I accidently discovered this online forum for kids to help save the world, one person at a time. The event was a local celebration for kids who made a difference. Check out the international organization and then share it with teens you know. We.org Copied from their website: WE empower people to change the world.… Read More »
Close reading is engaged reading. It’s the opposite of read-as-fast-as-you-can. It encourages readers to read for deeper meaning and requires taking time to understand what is read. Here are a few tips to focus your thinking about close reading: Practice close reading yourself. As you read ask why questions and open-ended questions to move beyond… Read More »
When it comes to helping kids get moving, educationally, these concepts are key: 1. Brainstorm. Spend time picking each other’s brains about possibilities or ideas related to a topic. Dont’ limit yourself to practical ideas; go for creative, out-of-the box thinking. 2. Take a stand. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion different from others… Read More »
Children’s books have been popular for kids as well as adults for decades. Many titles are older than grandparents! Here is a list of a dozen popular kids books followed by 4 questions I hope you will answer. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Alice in Wonderland The Chronicles of Narnia Where the Wild Things Are… Read More »
Show and Tell is more than talking about your weekend or the new puppy, especially with older students. It’s an early step in scaffolding (early steps in breaking down learning into chunks). It involves talking, looking at vocabulary and information as well as previewing text. So how does Show and Tell fit in? Learning by… Read More »
We want students to dig in, become engaged in their education. So what do we need to do to foster that outcome? 1. Make activities meaningful to the students. All of us become more engaged in activities when we feel a personal connection, a tie to our lives or our experiences. Find the connections; allow… Read More »
March 21 is Poetry Day. Here’s an activity to get you started. Ask each member of the class (adults and students) to select a short poem that “speaks to them” personally. Ask them to write it out in their best handwriting, sign their name, fold it up and place it in a sealed envelope. The… Read More »
Opinion EdWeek.com/blogs by Jal Mehta and Robert Rothman In this blog, organized by Harvard education professor Jal Mehta and Washington-based education writer Robert Rothman, students, teachers, administrators, researchers, and policymakers explore the practice and policy issues around expanding deeper learning. « Leaders as Learners: Exploring Equity | Main Five Secrets to Operationalize Deeper Learning By… Read More »
Struggling with Classroom Management? Consider investigating Education Week Press I follow Education Week Press www.edweek.org and suggest you make their Bookstore – click here your destination for ‘must-read’ titles on teaching and learning. Effective Classroom Management to Support Student Learning This book discusses the link between instruction and management, describes daily routines that contribute to… Read More »
Teaching is a high-energy profession. It requires planning and your best all day, every day. Food does more than fill your stomach and provide energy; it also fuels your brain. You need to consume foods that will stay with you well beyond that lunch break you didn’t take or missed because of a meeting with… Read More »