Discover the U.S. Patent Office for Kids

Did you know that many of the very first government departments, established by our first President, George Washington, remain in place today? On April 10, 1790, just under a year after his inauguration, President Washington signed a bill placing the foundation for our current patent system. This law, for the first time, gave the rights … read more »

Captain Critique’s War on Fake News: Join the Fight!

Technology has transformed how information is accessed and shared, bringing opportunities and challenges to our classrooms. In this wild west of the Internet, as educators, we find ourselves in serious need of superhero skills to empower students to thrive in a dynamic and interconnected world – where misinformation lurks in the shadows, emojis function as … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Do I Have a Right? – Part 1

iCivics’s Do I Have a Right? is an immersive role-playing experience designed to help students deepen their understanding of constitutional law. During the game, students assume the role of a lawyer establishing their own legal firm and get an opportunity to apply legal principles to real-life situations. Players delve into the intricacies of constitutional amendments … read more »

Let’s Talk About: Classroom Questioning Strategies

We know that asking questions is one of the most powerful ways to engage students, check for understanding, and deepen learning. But can we also use questioning strategies to change the culture of our classrooms?  How can we help students to begin asking and exploring their own questions? In this post, we’ll explore how to … read more »

Let’s Talk About: World Food Day

Food. It’s one of our most basic human needs, yet nearly 690 million people still go hungry. As students and teachers, we have an opportunity – and a responsibility – to understand these global issues and spark change. World Food Day on October 16th is the perfect time to engage students in learning that drives … read more »