Remembering Pearl Harbor Using Choice Boards for Meaningful Learning

A date which will live in infamy Franklin D. Roosevelt Each year, we commemorate Pearl Harbor Day to remember and honor the 2,403 Americans killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This significant event led to the United States’s consequential decision to declare war on Japan and enter World War … read more »

7 Ways to Unleash Curiosity with Phenomena

In a recent post, we discussed how phenomena can transform teaching and learning by serving as a catalyst that sparks curiosity and student engagement. This idea translates across all grade levels and subjects because it presents students with real-world situations and questions that ignite imaginations and inspire inquiry-based learning.  To effectively integrate phenomena into your … read more »

The Power of Retrieval Practice for Long-Term Learning

Every minute spent studying should strengthen a student’s grasp of the material, yet many common review techniques leave learners with a false sense of mastery while doing little to cement long-term understanding. In this post, we’ll explore how retrieval practice—a research-backed learning strategy that asks students to actively recall information—boosts retention, and we’ll share practical … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Kialo Edu – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Kialo Edu. We discussed applying the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework using Kialo Edu in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom ideas.  Kialo Edu is an online platform for educational use designed to facilitate structured … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Padlet – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Padlet. We discussed applying the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework using Padlet in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom ideas.  Padlet: If you are new to Padlet or a frequent user, you have likely noticed … read more »

Celebrating Children’s Book Awards in the Classroom

Randolph Caldecott, born on March 22, marks an opportune occasion for celebrating the world of children’s literature! What better way to honor his legacy than by engaging in captivating classroom activities centered around award-winning children’s books? Incorporating these books and their respective award celebrations into your classroom is a powerful way to inspire a lifelong … read more »

Let’s Talk About Tech Tools for ELA Workstations

After seeing all of the Read Across America posts this past week, I decided to focus my post this month on reading. I want to share some ideas on using technology to support reading instruction in ways that follow strategies and the science of reading framework. The science of reading framework includes the latest research … read more »

Igniting Curiosity: Stories and Resources for Celebrating Women and Girls in Science

“If you know you are on the right track, if you have this inner knowledge, then nobody can turn you off… no matter what they say.”  Barbara McClintock, cytogeneticist and winner of the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine As we approach the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11th, … read more »

Let’s Talk About: Oral Language Development

Oral language development is a crucial part of the Science of Reading. The science tells us that while phonics, decoding, and sight recognition (the lower strands on Scarborough’s Reading Rope) are foundational, students will only become fluent readers with appropriate language development. Language skills help students to understand and discuss texts. Weaving oral language development … read more »

Embrace the Fun of Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have tea with Winston Churchill, debate philosophy with Socrates, or hurtle into the 23rd century to see if flying cars have become a reality? Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, celebrated annually on December 8, grants you a passport to explore these whimsical adventures. … read more »