AI Literacy Starts Here: Practical Classroom Approaches for Middle School

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Digital Citizenship, Media Literacy | Tags: , ,
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Middle school students are shifting from passive consumers of technology to active, engaged digital citizens. They’re building their perspectives, experimenting with social media, and discovering the power of their voices. Teaching AI literacy means more than showing them how to write prompts — it means demystifying the technology and pulling back the curtain so students … read more »

Every Voice Matters: Using Inquiry to Bring All Learners Into the Conversation

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: ,
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How often does this happen in your classroom? You pose a thought-provoking question, and before you even finish the sentence, the same two or three hands are already straining toward the ceiling. In the front row, you have Lexie, who thrives on the quick-fire rhythm of a live discussion. But in the back corner, there’s … read more »

Fairy Tales, Fables, and Myths, Oh My!

Author: Erin Mulvany-Mankowski | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: ,
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“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”—Albert Einstein February is full of love, pride, historical connection, celebration, and the annual observation of a precognitive weather-forecasting rodent—but it’s also the birth month of a storytelling legend. Whilem Carl … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Adobe Podcast – Part 2

Author: Melissa Henning | Posted:
Categories: Tech Tool of the Month | Tags: , , , 1 Comment

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Adobe Podcast and discussed how to use the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework with Adobe Podcast in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this resource and shares classroom ideas that support all student learners.  Adobe Podcast’s free version offers a … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Adobe Podcast – Part 1

Author: Melissa Henning | Posted:
Categories: Tech Tool of the Month | Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Adobe Podcast gives students a powerful way to capture, create, and share their ideas in meaningful and engaging formats. This free, web‑based tool allows learners to produce professional‑quality audio without needing specialized equipment, making podcasting accessible to classrooms of all kinds. With features like automatic noise removal, editable transcripts, and intuitive editing tools, Adobe Podcast … read more »

Open-Ended Questions: A Powerful Tool for Language and Vocabulary Development

Author: Jennifer Williams | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: ,
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When teaching children, especially young learners, questions are more than just a way to check for understanding. They’re a gateway to deeper thinking, richer conversations, and meaningful learning. But not all questions are created equal. Open-ended questions, which invite more than a simple “yes” or “no,” encourage children to reflect, express themselves, and explore ideas. … read more »

Celebrating Girls in Science and Engineering Through Hands-On Learning

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , ,
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Observed annually on February 11th, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science globally acknowledges the vital contributions of women and girls to STEM fields. This day offers an opportunity for educators to highlight famous women in science and also create learning experiences that engage students in hands-on learning activities. As students participate in … read more »

Dig Deeper: Research Strategies That Strengthen Digital Storytelling

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , , ,
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Students open their laptops, type a topic into Google, click the first three links, and boom—they believe they’re “done with research.” The result? Their digital stories feel flat and predictable, filled with the same surface-level information anyone could gather in seconds. Digital storytelling has real potential to engage students, but only if there’s solid research … read more »

It Takes a Village: Inclusive Communication Strategies for Every Family

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , ,
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If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to support that child’s parent. Ann Douglas Consistent and meaningful communication between teachers and families helps students thrive academically and socially. Mid‑year is an ideal time to reconnect with parents and guardians and reestablish touchpoints so everyone can continue working together to … read more »

Building Daily Routines That Make Executive Function Skills Stick

Author: Traci Hedetniemi | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , 2 Comments

In Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, we introduced and defined core executive function (EF) skills and highlighted Chrome browser tools that support students in developing these skills. We are now ready to focus on the critical step of implementation. We’ve established that executive function skills are teachable – not fixed traits; the … read more »