Current StrateNotes Newsletter

SN Vol. 33, No. 4 | Mar./Apr. 2025

Integrating Higher Order Thinking Routines: A Pathway to Academic Rigor

In their 2025 SIM Florida Update Session: Integrating Higher Order Thinking Routines: A Pathway to Academic Rigor, SIM Authors, Keith B. Lenz and Jan Bulgren, explored the significance of higher order thinking routines (HOTR), the nuances of the SMARTER Instructional Cycle, and the collaborative efforts of educators to enhance student engagement and understanding through these methodologies. SMARTER serves as a structured framework that guides educators in their decision-making processes while teaching. As outlined in this session, SMARTER is designed to enhance the integration of HOTR into everyday teaching practices. This cyclical approach allows for continuous assessment and adjustment of instructional strategies, ensuring that the needs of all learners are met. The synergy between the SMARTER and HOTR is particularly impactful; as educators utilize SMARTER to plan and execute lessons, they can seamlessly incorporate higher order thinking routines to elevate the rigor of their instruction. As educators strive to equip students with the skills necessary for success in an ever-evolving world, integrating higher order thinking routines (HOTR) into instructional practices emerges as a pivotal strategy. Click here to view the session.

SIM News

Book Move Pics

We're excited to announce that most of the Content Enhancement Routine manuals and a few more of the Learning Strategies manuals can now be purchased through University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning! We had a fun moving day a few weekends ago, with help from family to get the books over to the Center. Thanks to everyone who helped and made this move possible! Here is a link to the new order form.

Let's Talk About SIM Lunch and Learn zoom meeting QR code and password: 589362

Join us for a virtual session to talk about SIM. Upcoming dates:
- April 24, 2025 - 1:00 pm EST - This time we’ll be talking about SIM crosswalks with other initiatives, administrator checklists, Canvas Courses, and answering any questions administrators might have about SIM.
- June 4, 2025 - 1:00 pm EST
- July 15, 2025 - 3:00 pm EST
- Oct. 16, 2025 - 4: 00 pm EST

We'd love to have your help gathering testimonials and content for posts. These can be short 5-10 sec. video clips of you walking into school saying something like "I'm going to be working with teachers on the SIM Sentence Writing Strategies today", photos (with permissions), or even just some words you'd like us to post. You can also send us longer stories about how SIM has impacted your teaching and your students (here's a great example: https://www.facebook.com/KUCRL.SIM/videos/579015081619307/). Please feel free to share any words, videos, pics, or graphics, or tag us in a short 5-10 sec. selfie video the next time you're doing SIM PD. simpd@ku.edu Thanks!

SIM in the Field

The 2025 SIM Southeast Conference took place in North Carolina in March, with lots of great sessions and both old and new friends taking part.

Recent Publications by KU CRL Staff and SIM Network Members:
- Lindo, E. J., Martínez-Álvarez, P., Sulivan, A. L., & King Thorius, K. (2025). Existence and Persistence During Divisive and Uncertain Times. Exceptional Children, 91(3), 233-235. https://doi.org/10.1177/00144029251323745 (Original work published 2025)
- Goldman, Samantha & Smith, Sean & Carreon, Adam. (2025). Artificial Intelligence to Support Writing Outcomes for Students With Disabilities. Journal of Special Education Technology. 10.1177/01626434251326328.

We know many of you attend and present at educational conferences around the U.S. We monitor this list of conferences that KU CRL Researchers or SIM PDers might attend or submit presentation proposals to in order to spread the word about SIM. Please feel free to check it out and let us know if there are conferences that we should consider adding. Additionally, we'd love to know if you're presenting anywhere. We are always happy to keep up with what is happening for our network members!

Join the SIM Professional Developer Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SIMPDers

Have an idea for a SIM StoryCorps to highlight your story with SIM? please feel free to share it simpd@ku.edu

SIM Resources & Reminders

Reminders:

Update your StrateDirectory information so that others in the network can find you and/or we can contact you with referrals for PD in your area.
Report your SIM PD work - We use this information to help us apply for grants and to share the impact SIM is having around the world. This is especially important right now with everything that is happening in the broader landscape of US education.

Resources:

Have a listen to the Notebook LM (AI) created podcast overviews for: SIM, Learning Strategies, and Content Enhancement Routines.

2025 SIM One-Page Flyer

Upcoming SIM Events:

SIM Update Conferences for PDers and Specialists
- April 2025 - Spring Virtual SIM Conference - ongoing through April
- October, 2025 - Fall Virtual SIM Conference
Do you know someone who wants to Become a SIM Professional Developer? Tell them about the Content Literacy Leadership Institute (CLLI)
- Next session: June - October, 2025
- Intent to apply form due: May 1
SIM Online PD Classes for educators (self-paced courses on Canvas, with follow-up coaching time)
- Content Enhancement Routines:
- Learning Strategies:

Follow SIM® on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

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