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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Student Engagement

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Get advice from educators on how to build a positive climate for learning, improve student curiosity, and enhance classroom collaboration.

Beyond Q+A: Six Strategies That Motivate ALL Students to Participate

Maddie WitterFebruary 25, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Classroom Management, , Student Engagement, All Grades

Do you have students who rarely raise their hand when you ask a question? When I think back about kids in my classroom who didn't participate at first, I remember Jared and Maya (whose names I changed). Jared was polite, listened to his classmates, and did his homework. But when I asked questions or set up class discussions, Jared remained silent. Maya was really creative and an avid reader. She also didn't participate, frequently had her head down in class, and was reluctant to start work. Some of our students might sit quietly through each lesson or be visibly disengaged. Maybe they don't understand the lesson, are embarrassed, or hesitantly wait for another peer to share. Jared and Maya certainly aren't unique.

Empowering Students Through Empathy and Collaboration

José VilsonFebruary 21, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Student Engagement, All Grades, Math

Every year around this time, my students come together and collect all the monies donated within our school for Penny Harvest, a program by Common Cents, Inc. that serves to help schools create service learning projects for children. It starts with young leaders prompting others in the school to make donations to a cause of their choice, but it often evolves into community service projects.

Activity Speaks Louder Than Words: Improving Student Engagement

Kendell DorseyFebruary 20, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Classroom Management, Student Engagement, All Grades

Think about the level of cognitive engagement that occurs with each activity in this list:

Watching/listening
Notetaking
Notemaking
Discussing
Summarizing

The learning style of your students plays a key role with things like "watching/listening." For example, I realize as I get older that I am definitely a visual learner. I often can't remember a name until I see it in print. So, it would not benefit me as much to be in an environment where most learning occurs through listening.

Beyond the Book Report: Ten Alternatives

Elena AguilarFebruary 19, 2013

Tags Curriculum, Literacy, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

In my last post I described 10 ways to cultivate a love of reading in kids. I want to expand on that theme by suggesting 10 alternatives to the book report. I'm not a fan of book reports; I don't think they are an effective way for a student to demonstrate understanding of a book and I don't think they help students enjoy or appreciate reading.

Oscar Week Special: Seven Teaching Resources on Film Literacy

Matt DavisFebruary 18, 2013

Tags Current Events, Integrated Studies, Lesson Plans, Media Literacy, Open Education Resources, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

The Academy Awards are just around the corner, and there are a number of nominated films that can be great teaching tools for educators this year. It looks like it might be a big year for Steven Spielberg in the classroom and on Award night -- his Lincoln has been nominated for 12 Oscars, including Best Picture.

How Do Teachers Really Want to Spend Money?

Ben JohnsonFebruary 14, 2013

As a teacher, if your principal gave you a $500 budget, what would you buy? Would it be books, consumables, or software subscriptions? Would it be hands-on learning tools or equipment?

Ten Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading in Students

Elena AguilarFebruary 13, 2013

Tags Literacy, All Grades

As a teacher, I was obsessed with cultivating a love of reading in my students. I love to read, loved it as a kid too. I'm equally compelled to ensure that my own child loves reading -- and he does. I well aware that I'm on a mission -- but I also know it's a worthy one!

Presidents' Day: A Life Lesson for Students

Maurice EliasFebruary 12, 2013

Tags Lesson Plans, All Grades

As Presidents' Day is upon us, every student at every grade level should participate in an academic lesson related to our nation's leaders. There are four questions I would like to see every student in every grade asked, with appropriate follow up:

Seven Super Bowl Lesson Plans and Resources for the Classroom

Matt DavisJanuary 29, 2013

Tags Current Events, Lesson Plans, Open Education Resources

This week, there might be a bit of Super Bowl energy and excitement running through your classroom, and there are a number of great ways to wrangle those murmurs into teachable moments.

Six Teaching Tools for Black History Month

Matt DavisJanuary 28, 2013

Tags Current Events, Lesson Plans, Open Education Resources

Although Black History Month provides a great opportunity for students to explore black history, it's important that teachers "reinforce that 'black history' is American history," writes Pat Russo in Dos and Don'ts of Teaching Black History Month. Keeping that in mind, in February, teachers can dig deeper into the history, provide students context, and connect the past to the present.