Big Steps™
Establishing a culture of care, ownership, and value!
weekly book club
What are Big Steps?
Big Steps™ is a student-led, peer-affirmation practice that makes personal growth visible, named, and valued.
Students recognize “first-time” actions (a Big Step) and affirm one another using a simple ritual built on the N.V.I.T.E.S. Arc™: Notice, Value, Inquire, Trade, Enjoy, Share.
What counts as a “Big Step”?
Any meaningful, effort-based first: asking for help, apologizing, turning work in on time all week, stepping back from conflict, inviting someone new, sticking with a hard task, or speaking up respectfully.
How does a session run?
A student names a Big Step.
Peers give specific, authentic affirmation (the Trail Mix Role™).
Group recalls prior steps to build cultural memory.
Quick responsibility check (“ready for the next step?”).
Close with one N.V.I.T.E.S. action to carry into the day.
How long does it take?
● Daily touch-in: 8–12 minutes.
● Weekly circle: 30–45 minutes.
Works during advisory, homeroom, after-school, or team time.
Who is it for?
Grades 4–12; especially effective with students who are easily distracted, avoidant, or “over school.” Mixed-ability groups work well.
For a full breakdown of the Big Steps™ FAQ and how you can get involved, click th link below!
Chasing Understanding™
Igniting the spark of self-guided learning
What is Chasing Understanding (CU)?
Chasing Understanding® is a structured reading practice that teaches students to notice confusion, name it out loud, and work through it together. It flips the norm from “pretend you understand” to “own the moment you don’t,” using the N.V.I.T.E.S. Arc™: Notice, Value, Inquire, Trade, Enjoy, Share.
What problem does CU solve?
Many students “fake read.” CU interrupts that habit by making metacognition visible and socially safe, so real comprehension can happen.
How does a CU session run?
During a reading, or book club, we practice and prioritize these core steps of building understanding:
Notice a confusion point in the text.
Value the pause (“this matters”).
Inquire with specific questions.
Trade the guess/shortcut for an honest attempt to resolve (text evidence, peer help, teacher cue).
Enjoy the partial win.
Share what unlocked understanding for others.
How long does it take?
● Daily bell-ringer: 8–12 minutes.
● Weekly deep dive: 30–45 minutes. Works in ELA, intervention blocks, or after-school.
Who is it for?
Grades 6–12 (strong in 8–11). Especially helpful for reluctant readers, multilingual learners, and students who “perform school” without engaging.
For more info read or Chasing Understanding (CU) FAQ and how you can get involved, click th link below!
