Did you know that keyboards are one of the dirtiest accessories in your environment? According to a quick experiment conducted in 2008, it’s dirtier than the average toilet seat! And if you think toilet seats are gross, you wouldn’t want to know how many germs your keyboard holds. (Clue: it’s more than 7,000 microorganisms) So,… Read More

Our personalities can come out in many ways, and we tend to broadcast those personalities pretty loudly though the way in which we set up our spaces. From the colors we choose to the layout of the room, a classroom setup can be just as revealing about someone’s personality as the way in which they… Read More

Most teachers look forward to the ritual of setting up their classroom for back to school. Stapling up construction paper on bulletin boards, hanging up posters, organizing books and bins of supplies, and getting things ready for students is something of a ritual. But this year, many classrooms sadly sit empty, and many teachers are… Read More

Fill in the blank: The culture of my class is _____________________________.  What came to mind? Was it easy to define, or did you struggle to describe it? The beginning of the new year is all about starting fresh and setting norms, guidelines, and defining your classroom culture with students. But what does that look like… Read More

If there’s ever been a time when school-to-home communication needs to be strong, it’s now. With many schools moving to distance learning, parents are the key in supporting students with successful at-home learning. And we know that strong parent engagement drives improved student outcomes and performance (WestEd, Parent Involvement Project). But nowadays, family engagement looks… Read More

What are your “go-to” tech tools that you can’t live without? The ones that make teaching more efficient, effective, and engaging for students? Check out this list of five need-to-know tech tools. These tools can be used in face-to-face or distance learning, spanning most grade levels 3-12. All of the tools have fairly robust free… Read More

Are you a Zoombie? This fall, many classrooms are going 100% distance learning. Rather than preparing classroom space and walls to welcome students, teachers have been preparing their distance learning plans. Zoom has been adopted by many schools for distance learning. It’s because it’s easy to use, reliable, can be used on laptops, tablets, or… Read More

Education is an essential component of childhood development. Being a teacher, you’re an integral part of a child’s growth. If you are teaching a dyslexic child, you are even more crucial. It can be challenging, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity—for you and the student. The learning process for a dyslexic child is different. Their… Read More

From as early as the 1600s, book clubs have been a way for people to connect, reflect, and grow together. Book clubs have spanned mail-order businesses, bookstores, libraries, TV shows (thank you, Oprah!), and online forums. It is estimated that there are more than 5 million book club members in the United States alone.  As… Read More

As the summer draws to a close, schools are having to make difficult decisions about how they will operate to safely prevent transmission of COVID-19. In most cases, the strategy includes the introduction of remote classrooms. Online learning is not a new approach. Over the last several years, a robust and varied eLearning infrastructure has… Read More

Equity and equality are two different concepts that are often used interchangeably. Many people think that equity in education means everyone getting the same thing, but it actually means that everyone gets access to what they need. So how can we work to truly narrow the gaps and improve student learning? Let’s take a closer… Read More

From comprehending their lessons to answering questions you’ll ask, good communication skills are integral for any student’s success in the classroom. However, building these skills isn’t always a straightforward affair, as some students struggle with communication disorders. What are Communication Disorders? A student with communication disorders will find it difficult to interact at school, as… Read More

With the rush of everyday life constantly weighing on us, it’s easy to forget what are truly important: The small happy moments and the people we share them with. Especially during stressful times, taking a minute to reflect on the things that truly matter can help put situations in perspective.  It’s especially important for young… Read More

All together now! Don’t let the classroom walls or the length of hallway separate you from your colleagues. Share the love of teaching across curriculums with collaborative teaching! Collaborative, interdisciplinary activities deliver research-based benefits including: Critical thinking skills: By using approaches from different disciplines, students improve their critical thinking. Through careful analysis, processing, and making… Read More