Coding enables computer systems to fulfill tasks and reach objectives with ease. Programmers have been able to construct websites, design computer systems, develop mobile apps, and craft video games. Learning computer programming is becoming increasingly important in preparing for 21st-century jobs. By integrating coding activities into lesson plans, students can hone their problem solving skills… 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

Geography lessons today are more important than ever. As our world becomes more globalized, it’s crucial for kids to understand the places on Earth and their relationship with each other. It provides context about where we live and how we relate to people around us. It sparks curiosity about other cultures. And, ultimately, teaches that… Read More

Just over a year ago, I had the opportunity to go back to London, where I always make sure to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum. I actually went back a second time in the same week because they were having a limited-time exhibit, Winnie-the-Pooh: Exploring a Classic exhibition. The walls were full of sketches… Read More

What if instead of ignoring the huge, white, social media elephant in the room, you embraced it? As teachers, it’s important to prepare students not only for the world they live in but also for the world that’s ahead. And since the influence of social media is likely here to stay, why not use it… Read More

I’m not quite sure why I missed out, but I didn’t learn about the concept of celebrating the 100th day of school until my fifth year of teaching when I was in my twenties! I never celebrated a 100th day in school growing up. And then my first two teaching assignments were in failing schools… Read More

The days before break can be equal parts exhausting and exciting. It’s often hard to plan valuable learning experiences for students when they’re counting down the minutes till break. So what do most teachers do? Pop in a movie. Don’t get me wrong — there’s nothing wrong with movies. They can be very informational and… Read More

Great teachers are amazing people — constantly adapting, motivating, and inspiring young minds. Even to the best of teachers, though, it can seem difficult to take the time to cultivate what really matters when test time looms on the horizon. But studies show that instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity is far more important… Read More

Everyone’s heard a fellow educator say, “My students are so lazy!” It’s definitely frustrating when students moan and groan or fail to hand in assignments. Some say that teachers should never work harder than the students, and that school must be rigorous and demanding in order to prepare students for the real world. And of… Read More

Teaching via stations or learning centers feels familiar to elementary school teachers, but offering them in middle school may not feel entirely comfortable at first glance. I used to occasionally utilize stations to cover specific content very quickly but after I heard Catlin Tucker speak at a professional development seminar, I realized the potential impact I could… Read More

We all want to create engaging, memorable STEAM projects for our students, but finding the time and resources to do so can be a challenge. Many of us would love to get our hands on a 3D printer or a robotics kit but it might not be possible right now. Here’s the good news: you… Read More

STEM learning is largely about designing creative solutions for real-world problems. When students learn within the context of authentic, problem-based STEM design, they can more clearly see the genuine impact of their learning. That kind of authenticity builds engagement, taking students from groans of “When will I ever use this?” to a genuine connection between… Read More

Brighten up the dark and chilly days of winter with some hands-on tinkering, experimenting, and creating — in the classroom or at home. Check out these totally doable STEAM projects that put winter weather and winter challenges to the test so that students are inspired to collaborate and think critically and creatively during the winter… Read More

Whether your school has an established STEAM program or you’re finding ways to incorporate STEM or STEAM into your curriculum, building a partnership between your school and a STEAM organization can greatly benefit your learning community. For starters, a partnership builds a bridge between classroom learning and life outside of school, providing an opportunity for real-world… Read More