Barb

Biography

Why teachers love teaching with SmartLearning

Thoughtful Interaction
Thoughtful Interactions

Structured-talk develops thoughtful interactions, honours individual voice, expands and extends thinking, and builds a social and emotional foundation for belonging.


Learning-Centred
Learning-Centred

The learning-centred approach includes and engages all learners and allows for effective planning with learner skills and competencies in mind.


Deeper Learning
Deeper Learning

The focus on deeper learning involves learners in the processing of ideas and information, builds confidence and learner agency through visible evidence of competence.


Key Resources

ANCHOR PAPERS

A Framework for Deeper Learning

The framework as it stands today developed over twenty years of action research and inquiries into learning.   PDF 6.47 MB

Designing for Deeper Learning: A Planning Guide

A SmartLearning Planning Guide.   MS Word 70 KB

Building a Listening Culture

Respectful Listening... a foundation for learning   PDF 2.12 MB

Windows into assessment as, for and of learning

Effective assessment, evaluation and reporting are critical to the overall success of all of our students.   PDF 839 KB