Quick, Easy, and Engaging Arbor Day Activities

“He who plants a tree plants hope.” Lucy Larcom This year commemorates the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day. J. Sterling Morton spearheaded the planting of one million trees in Nebraska in 1872, leading to the formation of the Arbor Day Foundation one hundred years later to carry on his mission. Over time, the foundation has … read more »

Tips for Navigating Book Challenges

The challenging of books based on their content has a long history, but they have been a major news story this school year. The challenges are coming from a variety of sources—parents, school committees, politicians, community groups, and others. There are a variety of reasons for the discussion, but what do you do when books … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: GoNoodle – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to GoNoodle and discussed the application of both the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework in using GoNoodle in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom use ideas. GoNoodle:  GoNoodle does not require teachers to register, but signing up for a … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: GoNoodle – Part 1

GoNoodle is a free online resource that offers various interactive classroom “brain break” videos (and more) for educators to use in the classroom. The videos, designed for grades K–6, range from two-ten minutes and include exercises, dances, coordination, songs, and other activities. Use these videos to promote your students’ health, fitness, and mindfulness, or to reinforce curricular … read more »

Celebrate Women’s History Month!

March is Women’s History Month! The 2022 theme is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate women and their role in history and the world. Quality resources for teaching Women’s History Month are plentiful! Reading a book is a great way to learn more about women’s history! There are … read more »

Keep the Spirit of Invention Alive in Your Classroom

This week we celebrated Kid Inventors Day! As we experienced, Kid Inventors Day activities bring creativity, problem-solving, and fun into your classroom. So let’s keep the momentum going. If you have been looking for a low-barrier entry point to bring STEAM and Maker Education into your classroom, kid inventor activities are for you! What can … read more »

Bring the Sustainable Development Goals Into Your Classroom

Critical thinking, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, authentic learning—these are a few of the latest terms found in many discussions of education and teaching. It might seem daunting to address all of them, but some issues offer the opportunity to embrace these concepts by providing lessons with a larger frame of reference. One such frame … read more »

Reading and Winter Break

Winter break, a time for rest, relaxation, and reading! Students may not think of reading as their favorite use of time over break, but you can change that. Helping students formulate a plan and get excited about their reading choices will go a long way. Student reading choice is an important factor in encouraging students … read more »

Cross-Curricular Lesson Ideas for the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is the time of ending and beginning, a powerful time — a time to contemplate your immortality. A time to forgive, to be forgiven, and to make a fresh start. A time to awaken. Frederick Lenz It isn’t always possible to create well-developed cross-curricular lessons based upon a single theme. Still, many … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Animoto – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Animoto and discussed the application of both the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework using Animoto in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom use ideas. Animoto:  When you get to the Animoto site, click to Sign … read more »