Budget cuts have been happening for quite some time and when programs are axed, the arts are usually the first to go. We live in a time when the arts aren’t appreciated as much as they used to be. Students are not given the chance to form opinions about art, music and theatre simply because […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Social Studies
Where Are You From? Connecting Students to the World
Our students often have a difficult time connecting to the big world outside their everyday lives. I had a rich and in-depth activity that I loved to do with my students to allow them the opportunity to connect themselves to a bigger world and to each other. It often resulted in comments like these: “My […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
The Basics of Writing
It’s no secret that writers are readers. Anne Lamott, American novelist and non-fiction writer, said “What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
The Importance of History in the Elementary Classroom
This past week marked the thirteenth anniversary of 9/11. My first and second graders haven’t a clue about what this terrorist attack on the United States meant. Some adults still don’t realize it either, for that matter. Sometimes it’s difficult for me to remember that these kids are only six and seven. I liken it to […]
Posted inClassroom Management, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum
Simple Student Hacks for Elementary Teachers
Education is personal and teachers work with an ever-moving target of standards and expectations. Throw children into the mix and there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Each student comes into the classroom with their own history, experiences, needs and circumstances. We have students who “fit the mold” of a learner. These students learn in many situations, […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion, Uncategorized
Concurrent Enrollment Conundrums
Many states offer concurrent enrollment, also known as Dual Enrollment (DE) to high school juniors and seniors. This consists of the school district paying tuition for a set number of college hours each semester as long as the student meets the district’s GPA and graduation track requirements. These college hours count towards high school graduation […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Mathematics
Addition and Subtraction of Fractions
For many topics in mathematics teaching the concept before the algorithm can lead to deeper learning. Teaching addition and subtraction of fractions with different denominators is one such topic. Using pattern blocks for this topic gives students a visual representation that they can translate to the algorithm for this topic. You may want to review […]