🎯 Start with the Essentials

The Blended Learning Starter KitDigital - Blended Learning Starter Kit Your one-stop resource for checklists, station templates, planning guides, and rollout tips. Designed to help you get started fast—whether you're new to blended learning or ready for a reboot.

The Field Guide for the 12 Elements of Student Engagement and Ownership This must-have book walks you through the research-based framework we use to build self-directed, future-ready learners. Perfect for coaching cycles, PLCs, and classroom implementation.

🛠️ Classroom Tools That Make a Big Impact

🛍️ Garage Sale Finds: Budget-Friendly Treasures for Your Studios

💡 Final Tip: Set the Tone Early

👉 Ready to get started? ​

Download the Blended Learning Starter Kit, grab a few of these tools, and check out the Field Guide Field Guidefor step-by-step support all year long. Let’s kick-start your studios with confidence—one studio at a time!

Whole-Group Mini-Lessons → Digital Content Studio Blended Learning Strategy: Record HQIM-aligned mini-lessons as short instructional videos, placing them in a Digital Content studio within the rotation model. These videos enable students to: Learn new concepts at their own pace Revisit prior learning for mastery Stay on track when absent Why It Works: According to the Christensen Institute, asynchronous instruction is a key enabler of personalized learning. Embedding HQIM instruction in video format supports knowledge retention and time-efficient use of whole-group minutes—without compromising core content.

Students engage with teacher-recorded lessons to learn at their own pace, revisit key concepts, and take notes for deeper understanding. This self-directed learning model supports mastery, offers flexible pacing, and empowers students to take ownership of their learning—all while ensuring alignment to core HQIM content.

Practice & Problem Sets → Independent Practice Studio ​Blended Learning Strategy: Use HQIM’s print or digital problem sets as self-paced activities in independent workstations. While the teacher works with small groups, students engage in: Targeted practice with immediate feedback (when digital tools are used) Spiral review or current unit problems Scaffolded tasks based on readiness Why It Works: This aligns with the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) emphasis on structured, standards-aligned practice. Integrating HQIM into the rotation allows for extended time on task, ownership of learning, and deeper engagement with rigorous content.

Students engage in challenging story problems that build conceptual understanding and numeracy. With tools like number charts and graphic organizers, learners work independently to apply strategies, make sense of the problem, and justify their thinking—supporting deeper learning and standard mastery.

Small Group Differentiation → Data-Driven Instruction Blended Learning Strategy: Use formative data from HQIM tasks, digital platforms, and observational notes to inform targeted small-group instruction. Customize: Reteach and review groups Enrichment with HQIM extension tasks Scaffolded support for Tier 2 intervention Why It Works: Studies by TNTP and The New Teacher Project highlight that high-dosage tutoring and differentiated small groups—when aligned to HQIM—can accelerate learning. Blended learning offers the structure to make that differentiation scalable during core instruction.

The teacher uses real-time student data to guide small group instruction, targeting specific skills based on formative assessments. Students receive immediate feedback, work through misconceptions, and engage in personalized support—maximizing every minute of learning.

Close Reading & Text-Based Tasks → Collaborative Learning Stations Blended Learning Strategy: Turn HQIM-based reading tasks into high-engagement, student-led experiences by incorporating: Collaborative discussion protocols EdTech tools like Padlet, Diffit.me, Wakelet, Vocaroo, Otterbox Real-world application challenges tied to HQIM texts Why It Works: This approach aligns with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and promotes deeper literacy engagement. Students analyze text, synthesize meaning, and apply content beyond the page—all while increasing academic discourse.

​Students dive deep into the text using HQIM-aligned materials, annotating key details and discussing meaning in small collaborative groups. This station promotes comprehension, critical thinking, and student voice—all while reinforcing standards through structured academic conversations.

Assessments / Checks for Understanding → Instant Feedback Loops Blended Learning Strategy: Digitize formative assessments using tools like Google Forms, Formative, or Edulastic. Embed these into Independent Practice or Digital Content studios. Why It Works: Real-time feedback helps students self-correct and accelerates mastery. Teachers can immediately adjust instruction based on student progress. This aligns with TEA’s Effective Schools Framework (ESF) Domain 5: Data-Driven Instruction.

Students complete HQIM-aligned tasks independently, then check their work against posted answers to receive immediate feedback. This self-monitoring strategy builds responsibility, supports mastery learning, and frees the teacher to focus on targeted small-group instruction.

​Final Thoughts: Alignment Meets Adaptability

Blended learning creates the conditions for HQIM to be more than a script—it becomes a launchpad for deeper learning. By layering in structures for pacing, choice, collaboration, and personalization, districts can unlock: Stronger Tier 1 instruction Higher student engagement Measurable growth in achievement and equity

👉 Ready to Amplify Your HQIM Implementation? We specialize in coaching and workshops designed to support your district’s rollout of blended learning with HQIM—not instead of it. Visit blendedlearningpd.com or dynaguide.org to schedule a leadership session or download free planning tools.

In the Field Guide for the 12 Elements of Blended Learning, we emphasize the importance of effective time management in the classroom. One of the most powerful tools for managing time and ensuring smooth transitions in a blended learning environment is the use of timers. Timers can keep students on track, promote self-regulation, and support differentiated instruction. Here’s how you can effectively use timers to enhance your classroom environment. Teacher Hack Video

​Start with a Whole Group Timer

Begin with a whole group timer that keeps all students moving through the learning studios at the same pace. For instance, set a countdown timer visible to all students. This helps establish a sense of urgency and provides a clear expectation for how long each activity should take. As students become familiar with the routines, they develop a sense of pacing. ✅ Pro Tip: Keep your studios to 8-10 minutes when first training students to navigate the learning studios. Remember, the ultimate goal is for students to transition seamlessly and work at their own pace.

