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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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Virtual Schools: From Rivalry to Partnership

Tony BaldasaroMay 30, 2012

Tags Blended Learning, Charter Schools, Education Reform, Integrated Studies, Online Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

As a junior in high school, I was finally able to enroll in the photography class. Offered only every other year, this was the only time the course was available to me (it was not open to freshman), and since there was only one section, the period three class was my only shot.

So, when my guidance counselor pulled me into his office on the second day of school to tell me I had to drop photography to take a more college-friendly Spanish class, I knew my opportunity was lost. This was in 1988, five years before Mosaic was introduced to the world, seven years before Netscape made the World Wide Web available to the masses, and a decade before virtual schooling was an option. Unless I could find a private mentorship, my only access to formally learning photography was period three during my junior year of high school and, since I had to take Spanish, that was no longer an option for me.

Six Engaging End-of-Year Projects

Rebecca AlberMay 21, 2012

Tags Student Engagement, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

I don't know about your students, but so many of mine, coupled with Senioritis, were DONE after state testing. (The well had run dry, no blood from a turnip -- all those sayings applied!) With just a few precious weeks left in the school year, what do you do to keep the kids energized and onboard with learning?

Using Technology to Teach Health and Wellness

Mary Beth HertzMay 17, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Health, Nutrition, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Physical Education, Science

We often see applications of digital technologies in the core subject areas like literacy, math, science and social studies, but how can digital technologies be applied in other areas? Since the days are getting warmer and swimsuit season is upon us, I figured that I'd share some resources for teaching health and wellness in the classroom.

Summer Learning Tips

Danielle Moss LeeMay 17, 2012

Tags After-School Learning, Lesson Plans, Parental Involvement, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Math, Science

As we glide through the month of May, I know that many teachers and students are steadily dreaming of how to spend their summer vacations. Some will be off to sleep-away camp, some will travel to faraway places, and many others are still trying to figure it out. But for many families, the summer will also bring a level of anxiety. In the age of budget cuts, the opportunities for quality programs and government subsidized summer jobs will be few and far between. According to the National Summer Learning Association, many low-income and underserved students will face two to three months' summer learning loss in reading and math, while affluent and better resourced students may show slight gains in reading over the summer because of their access to summer enrichment.

What does this mean?

Fostering Relationships in the Classroom

Larry FerlazzoMay 16, 2012

Tags Classroom Management, Diversity, Primary (K-2), , Student Engagement, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), World Language Learning

Students and teacher need to develop positive and trusting relationships in an effective classroom. It is also critical that all students, especially English-language learners, develop trusting and enriching relationships with each other. There are many activities which can be used for both introductory purposes and throughout the year to build and maintain positive relationships in the classroom. Some activities which work well to introduce students to each other and to the teacher can be used again at later points in the year as students' interests change and as they gain new life experiences. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, it contains several suggestions we have found successful and which could easily be adapted for use with different levels of students.

The Homework Trap

Kenneth Goldberg, Ph.D.May 15, 2012

Tags Homework, Mental Health, Parental Involvement, , Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

As a clinical psychologist, I don't have strong opinions about whether or not homework should be given. I have doubts about its value, but I believe in deferring educational decisions to those who teach our kids. My concern is not homework, per se, but homework policy and its effects on some kids. I believe that anywhere from 10 percent to 25 percent of all children have such serious problems completing their assignments that, on balance, the overall effect of demanding that they comply does more harm than good. In speaking to countless parents and teachers, the feedback I get is nearly universal. Everyone has a homework horror story to tell.

Leading the Way in Social, Emotional, and Character Development Standards

Maurice EliasMay 14, 2012

Tags Curriculum, Primary (K-2), , Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), All Grades, Kansas

In 2012, Kansas became the first state to create and adopt a set of social, emotional, and character development (SECD) standards. These standards have been aligned with the Kansas Common Core Curriculum Standards, College and Career Readiness, 21st century skills, and other state and federal mandates.

Behind the Next Generation Science Standards

Eric BrunsellMay 11, 2012

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Curriculum, Education Reform, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Science

The public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards were just announced at http://www.nextgenscience.org/. Public comments on this draft will be accepted over the next three weeks. A second public draft and comment period will occur in late fall. Background information on NGSS can be found here.

Sendak: Where the Wild Rumpus Began

Gaetan PappalardoMay 9, 2012

Tags Literacy, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), English Language Arts

For my son, Max

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Artist: Pearl Jam
Album: Vs.
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When I started teaching twelve years ago I found a copy of Where the Wild Things Are in the library left to me from the previous teacher. It is a 1965 edition of the book (I guess the value just went up). I remember sitting on the carpet and reading it. It was the beginning of my teaching career. Now years later I'm only realizing the true power of Wild Things. As authors and teachers, we wish to leave an impression, a footprint, behind that says, "I was here." Now I get to read Wild Things to my son and daughter and students so they too will someday pass it along as well. Thank you, Maurice. Let the wild rumpus begin!!!