Edutopia | WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation

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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

Teacher leading a class in dance with arms outstretched

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Five Keys to Successful Social and Emotional Learning

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How to Thank a Teacher

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You'll find practical classroom strategies and tips from real educators, as well as lesson ideas, personal stories, and innovative approaches to improving your teaching practice. If you have any thoughts or comments about these blogs, please don't hesitate to let us know.

Assessment

How to Make Writing Research Papers Relevant for Students

Bob LenzSeptember 28, 2009

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, High (9-12)

In my last post, "Preparing High School Seniors for College," I outlined the College Success Portfolio, a performance-assessment system used at Envision Schools. We developed this system because we believe students demonstrate college readiness not only by passing rigorous courses but also by actually producing college-ready academic work, demonstrating 21st-century leadership skills, and mastering college-level work habits.

Education Trends

Can Electronic Reading Devices Replace Classroom Texts?

Owen EdwardsSeptember 25, 2009

Tags Mobile Learning, Technology Integration, All Grades

And now a few words about the book, that ancient medium we've all encountered, with ink on paper pages, a front and back cover, and pleasure, or knowledge, or provocation, or even a certain necessary tedium stored within.

Teacher Leadership

Ways to Work Smarter as a Teacher

Maurice EliasSeptember 23, 2009

Tags Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, All Grades

Have you heard Lou Holtz? He was a football coach, most notably at Notre Dame, and now is an analyst for college football on ESPN. But his most important role is as a motivational speaker. Actually, I would say he's more of an accomplishment speaker.

Student Engagement

Challenging Students to Think More Deeply

Ben JohnsonSeptember 17, 2009

Tags Student Engagement, Teacher Development, All Grades

You lower yourself into the cage and tie your hand to the back of the big brown bull, which snorts with anger and irritation as they cinch the rope. You are careful to keep your legs from being smashed between the pen wall and the jittery 1,300-pound bull.

Assessment

The Benefits of Taking Students Outside to Inspire Writing

Stephen HurleySeptember 15, 2009

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Place-Based Learning, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Middle (6-8), Visual Arts

The following quote is one of the first things my eighth-grade students see when they walk into their classroom in September:

Teacher Leadership

When Celebrities Fall Short as Role Models

Betty RaySeptember 15, 2009

Tags Mentoring, Teacher Development

In the world of stupid celebrity antics, this last weekend saw two of the more obnoxious outbursts in recent memory.

How to Deal with Emotional Response to September 11

EdutopiaSeptember 11, 2009

Tags , All Grades

Every September 11, I read a news story that connects me to the grief of a stranger. Today, it was one about Alissa Torres, a woman widowed on 9/11 who still clings tightly to her dream that there was, somehow, beauty in her husband's death.

Student Engagement

How the Internet Can Help Kids Build Their Vocabulary

Jim MoultonSeptember 11, 2009

Tags Student Engagement, Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades

Editor's Note: Updated May 26, 2011

I like words. I do a lot of writing and public speaking, so this makes sense. Do you like words? Do you wish your students liked words more? I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favorite word-centric, Web-based resources, and see what other folks can share back.

Teacher Leadership

A Teacher's Take on Obama Speaking to Schoolchildren

Heather Wolpert-GawronSeptember 9, 2009

Tags Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades, California

So, President Obama addressed the children of our schools on Tuesday, speaking about the value of education and encouraging students to work hard. The controversy leading up to the live speech really made me see red, not about those who instigated it but about those who gave in to its blackmail of bias.

Education Trends

Schools Shouldn't Have Blacked Out Obama's Speech

EdutopiaSeptember 8, 2009

Tags Student Engagement

With all the hubbub of September, many of us found ourselves dealing with an unexpected issue -- the decisions of our local school districts not to air President Obama's back-to-school speech. Regardless of your political leaning, we hope you'll agree with us at Edutopia that it's a sad day when society limits the ability of our president to talk to young children, future citizens, about the importance of working hard in school and pursuing dreams.