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

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More School Time, Well Spent, Boosts Academic Achievement and Engagement at Edwards Middle School

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Five Keys to Successful Social and Emotional Learning

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How to Thank a Teacher

Blogs on Middle (6-8)

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Year-End Tech Reflections

Nicholas ProvenzanoMay 1, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Lesson Plans, Professional Development, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

As the end of the year draws closer, it is important for all teachers to start evaluating how things went. One part of this evaluation should be the use of technology. Much as a teacher will look back on the lessons that worked and did not work, it is just as valuable to look back on the technology tools that were effective and ineffective. As teachers, it's important to try bettering our craft, and reflection is one of the best ways to do this. Here are five steps to help make the technology reflection a bit smoother.

Combining SEL and Social Studies

Maurice EliasApril 30, 2012

Tags Lesson Plans, , Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Those of you working in social studies, history, and civics education will find that social, emotional learning (SEL) can help your students pull together what they are learning in engaging ways that also deepen their understanding of the material. I'd like to present a lesson you can use within the context of your current curricula.

Kids Speak Out on Student Engagement

Heather Wolpert-GawronApril 26, 2012

Tags Curriculum, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

A while back, I was asked, "What engages students?" Sure, I could respond, sharing anecdotes about what I believed to be engaging, but I thought it would be so much better to lob that question to my own eighth graders. The responses I received from all 220 of them seemed to fall under 10 categories, representing reoccurring themes that appeared again and again. So, from the mouths of babes, here are my students' answers to the question: "What engages students?"

Use Project-Based Learning to Meet the National Educational Technology Standards

Andrew MillerApril 25, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Media Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

The ISTE NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) are more than just simple content standards and learning objectives. If examined closely, they truly can foster an educational shift to engaging, relevant, technology-rich learning. In terms of project-based learning (PBL), the ISTE NETS, not only align, but can truly support a PBL environment. After my own examination, I felt we must have a #pblchat on the subject.

Matching Teaching with How Students Learn

Ben JohnsonApril 25, 2012

Tags Brain Research, Multiple Intelligences, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

What is a learner? A learner naturally observes and mimics. From the time we are born to the age of two, we are what you would call a learning machine. All humans during that time period are learning prodigies.

Trayvon Martin: The Wakeup Call to End Stereotype Threat

Becki Cohn-VargasApril 24, 2012

Tags Bullying, Diversity, Primary (K-2), , Urban Schools, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades

While some who hear the term "identity safety" automatically think it means protection against identity theft, that actually serves as a good analogy. A colorblind environment, where differences are left "at the door" is a form of identity theft.

Searching for Voice: The Colossal Failure of Free Writing Analyzers

Todd FinleyApril 23, 2012

Tags Integrated Studies, Lesson Plans, Literacy, Online Learning, Project-Based Learning, , Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts

"We want to find a person behind the pen." -- Professional Writing Retreat Handbook

Last weekend I attempted to draft an inspirational message for my English education majors. Maybe because I haven't yet mastered a grownup man voice -- I'm 48 -- or because of the paragraph's naked sentimentality, the passage sounded fake and bloated, like words pushed through a megaphone: too much volume, not enough texture, and a void where there should have been confidence. To find out more about what was missing, I turned to science.

What Are You Teaching Today? Poetry That Inspires!

Lisa Michelle DabbsApril 19, 2012

Tags Arts Education, Curriculum, Integrated Studies, Parental Involvement, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, , Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Visual Arts

Reading poetry is inspirational! And teaching it can be even more so. If you haven't thought about using poetry in your daily work with students, I really want you to re-think that whole idea today.

Act and Inspire: The Dual Roles of Schools in Environmental Protection

Anne OBrienApril 19, 2012

Tags Curriculum, Environmental Education, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

As we close in on Earth Day 2012, it seems fitting to reflect on the school's dual role in environmental protection.

Like all entities, schools have an environmental footprint. Those in the school generate trash. They use energy for heating, lighting, photocopying and so on. Schools are cleaned using chemicals that have environmental impacts. The list continues.

A (Very) Short Guide to Purchasing New Technology

Nicholas ProvenzanoApril 17, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

I wanted to share a guide I have created when it comes to deciding on new technology purchases. It might seem complicated, but if you follow it, everyone will be happy.