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

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School Transformation Through Arts Integration at Bates 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 Project-Based Learning

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Use PBL to Innovate the Music Classroom

Andrew MillerMarch 5, 2012

Tags Arts Education, Curriculum, Integrated Studies, Project-Based Learning, , Student Engagement, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Music

Happy Music in Our Schools Month! I wrote in a previous blog, Visual Arts as Critical Thinking, that I was a vocal jazz nerd (and still am to some extent). Music was crucial to my growth. When I was going through some rough times as a high school student, it kept me in school.

Blended Learning: Adding Asynchronous Discussions to Your F2F Classrooms

Eric BrunsellMarch 2, 2012

Tags Blended Learning, Classroom Technology, Project-Based Learning, , Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

This post was co-authored with Elizabeth Alderton, Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
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We have all done it: "participated" in a face-to-face discussion, nodding along in agreement, but not really present. Many of us have sat in discussions, afraid to throw in our two cents because we might sound silly. On other occasions, we have had a fantastic idea to share, but the conversation passed by before we had a chance to contribute.

Classroom Champions Inspire Students

Alissa WrightFebruary 28, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Integrated Studies, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), English Language Arts

As teachers, we must be able to think on our feet and have creativity constantly flowing to make our classroom inviting and interesting, while also making sure our students leave with more knowledge and insight than when they started with us.

Service Learning Case Study: The Answer to Our Educational Woes in 10,000 Cookies?

Jim BermanFebruary 27, 2012

Tags Career and Technical Education, Project-Based Learning, Service Learning, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, High (9-12)

Some answers are so obvious that they elude us. Some answers are devastatingly apparent but require a new set of eyes to see. Take the classic conundrum that we all face: How best do we learn? What cutting-edge, flavor du jour will have us whittling away our time at the next professional development stint? What rip-the-top-off-and-dump-it-in practice works best?

Finding the Genius in Hip Hop Education

Suzie BossFebruary 20, 2012

Tags Achievement Gap, Arts Education, Curriculum, Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Urban Schools, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades, Music, Visual Arts

Author and educator Sam Seidel recalls meeting a student during a tour of the High School for the Recording Arts (HSRA) in St. Paul, Minn. When Seidel asked if he could buy one of the student's instrumentals, the young man told him no, but maybe they could work out a licensing arrangement. Then the student whipped out a contract.

Authentic, Hands-on Learning with Career and Technical Education

Jim BermanFebruary 15, 2012

Tags Career and Technical Education, Classroom Technology, Differentiated Instruction, Integrated Studies, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, High (9-12), Science

Career and technical education (CTE), formerly known as "shop class," is not limited to sawdust and greasy wrenches. It can be those things, but it can also be Biomedical Engineering, Food Science Theory and Application, Digital Media and Carpentry; all noble callings that are ripe with the potential of fruitful careers in the job market.

Program or Be Programmed

Mary Beth HertzFebruary 14, 2012

Tags Digital Divide, Game-Based Learning, Media Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Just recently I was lucky enough to attend a Hackjam session at the wonderful Educon conference here in Philadelphia. After we hacked Monopoly by reinventing the game, we were introduced to the tool Hackasaurus, which allows students to not only see, but manipulate the code on a website.

The Power of Project-Based Writing in the Classroom

Heather Wolpert-GawronFebruary 13, 2012

Tags Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts

As some of my readers may know, I had an awakening of sorts this past summer: I am NOT going to teach so test driven, I told myself. I'm tired of the five-paragraph essay! Where does it exist anywhere but in school? Instead, I decided, that everything I did this school year would have some connection to the world outside of school.

Students Standing Up to Bullying and Hate

Suzie BossFebruary 10, 2012

Tags Bullying, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades, California

It takes courage to stand up to a bully or challenge hate speech. On K-12 and college campuses across the country, students and educators are coming together as "upstanders" to change their communities for the better. Their stories of everyday heroism are highlighted in a compelling new documentary and accompanying educational campaign called Not In Our Town: Class Actions.

Teaching with Google+

Terry HeickFebruary 9, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Integrated Studies, Online Learning, Project-Based Learning, , Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Google+ Parts

Google+, as you likely know, is Google's own foray into social media.

As much the digital overlap of Google Search, Docs, Calendar, and Gmail software as it is a response to Facebook, Google+ has strong potential application in formal learning environments. First, a look at what makes Google+ tick.