Bringing the Gettysburg Address to Life With Video

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November 19 marks the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address given by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. This extraordinary speech is taught in classrooms around the country as an example of a powerful speech that shares the principles of democracy and freedom during a difficult time in American history.   Although relatively short (about 2 ½ minutes), this … read more »


3 Unique Resources for Spanish Language Learners

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¡Hola! September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. It is during this time we recognize the many contributions and history of the American Latino community. This month-long period also celebrates the independence days of several Central American countries.  A search on TeachersFirst reveals well over 100 resources tagged for Spanish content. Also, our … read more »


Engaging Students with Scavenger Hunts

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You might not know that August 19 is Geocaching Day. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt where players use GPS devices to find hidden containers located around the world. Hidden locations vary from easy to find areas to those that are more isolated and involve planning and preparation to access the site. Items found in … read more »


5 Steps to Planning a Successful School Garden

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  To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. ~Audrey Hepburn   April is Gardening in Schools Month and now is the time to start planning and preparing for your school garden. Maybe you have created school gardens in the past, or have considered it. Either way, careful preparation is key to getting off to … read more »


Teaching Tolerance

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Genuine tolerance does not mean ignoring differences as if differences made no difference. Genuine tolerance means engaging differences within a bond of civility and respect. RICHARD JOHN NEUHAUS Merriam Webster Dictionary defines tolerance as “the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular, the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree … read more »


Hidden Treasures for Sharing Dreams and Goal Setting

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On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King’s historic I Have a Dream speech in Washington, DC was crucial in bringing nation-wide attention to civil rights issues. His dream of equal rights for children and adults of all colors continues to inspire people around the world in their goal of peaceful coexistence of all people. It … read more »


10 Resources to Celebrate the National Day of the American Cowboy

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When someone talks about cowboys, what comes to your mind? Maybe you think of wide open spaces where cowboys ride their horses and guide cattle toward their ranch. Perhaps it reminds you of songs with a western twang and folksy appeal. Others immediately reminisce upon childhood memories of watching T.V. westerns like Gunsmoke, The Lone … read more »


Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Through Service for Others

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Every year, on the third Monday of January, our nation stops to honor and recognize the contributions of Martin Luther King Jr.  His “I Have a Dream” speech urging all people to fight peacefully for democracy and brotherhood is known by all, and is the basis for many classroom lessons on MLK and Civil Rights. … read more »


Have You Heard? Teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.

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  This quote expresses a sentiment that resonates with me. We, in education, are change agents.  Whether we are classroom teachers guiding learners or ed tech coaches leading teachers to implement technology in the classroom effectively, we must engage and inspire in a way that fosters growth and the desire to change. Students need to … read more »