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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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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.

Preparing Students for STEM Careers

Bob LenzAugust 24, 2010

Tags Teacher Development, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Math, Science

As summer winds down and we prepare for a new school year, I would like to share a letter one of our veteran math teachers, Stephanie Lundin, sent to the summer staff at Envision Schools. Stephanie received her BA and MA from UC Davis. She has taught math for seven years, four at Envision Schools. Coaching students through the Envision Schools Graduation Portfolio Defense has been her most meaningful teaching experience.

Interview 2.0: Using Social Media to Prepare Students for the Workplace

Andrew MarcinekAugust 21, 2010

Tags Career and Technical Education, Comprehensive Assessment, , Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

"Please submit a letter of interest and a resume by mail only. No electronic submissions will be accepted."

- In the comments section listed below, please list your first impression of this statement.

Help Students Set Up an Effective Writing Routine

Todd FinleyAugust 16, 2010

Tags Curriculum, Dropout Prevention, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts

For students to write with ease and creativity, it is helpful for them to understand writing processes and writing routines. The paragraphs below take up the latter.

Using Literature the First Weeks of School

Elena AguilarAugust 13, 2010

Tags Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts

As a teacher, on the first day of school, I wanted my students to know that in my class we would read a lot and we'd read great literature, literature that would help us understand our world better, and ourselves.

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?

Integrating Technology with Limited Resources

Mary Beth HertzAugust 11, 2010

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Curriculum, Digital Divide, Funding, Online Learning, Primary (K-2), Professional Development, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, History, World Language Learning

OK, so you know about all of these great tools out there that can transform teaching and learning in your classroom but all you have is an ancient PC in the corner of your room. How can you effectively integrate technology with this dinosaur?

Hopefully this post will help.

Do Standards Kill Creativity?

Claus von ZastrowAugust 10, 2010

Tags Brain Research, Comprehensive Assessment, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Science

I'll spare you the suspense. The answer is an emphatic no. In fact, strong content standards can support creativity in our schools. Standards can get a bad rap because they conjure specters of standardization, uniformity and dogma.

The TEAMS Model: Unifying Arts, Academics, and Career and Technical Education

Jim Brodie BrazellAugust 6, 2010

Tags Dropout Prevention, Integrated Studies, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades, Math, Florida, Science, Visual Arts, New York, Texas

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