Amp Up School to Home Communication

A new year is a time for reflection and resolutions. Perhaps you have taken the time to reflect upon your teaching and want to make some changes. One area all teachers should think about is how well they effectively communicate with parents and family members as part of their ongoing efforts to make all students … read more »

Learning History Through the Stories of Powerful Women

“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” Madam C. J. Walker Have you heard of Madam C. J. Walker? She is famous for being one of the first African-American female millionaires. With … read more »

Bringing the Gettysburg Address to Life With Video

November 19 marks the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address given by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. This extraordinary speech is taught in classrooms around the country as an example of a powerful speech that shares the principles of democracy and freedom during a difficult time in American history.   Although relatively short (about 2 ½ minutes), this … read more »

3 Must-Have Resources for National Family Literacy Day

“No skill is more crucial to the future of a child than literacy.” Los Angeles Times November 1st kicks off Family Literacy Month with National Family Literacy Day. These events highlight the importance of family literacy programs. Typical activities include inviting family members to the school to read to students, book drives, celebrity readers, and … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Story Maker

Story Maker is a simple digital storytelling tool for elementary students to write a story. Students can practice their writing skills, add color, add additional pages, and then save (or print) when finished. Story Maker is part of the ABCya site, offering countless free web games, interactives, and learning experiences.   Grade level Story Maker … read more »