Infusing SEL Into Everyday Instruction

It is critical to teach students strategies to deal with emotions and interact respectfully with peers. As a father of six, life can be crazy. My wife, also a teacher, enjoys our bedtime routine of reading aloud to our children. Recently, we read Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes. Lilly brings a purple plastic … read more »

Storytelling and The National Day of Listening

November 27 is the National Day of Listening. Celebrated each year on the day after Thanksgiving, it’s a time to gather families and friends for the specific purpose of recording and sharing histories and stories for preservation. Launched in 2008 by StoryCorps (reviewed here), this observance falls at a time when many families are together, … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Animoto – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Animoto and discussed the application of both the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework using Animoto in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom use ideas. Animoto:  When you get to the Animoto site, click to Sign … read more »

Tech Tool of the Month: Bookopolis – Part 2

In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to Bookopolis and discussed the application of both the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework to help you integrate Bookopolis into your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using this tool and shares classroom use ideas. Bookopolis:  As you arrive at the site, you … read more »

We Have Liftoff! Using Better Lesson to Teach About Space and the Moon

Did you know that dust busters, wireless headsets, and invisible braces link back to inventions initially intended for use in space? This interesting USA Today article shares more everyday innovations created for space use. July 20 is Space Exploration Day and Moon Day, which coincides with the annual commemoration of the first moon landing in 1969, Apollo … read more »