Sally Ride, Women in STEM, and Tips for Creating a Successful Biography Unit

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“I did not come to NASA to make history.” Sally Ride She may not have come to make history, but she certainly did. May 26 is Sally Ride Day, celebrated on the anniversary of her birth in 1951. Most of us recognize Sally Ride as the first American woman to go to space. Her first … read more »


Quick, Easy, and Engaging Arbor Day Activities

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“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 »


Jazz it Up! Ideas for Jazz Appreciation Month

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What type of music is your favorite is your students’ favorite? Jazz probably isn’t the first genre that comes to mind, but April is a great time to explore all it has to offer. Jazz is an immensely popular and uniquely American form of music. Originating in New Orleans late in the 19th century, jazz … read more »


International Holocaust Remembrance Day

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Each year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes International Holocaust Remembrance Day on or about January 27. It serves as a reminder of the Holocaust, a tribute to the victims of the atrocities, and a time for UNESCO to reaffirm its commitment to countering antisemitism and other forms of racial intolerance. … read more »


Bring the Sustainable Development Goals Into Your Classroom

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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 »


Fly High With Airplanes and Choice Boards!

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Do you use Choice Boards? If you find them interesting but still need some more information, let’s take a look at one example of how to get started in a way that incorporates science and STEAM activities based upon significant dates in history and student interests. December is a significant month for aviation history. On … read more »


Cross-Curricular Lesson Ideas for the Winter Solstice

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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 »


Storytelling and The National Day of Listening

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November 27 is the National Day of Listening. Celebrated each year on the day after Thanksgiving, it’s a time to gather families and friends for the specific purpose of recording and sharing histories and stories for preservation. Launched in 2008 by StoryCorps (reviewed here), this observance falls at a time when many families are together, … read more »


Digital Citizenship Week Resources for All Grade Levels

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A digital citizen is “a person who develops the skills and knowledge to effectively use the internet and other digital technology, especially to participate responsibly in social and civic activities.” Dictionary.com Digital Citizenship Week is celebrated annually during the third week of October and encourages reflection upon the use and interactions with technology. October is an excellent … read more »


National Bullying Prevention Month

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October is National Bullying Prevention Month. It is a month-long effort to focus on and raise awareness of the short and long-term negative impacts. The statistics on the prevalence and effects of bullying on our students are frightening. Consider these facts published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Nearly 20% of high … read more »