Tag: classroom

Celebrating the Power of Geekness: Bringing It into the Classroom and Beyond!

Author: Erica De Los Santos | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , ,
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Yesterday was Embrace Your Geekness Day, a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the power of being a geek and embracing our unique identities tied to geekdom. Whether you geek out over superheroes, science fiction, educational technology, or any other niche, it’s a reminder that our passions and interests make us who we are, and they … read more »

Creating a Community of Learners

Author: Kevin Bower | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , ,
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“Classroom structures and processes need to tend to the emotional well-being of everyone rather than just on covering the day’s lesson plan.” Zaretta Hammond Establishing a classroom culture built on community is fundamental to developing the students’ social and emotional skills throughout the school year. In the quote above, educators are encouraged to create an … read more »

What Culturally Inclusive Toys are in Your Classroom Toybox?

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
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“Toys are children’s words and play is their language.” Garry L. Landreth When you think about Barbie®, what image pops into your mind? Is it the iconic doll with the blonde ponytail and slim figure? Perhaps you conjure up a picture of Barbie with her many accessories that include a beautiful Dream House, her perfect … read more »

International Polar Bear Day

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
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February 27 is International Polar Bear Day. This day offers an opportunity to pay attention to polar bears and the dangers they face due to climate warming. It is also an excellent way to engage students with real-world connections to animals, climate, environment, habitats, and more.  One way to engage students in learning is by … read more »

Teaching Students to Create Media Responsibly

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Media Literacy | Tags: , , , 1 Comment

Today, teaching students to create media is not enough. Students must learn to create media responsibly. What does it mean to create media responsibly? According to Common Sense Media, teaching media literacy helps students to “Create media responsibly (by) Recognizing your own point of view, saying what you want to say how you want to … read more »

Teaching Contemporary Propaganda

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: ,
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Propaganda is a word that usually brings to mind historic posters and speeches used to convey political messages, especially during wartime.  According to the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Propaganda is “Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.” As educators, we need to recognize that … read more »

Teaching About Diversity in Media

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Media Literacy | Tags: , ,
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Diversity in media is all about recognizing that multiple perspectives should be present in media, and if they aren’t then seeking out more diverse perspectives is warranted. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED Talk, “The Danger of a Single Story,” is a shining explanation of why diversity in media is a must and why we must not … read more »

10 Ideas for Teaching About Flag Day (even if you are out for the summer)

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , ,
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Flag Day falls on June 14 and it provides opportunities for teaching about American history using the flag as a focal point. If your school is still in session, it is easy to find and plan lessons for Flag Day; however, with many schools on summer break, it is more difficult to reach out to … read more »

Blast Off to the End of a Successful School Year!

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: , , , 1 Comment

The stars don’t look bigger, but they do look brighter. Sally Ride Sometimes getting through to the end of a school year is difficult. You’ve used up your “bag of tricks” and students are losing their focus. Consider this as the perfect time to try something new. Let’s take a look at how to learn … read more »

Fake News – What can we do about it?

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
Categories: Media Literacy | Tags: , , ,
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80% of middle schoolers mistake sponsored content for real news 3 in 4 students can’t distinguish between real and fake news on Facebook Fewer than 1 in 3 students are skeptical of biased news sources (ISTE Fake News Infographic 2017) As educators, what can we do to make sure our students are not counted as … read more »