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Project-Based Learning: Success Start to Finish at Manor New Technology High School

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Tips for Teaching Grade School Students How to Make Global Impact

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A Parent's Guide to 21st-Century Learning

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Get support and guidance from change makers who are organizing and implementing real improvements to our educational system.

July: The Ultimate Planning Period

Terry HeickJuly 16, 2012

Tags Best Practices, Professional Development, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, All Grades

July is traditionally considered leisure time for educators and the educated -- teachers and students alike. Beaches and books, pools and picnics.

And for good reason. The workload of any teacher or administrator can be difficult for those outside of education to fully appreciate.

Resources for Teaching Middle School

Elena AguilarJuly 16, 2012

Tags Curriculum, Teacher Development

A student I taught 12 years ago (when she was in the sixth grade) emailed me recently sharing that in the fall, she will become a middle school English teacher. "That was the best year of school for me," she said, "I just want to help other kids have an experience like that." I was thrilled; what more could I want?

Hip-Hip Hooray for Summer! Three Tips to Spark Your Learning

Lisa Michelle DabbsJuly 11, 2012

Tags Online Learning, Professional Development, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, English Language Arts

When I was a kid, some of the things I enjoyed most about summer were swimming and banana splits! Yes . . . you heard right. Banana splits! They were my fave summer treat for many years, and I will always remember them with great fondness. As this summer has started, I've seen my PLN (personal learning network) sharing great ideas of how to spend the time in fun and frolic! I've also seen great ideas posted about how to get the most out of our summer learning time. I share this simply to say that as we seek ways to do some summer learning, we need to do it in a way that (like my banana splits) we will remember fondly.

Teachers: Are You Taking Time Off This Summer?

Elena AguilarJuly 6, 2012

Tags Teacher Development, All Grades

When people ask me if I'm taking some time off while school is out, I respond, "a little," being intentionally vague. I'm embarrassed, actually, that I'm taking so few days off this summer (a total of eight, really).

"It's my choice," I add. "This is self-imposed." But is it, I wonder?

How an Ocean's Journey Inspires One School

Bob LenzJuly 3, 2012

Tags Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Hawaii

Aloha! This past year, our new division, Envision Learning Partners, has been partnering with educators in Hawaii to bring education, Envision Style, to the youth of the islands.

Aloha! This past year, our new division, Envision Learning Partners, has been partnering with educators in Hawaii to bring education, Envision Style, to the youth of the islands. Read More

The Connected Science Teacher

Eric BrunsellJuly 2, 2012

Tags Biology, New Teachers, Professional Learning Network (PLN), , Teacher Development, Chemistry, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Science

It's summertime: time to relax, refresh and get connected. Joining an online community of science teachers is a great way to find resources, inspiration and like-minded colleagues to collaborate with as you re-tool your courses for the next school year. The list below is a good starting point to find a community or two that meets your needs. However, the list is not exhaustive. Use the comment section to share any online groups or communities that you find valuable!

The Extraordinary 2012 Graduates — and Their Teachers

Bob LenzJune 21, 2012

Tags Teacher Development, High (9-12), All Grades

Social media has been in a buzz with David McCullough Jr.'s Commencement Address at Wellesley High School in Massachusetts: "You're not special!" If you have not read it yet, here is a brief overview from Valerie Strauss's Washington Post blog (with a link to McCullough's speech).

ISTE 2012: A Suggested To Do List

Elana LeoniJune 20, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades

It's June, and one of the biggest edtech conferences in the US is quickly approaching -- ISTE's annual conference & exposition in San Diego. I don't know about you, but I always get nerdily excited for opportunities like this to network and collaborate with likeminded folks passionate about education. ISTE currently has almost 700 sessions available to attend, some buzz-worthy keynotes including Sir Ken Robinson and Dr. Yong Zhao, and a HUGE edtech expo. With all of these events going on, it can be overwhelming to even the most tech-savvy educator. So, I've compiled some useful tips from my experiences at ISTE that can help you make the most of your trip.

Intervention for Gifted Students

Ben JohnsonJune 12, 2012

Tags Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), All Grades, Texas

His name was Kevin (a pseudonym). He had red hair and freckles with a slight build. He was confident and well spoken (perhaps outspoken). He was probably the smartest student I had ever seen. His mother was divorced and worked a horse training operation by herself. Kevin had to take care of his two younger siblings. Every one of his middle school teachers complained about him. His attendance was horrible, but that is not why teachers disliked him.

Student Voice and the Teaching of Democracy

Mark PhillipsJune 8, 2012

Tags Classroom Management, Integrated Studies, Leadership, , Student Engagement, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), History

School's out. Politics is in. Five months of presidential political combat lie ahead. So I'm psyched to revisit the challenge of effectively educating kids to be active participants in our democratic processes. I plan to post a number of columns over the next months that focus on student voice, the teaching of democracy, civic engagement and political literacy. I'm hoping some of you will join the discussion and toss in your two cents.