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

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Blogs on Upper Elementary (3-5)

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Getting Started with Technology Integration in Your Classroom

Mary Beth HertzJuly 15, 2010

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Curriculum, Integrated Studies, Primary (K-2), Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Since I have started this blog in the summertime, I figured it would be appropriate to start discussing, thinking about and planning for the coming school year. As such, this post will focus on planning curriculum, projects and lessons that are aligned with technology standards.

Using Kites to Teach Science

Dr. Katie KlingerJuly 14, 2010

Tags Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5), Science, Hawaii

I continue to be amazed at the high quality articles in our local in-flight magazine. Hawaiian Airlines should receive a medal every year for their astounding Hana Hou magazine, which fortunately for everyone "off island" is also featured online.

Romeo and Juliet for the 21st c.: How One Teacher Created a Drama Club and Made Shakespeare Hip

Betty RayJuly 6, 2010

Tags After-School Learning, Primary (K-2), Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Visual Arts, Pennsylvania

Editor's Note: Our guest blogger today is Erika Saunders who teaches 6th-8th grade special ed-learning support and mentally gifted kids at Joseph C. Ferguson Elementary School in North Philidelphia.

"If you build it, they will come." Not only does this apply to baseball fields and ghosts of players past, but also to theater and students. At least it does at Ferguson.

Technology in the Elementary Classroom

Mary Beth HertzJuly 2, 2010

Tags Classroom Technology, Comprehensive Assessment, Online Learning, Primary (K-2), Professional Development, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Visual Arts

Welcome to the first post of many that I will be sharing about using technology in the elementary classroom.

First, a little about me.

Personalized Learning and the School of One

EdutopiaJune 11, 2010

Tags Classroom Management, Dropout Prevention, Integrated Studies, Primary (K-2), , Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), New York

Personalized learning has been a lot on our minds at Edutopia lately. We just launched some major coverage on Forest Lake Elementary School in Columbia, South Carolina -- a kind of "little school that could" for differentiated instruction. It's an earnest, humble place (except for the slew of awards touted on the façade) full of earnest, humble people who are simply determined to teach each child as a unique individual. Through strong leadership, dogged grant-writing and constant collaboration, they've done it.

Can Schools Alone Save Struggling Communities?

Claus von ZastrowMay 21, 2010

Tags After-School Learning, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Michigan

Here's how John Cooper of the Sundance Film Festival described a new documentary on public schools: "It's an analysis of how bad neighborhoods don't necessarily create bad schools, but bad schools create bad neighborhoods... ."

This strikes me as an oversimplification -- and possibly a harmful one at that.

iPod, iListen, iRead

Milton ChenMay 17, 2010

Tags Classroom Technology, Mobile Learning, Primary (K-2), Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), English Language Arts, California, Oregon

The learning landscape is shifting under our feet. It's an exciting and momentous time for technology advances in learning, from the explosion of interest in online courses to free videoconferencing to powerful new devices at lower cost, such as the iPod. Having worked in educational media and technology beginning in the 1970s, I dare say that more change has happened in our field in the last four years than the last 40.

How to Engage Young Students in Historical Thinking

Elena AguilarApril 8, 2010

Tags Primary (K-2), Student Engagement, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), History

Last week over breakfast, my six-year-old son declared, "George Washington was a good president."

Are Schools Responsible for Teaching Manners?

Owen EdwardsJanuary 22, 2010

Tags Primary (K-2), , Upper Elementary (3-5)

"I look at [the tape], and I'm like, 'That is not me.' I have so much regret. I can't believe I did that. I let myself and my character not live up to what I should live up to and what I can live up to."

How Does Your School Garden Grow?

Suzie BossNovember 4, 2009

Tags After-School Learning, Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5), California

On a crisp fall morning, I watched students at Lewis Elementary School, in Portland, Oregon, roll up their pant legs and wade barefoot into piles of sand, clay, straw, and water.