Move to a Class Countdown Timer

After introducing the whole group timer, move to a class countdown timer that shows how much time is left in the class period. This allows students to plan and adjust their work speed, ensuring they stay on track. For example, if there are four studios and 40 minutes, you might display a countdown of 40 minutes, with periodic reminders of how much time remains. ✅ Pro Tip: Use a visual countdown timer with clear reminders to foster student agency as they work through the studios. This approach minimizes interruptions during your small group instruction.

Show a Transition Timer for Quick Movement

A transition timer is another powerful tool in the blended learning environment. Displaying a clear countdown for transition time between studios helps students move quickly and efficiently. Students can see how much time they have to clean up their current studio and move to the next. This visual cue promotes smooth transitions and minimizes wasted time. Make sure the transition expectations are clear (e.g., calm, quiet, and efficient). ✅ Pro Tip: Create clear and visually engaging transition slides, like this teacher has done, to help students move smoothly from one studio to the next.

Amazon Timers

Sample Student Timer T  Current Price -  $9.99

Sample Student Timers  Current Price - $19.99

Sample Teacher Timer ​Current Price-

Sample Whole Group Timer -

​Add Timers to Student Checklists

Next, introduce timers as part of the student checklists. Each studio can be assigned a recommended amount of time. For example: Small Group Studio: 8 minutes for open-ended questions. Independent Practice Studio: 12 minutes for reading or completing practice problems Digital Content Studio: 10 minutes for an EdPuzzle Future Ready Studio: 8 minutes for the gallery walk

​Implement a Teacher Timer for Small Groups

The teacher timer is a game-changer for small group instruction. This timer helps the teacher manage the time spent with each group, ensuring that all students receive the support they need. Differentiation becomes more precise as the teacher can adjust the time for each group based on their proficiency level. In the photo example: High Flyers receive 6 minutes with open-ended questions. Strugglers receive 12 minutes of reteach time with a hands-on activity. On-Level students receive 10 minutes of review. Middle High students receive 8 minutes.

​Why Timers Work

Timers provide a visual and auditory cue for students, creating a structured yet flexible learning environment. They support student agency by helping learners make decisions about how to manage their time. They also ensure teachers maintain a balanced focus across groups without getting too caught up with one set of students. Ready to try timers in your classroom? Start with the whole group timer and gradually introduce more advanced timing strategies as your students become comfortable with the process. Watch as your classroom transitions become smoother, and your small group instruction becomes more effective.

Level Up Your Teaching This Summer!

Question

​What Are Studio Experts?

Studio Experts are designated student leaders in each learning studio who help their peers during a blended learning session. These students are equipped with special Studio Expert Cards, which provide them with guidelines and responsibilities. They wear light-up lanyards so that their peers can easily identify them. Grab Your Copy of The Studio Expert Tags

​The Role of Studio Experts

​Why Studio Experts Increase Student Ownership

​How to Set Up Studio Experts in Your Classroom

​Transforming Student Learning One Studio at a Time

What is a Progression Board?

What the Progression Board Revealed

Let’s talk about two students from the video: Student A had all four studios checked off. Was she truly finished? Did she rush through the work? Did she need enrichment or extension activities? Was the task too easy? Student B had zero boxes marked. Was he absent? Did he get stuck on one studio? Did he struggle to stay focused? Or did he just forget to update the board? In both cases, the progression board gave me, the teacher, instant insight into what was happening in the room—without constantly hovering or calling students out. It helped me know who to check in with and why.

Adding a Layer of Accountability

To make the progression board even more effective, I added a completion percentage system. Before students leave for the day, they log how many studios they completed: 4/4 = 100% 3/4 = 75% 2/4 or less = time for a check-in Not only does this give me data, but it opens the door for gamification. You can create leaderboards, weekly progress goals, or even studio completion badges. Students start to take more ownership of their time and choices when they see progress as part of the learning journey. NEW The Progression Board Bundle.  Click Here

Progression Boards Work

When you're just starting to allow self-paced learning, the structure of the progression board helps keep the classroom grounded. It's not about chaos or losing control—it's about building student agency with built-in support and visibility. Progression boards… Keep students accountable Give teachers real-time data Highlight patterns and barriers to learning Allow for targeted conferencing and support Encourage independence and time management

🚀 Ready to Go Deeper? Join Us This Summer or Book Onsite Coaching!

If you’re looking to take blended learning to the next level, we’re here to support you. This summer, we’re offering hands-on workshops focused on: Increasing Student Engagement Getting Started with Blended Learning Studios Making Data-Driven Small Groups simple and sustainable And we’re now booking onsite coaching opportunities for the upcoming school year! Whether you're looking for full-day workshops, instructional coaching cycles, or customized PD plans, our team will work with you to design impactful, classroom-ready support for your staff. 📍Explore all the options and reserve your spot at blendedlearningpd.com Let’s make this your best teaching year yet!

Step 1: Use What You Already Have

​Step 2: Add a Fourth Studio—Student Collaboration

Step 3: Shift from Timed Rotations to Student Pace, Place, and Path

🚀 Ready to go deeper with blended learning?

📦 Grab Your FREE Blended Learning Starter Kit!