Celebrate Public Service Day Virtually

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June 23 is Public Service Day. Created by the United Nations in 2003, this observance celebrates the value of public service to the community, recognizes the work of public servants, and encourages young people to explore public service careers. The implementation of social distancing guidelines creates obstacles to in-person celebrations and recognition of public service … read more »


Low-Tech and No-Tech Remote Learning Strategies

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Forced to abruptly transition from face-to-face to remote instruction with limited support, veteran and novice teachers strived to implement online environments conducive to active student learning. There are many factors educators need to consider to meet the needs of their students thoughtfully. We can celebrate that technology assists us as we navigate these challenging times. … read more »


Beyond the Oregon Trail – Using Simulations in the Classroom

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Do you remember playing The Oregon Trail game? For some students, it was the first opportunity to virtually experience the life of pioneers as they searched for a better life in Oregon. Players select from different options, including the traveler’s profile, date of departure to head west, money spent on goods, and more. Throughout the … read more »


Get Caught Reading in May!

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May is Get Caught Reading Month! Started in 1999 by the Association of American Publishers, Get Caught Reading Month is an annual celebration to promote reading. The observance is championed by Every Child A Reader, a literacy nonprofit, and kicked off by Children’s Book Week, which will be celebrated twice this year: May 4–10 will … read more »


National Kindergarten Day Lesson Plans From TeachersFirst

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Kindergarten children are confident in spirit, infinite in resources, and eager to learn. Everything is still possible. Robert Fulgham German educator Friedrich Fröbel, the founder of the first play and activity institute, was born on April 21, 1782. His institute, which opened in 1837, became known as ‘kindergarten’ or children’s garden. In the United States, … read more »


Rubrics to the Rescue When Teaching Remotely

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As educators provide lessons through remote teaching, one question is how to assess student learning effectively. Schools and districts are taking varying approaches. Some schools don’t have assessment policies; others have specific guidelines by grade level and subject for required assessment and recording of grades. One of the features of remote learning that many teachers … read more »


Using Technology for Virtual and In-School Math Groups

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As I write this blog, millions of students are out of school, some indefinitely, due to closures related to the coronavirus outbreak. Educators immediately jumped into action to provide at-home lessons for students. Some sent home learning packets; others didn’t even have time to prepare at-home materials yet have found ways to stay in touch … read more »


Three Powerful Resources for Using Poetry in the Classroom

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Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words. Robert Frost Next month is National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry and poets in the United States. Also, March 26 marks the anniversary of the birth of Robert Frost, the well-known American Poet Laureate over 100 years ago. As … read more »


Let’s Talk About: Curation for Knowledge Construction

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As teachers, we curate things all of the time.  Our Pinterest accounts have boards like “Makerspace Ideas”, “STEM Challenges”, “Bulletin Board Ideas”,  and “Word Walls”. Gathering, selecting, and organizing resources takes time, but allows you to hone in on the important nuances of a big idea that you are wrestling with.  It took me a … read more »