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

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Global Competence: Teaching Young Learners to Take Action for Worldwide Impact at John Stanford International School

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Quiet Transformation at an Embattled School

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How to Thank a Teacher

Blogs on California

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Not in Our Schools: New Media Tools Help Schools Confront Hate

Suzie BossSeptember 20, 2010

Tags , California, Montana, Ohio

Intolerance may be one of the oldest and ugliest stories on Earth. But when it comes to speaking up against hate speech, bullying, and bigotry, students and their communities are finding creative ways to craft an uplifting response. Increasingly, new media tools are playing an important role in these efforts.

A Handwritten Letter, With Love and Thanks, to My Students

EdutopiaAugust 24, 2010

Tags Leadership, Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), All Grades, California, Science

Last week at a family dinner my mom handed me a letter that had arrived at her house for me. Puzzled, I opened it -- and what I read made my mouth fall open with surprise and enchantment.

Case Study: TEAMS Model School - Clark STEM Magnet in Glendale, CA

Jim Brodie BrazellAugust 13, 2010

Tags Career and Technical Education, Dropout Prevention, Integrated Studies, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), California, Math, Science

Editor's Note: Today's guest blogger is Jim Brazell, a technology forecaster, author, public speaker, and consultant. It is the third in a five-part series on the convergence of STEM education and the Arts (TEAMS).

PBL Camp Concludes, but the Real Fun Is Still Ahead

Suzie BossAugust 11, 2010

Tags Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), California, Colorado, Georgia

Back in July, we kicked off Edutopia's first-ever Project-Based Learning Camp by posing a big question: How can educators turn the Gulf oil disaster into meaningful learning for students?

Using Student Trends to Engage Learners and Differentiate Instruction

Heather Wolpert-GawronJuly 29, 2010

Tags Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), California

For those of you not in the pen spinning loop, I'm talking about a craze that's preoccupying tween fingers all over the known universe, or at least in my district.

Learning Inside an Out-of-School Newsroom

Betty RayJuly 19, 2010

Tags After-School Learning, Career and Technical Education, Integrated Studies, Mentoring, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, High (9-12), California

Editor's Note: Our guest blogger this week is Elisabeth (Lissa) Soep, PhD, research director and senior producer at Youth Radio, a Peabody Award-winning, youth-driven production company in Oakland, California, with bureaus across the country and partners around the world.

Alternatives to Teaching Summer School

Rebecca AlberJuly 5, 2010

Tags Teacher Development, California

Budget cuts did not spare summer school. Along with furloughs, pay cuts, and layoffs, it's been canceled in some schools, even districts, across the country. Teachers working in these districts and schools are unable to rely on that additional, and often much needed paycheck. This definitely leaves some worried folks out there.

Lessons in Football, Math and Life: Remembering Charlie Wedemeyer

Ken EllisJune 25, 2010

Tags Health, Teacher Development, All Grades, California, Physical Education

Last Saturday, a celebration of life was held at the 19,000 seat HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, to honor former high school football coach and math teacher, Charlie Wedemeyer. Another celebration is scheduled this weekend in Honolulu, where Mr. Wedemeyer starred in baseball, basketball, and football at Punahou School and was named Hawaii's Prep Athlete of the decade.

Students Design World-Fixing Solutions

Suzie BossJune 23, 2010

Tags Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades, California

While World Cup fever sweeps the globe, another competition is about to get underway that promises to deliver even more thrilling results than a world-class soccer tournament. Finals of the Imagine Cup, taking place in early July in Warsaw, Poland, will bring together top student teams from 100 countries. Their challenge: use technology to solve some of the world's thorniest challenges.

On a Mission to Link the Body and Brain in Education -- One Push-up at a Time

EdutopiaMay 26, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Teacher Development, California, Physical Education

Editor's Note: Joel Kirsch, age 62, is two weeks into an arduous journey, half of it on his hands and knees, that could last four to six weeks more -- all in the name of better education.