Regardless of the subject area, there are novels that can become a staple of classroom learning for your students that perhaps you have not thought of yet. In my own classroom, I have gone away from using textbooks as the main source of information.I look at textbooks as just supplying supplemental information to lessons, but they are definitely not the end all and be all of what should be taught in the classroom. After all, shouldn’t teachers have more of a say in what their students are … [Read more...]
How to Decorate Your Child’s Room for Educational Purposes
A child’s room is sort of their sanctuary away from the rest of the world. It is their place to be free from most supervision and judgment. Think of it as like their mancave. It matters to them how it is decorated and the vibes that it gives off. After all, I can still remember from back when I was a child and I had pictures of the Fonz and the Monkees hanging in my bedroom even though it was in the 1990s. But once again, it was my space to be free of the judging eyes of others. As … [Read more...]
How to Include 3D Technology into Learning
A friend of mine came over to my house last year with his latest gadget that he was trying out. He had been raving about it for the last couple weeks and felt I should give it a try. Most of the time when he gets like this I decide to just humor him and act like the new gadget is amazing, but this time I actually agreed with him. The new device he was showing me was 3D goggles attached to his cell phone.In the PastI was familiar with 3D just because of experiences I had when I was a kid. … [Read more...]
How the Internet Has Changed Education Forever
Can you recall the days back when you were in school when the internet had not been invented and computers in the classroom were an extreme rarity? I don’t think of myself as old, but our school district did not get their first computer lab until I was a senior in high school. I still remember having to run to the encyclopedias when I needed to write a paper or heading to the library to spend hours on end completing my research. Kids no longer get the joy of blowing the dust off the encyclopedia … [Read more...]
Tips on How to Improve Student Engagement in the Classroom
The question is on every teacher’s mind: How do we increase student engagement when attention spans appear to be getting shorter every year? It does not matter if it is elementary or high school, we are all facing the same difficulties with retaining pupil engagement in the classroom. We live in a society where all of us like to keep our cell phones in our hands at all time. And it starts now at a young age. This does not help improve attention spans in the classroom.Attention spans often … [Read more...]
Why Your Child Being Offered RTI in School Is a Good Thing
Response to Intervention (RTI) programs are offered in almost all school districts in the United States. It is a program that is intended to support children who are falling behind in certain subjects. RTI originally began with reading interventions, but since then, most districts have added math as well.The schools use a solid universal screener to test all the students three times a year, and then they determine which of the students need support by considering those scoring underneath … [Read more...]
Using Manipulatives to Improve Reading Skills
As a certified Reading Specialist with many years under my belt, I have worked with probably thousands of students who have struggled with reading.For one reason or another, they have a difficult time grasping the essential reading skills needed. After a few interventions with research-based strategies and activities, however, we usually improve their literacy skills so much that they quickly catch up and begin reading at grade level.A strategy that works well for younger kids is having … [Read more...]
Tips for Taking an Online Course
Taking a class online can be a time saver, perfect for the student who is already busy and who doesn’t have a lot of schedule flexibility. Not only does it save a trip to campus, it also allows you to work and learn from the comfort of your own home. With the benefits, though, come a few challenges so we present you with some helpful tips if you’re considering taking a course online.Self-Motivation: It’s important to realize that when you take an online class, you forfeit some of the … [Read more...]
Apps to Show Your Students Before Spring Break
Spring break is just around the corner for millions of students across the country. It is always a great time for parents to take a quick vacation with their kids. Although, not every child is heading out somewhere new and exciting. Most will be at home the entire week and their parents will be searching for something to keep them busy. Below are a few apps to tell students about before they leave your classroom for spring break. These educational apps will help reduce the amount of learning … [Read more...]
How Much Homework is Effective?
Long the bane of students’ existence, homework has been around pretty much since the beginning of time. The question, though, is does spending hours doing assignments at home reap significant benefits? It turns out that the answer to this question depends greatly on the age and grade level of the student. Below, we will explore homework’s place in a student’s life during their elementary, middle, and high school years.Elementary School: When kids are younger, homework may be less beneficial … [Read more...]
