Getting Started with Research

Now that most of us are well into the first quarter of the school year, many teachers have assigned students their first significant formal research assignment for the year. English teachers and school librarians love academic research or at least don’t dread it! Most teachers know they should be giving students an opportunity to work … read more »

Take 5: EdTech Temperature Check with Susie Highley

This month’s ‘EdTech Temperature Check’ in five questions takes us to the Crossroads of America, Indiana. Meet Susie Highley, veteran middle school educator, media specialist, former science teacher, and tireless advocate for education. A co-founder of edCampIndy, co-author of Teaching 2030 and member of the SFL K12 Advisory Council, Susie is always on the lookout … read more »

Media Literacy in a Presidential Election Year

Bombarded by television ads in this presidential election year, especially in battleground states, many of us tend to press the mute button on the remote or change the station. However, as teachers, we should be thinking about the messages our students are getting when watching TV and as they live their everyday virtual lives. Media literacy, … read more »

Developing a Growth Mindset through Three-Minute Journals

One of the hottest topics in education is Growth Mindset. Inspired by Stanford University psychology professor Carol Dweck, it is the belief that the brain is like a muscle that can grow stronger through hard work. An article published in U.S. News and World Report provides more information on this topic including information on how … read more »

Have You Heard? If they can do the worksheet, they don’t need it…

It is the start of a new school year. May this be your most wonder-filled, rewarding and empowering yet. At the beginning of each new year, we plan — we plan for the use of instructional strategies that have improved student learning in the past, and we plan for the implementation of newly acquired strategies as … read more »