Tag: lesson ideas

New Season, New Possibilities: Teaching with Sesame Street

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application | Tags: ,
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Did you sing along with the lyrics above or simply smile as you read them? Since Sesame Street first aired on November 10, 1969, those iconic lines have welcomed generations of children into a world of joyful learning. Through music, storytelling, and beloved characters—alongside memorable guests like Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Gorman, and Simone Biles—the show … read more »

Day of the Dead: Building Family Connections Through Cultural Celebration

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
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Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that honors and celebrates deceased loved ones. Observed on November 1 and 2, this holiday blends Indigenous customs with Catholic influences, building a rich tapestry of rituals and symbolism. For educators, it’s an opportunity to explore themes of memory, family, and … read more »

Building Background Knowledge: The Overlooked Equity Issue in Our Classrooms

Author: Darshell Silva | Posted:
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When we talk about educational equity, we often focus on access to technology, culturally responsive curriculum, or closing achievement gaps. But there’s another, quieter equity issue that sits beneath all of those: students’ background knowledge. Every text a student reads, every math problem they solve, and every science concept they encounter draws on an invisible … read more »

World Food Day: Building Empathy Through Food Stories

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
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World Food Day, observed on October 16, offers educators a meaningful opportunity to help students explore the connections between food, culture, and empathy. While food is a shared experience across all cultures, access, traditions, and meaning vary widely around the world. Bringing stories about food into the classroom helps students learn to see beyond their … read more »

Beyond 10/10 – Making the Metric System Stick All Year Long

Author: Traci Hedetniemi | Posted:
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October 10 may be a perfect 10 out of 10 day for teaching about the metric system, but achieving fluency with measurement is a year-long task. October is an opportune time for this essential mathematical learning.  While students have been developing their number sense in other areas, now they can work on building a conceptual … read more »

Back to School Community Building Activities for Secondary Classrooms

Author: Erin Mulvany-Mankowski | Posted:
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“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou Ahh…it is the joyous, wonderful time of the year where teachers are running wild, preparing their classroom for the next group of minds waiting to discover their full … read more »

The Energy Detective Approach: How to Integrate SDG #7 into Any Classroom

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
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What if your students could become real-world problem solvers while mastering essential academic skills? By transforming your classroom into an energy detective headquarters, you can seamlessly integrate UN Sustainable Development Goal #7—ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all—into engaging, hands-on learning experiences. The energy detective approach converts abstract global challenges into … read more »

Creating Responsible Digital Citizens Through Digital Source Evaluation

Author: Erin Mulvany-Mankowski | Posted:
Categories: Classroom Application, Digital Citizenship, Media Literacy | Tags: , ,
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Digital citizenship has come into greater focus for educators over the years as misinformation has begun to dominate social media news feeds. According to a 2024 fact sheet from Pew Research Center, more than 54% of American adults receive their news from social media outlets, and we know this number is much higher for younger … read more »

Nature Photography Day: Picture-Perfect Ideas for K–12 Classrooms

Author: Sharon Hall | Posted:
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June 15 was Nature Photography Day, a perfect opportunity to combine creativity with curriculum while helping students develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. While the official day has passed, now is the ideal time to build on its excitement and momentum! Whether students captured stunning images yesterday or you’re looking to integrate photography … read more »

Making Math Meaningful: Reimagining “Real World” Problems in Math

Author: Traci Hedetniemi | Posted:
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The question, “When will I ever use this?” is common in middle and high school math classrooms. While students sometimes throw this question out when they want to dig in their heels and avoid work, it’s a valid concern that teachers need to address. Adolescent motivation wanes when the intent and purpose of learning don’t … read more »