TL;DR: Trying new ideas at the end of the school year can increase student engagement and help retain content. Versatile methods like choice boards, creativity tools, game-based learning, and interactive lessons boost engagement and curiosity. Incorporating student input, STEM activities, and problem-solving challenges further enhance learning experiences and promote essential skills development. Why try new ideas? With the school year … Read More
Centering Culture in Learning
TL;DR: Centering culture in learning experiences is important and should be a priority for all educators. The book “Unpack Your Impact” by Naomi O’Brien and LaNesha Tabb is a great resource for learning and implementing cultural inclusion in the classroom. Centering culture goes beyond surface-level activities and should be seamlessly integrated into practices. Culture is an integral part of identity … Read More
Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
TL;DR: May is Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. You can provide rich cross-curricular learning experiences on WW2 and the experiences, culture, and contributions of these groups. The month of May is designated as Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. During this month, we honor “the generations of … Read More
Spice Up Your Writing Block
TL;DR: Here is an inspirational, engaging writing activity to spice up your literacy program. Provide images for students to write creative captions. Provide an image for students to craft a news story or article for the newspaper. Compose captions for short stories with photos for students to match. Provide a photo and ask your learners to compose a conversation that … Read More
Why I Blog
TL;DR: Blogging is a way to share ideas and best practices with those who need help. Having a blog supports those who are struggling. It’s important to share failures. Why I Blog People often ask me why I blog. Of course, my instant response is to help those who may benefit from my ideas and best practices. But, reactions to … Read More