Even if you are an educator yourself, choosing the perfect gift for your child’s teacher can be HARD! You want the gift to show your appreciation for all of his/her hard work. Adding a personal twist makes it even better. Finding something that they don’t already have and finding a gift that teachers actually want is the icing on the cake. But, how do you do that? Let’s face it, choosing the perfect teacher gift can be HARD and often ends up with teachers getting yet another coffee mug! Check out this guide to make your teacher gift giving easier and find gifts that teachers actually want.
Classroom • Curriculum & Instruction
October 3, 2022
Standardized testing has fueled a national debate in the last few decades. Some argue that standardized tests narrow the curriculum and encourage teacher-centered instruction. Many parents also don’t feel comfortable with the fact that their children are being judged on the basis of tests that puts too much emphasis on test scores, and too little on personal background, innovation, and critical thinking. In this post, we will answer the question, “Why does the United States use standardized testing?”
February 17, 2022
Teaching is a challenging job. Even before entering the classroom, teachers have to prepare schedules, lesson plans, and homework. They experience a mixed bag of feelings throughout their career: disappointment, frustration, joy, love, and triumph. Fortunately, there are books that provide real stories, tips, and motivation that will make teaching easier and more effective. The following is a list of the 10 best education books to read in 2019.
October 3, 2022
It is extremely important to keep control and manage your class to be able to teach effectively. However, learning how to reduce misbehavior in the classroom can be quite complicated. Consistency is key. You should have a plan of action for those who overstep the boundaries. Build relationships with the students that help them to learn while managing their emotions. Positive relationships help students grow emotionally and allow them to make decisions responsibly when it comes to their interactions in the classroom. More importantly, you should keep students engaged and focused.
March 23, 2022
Everyone experiences trauma of various degrees during their lifetime and how we cope with them can depend on the severity of the trauma and the support given thereafter. Childhood trauma is often misunderstood or overlooked in a belief that since the child is young, they will either not remember the trauma or not understand what has occurred and so be less affected by this. This can result in trauma related disorders that can affect them in a myriad of ways as they mature.
October 3, 2022
There have been a number of studies over the past decade on the prevalence of depression and anxiety among students. It was found that around 25% of students have a diagnosable mental health condition. Of these students close to half of them do not seek treatment or ask for help. More than 80% struggle to cope on a daily basis and 50% suffer from such intense anxiety or depression that they fail in their studies or achieve much lower results than they would be capable of achieving under normal circumstances.
April 14, 2022
How to Increase Student Engagement in the Classroom
Student engagement involves activities that can generate high-quality learning. If students are not engaged, they are not paying attention to the lesson and their minds are wandering off, losing valuable learning time as a result. To address this problem, teachers should adopt innovative ways to promote student engagement.
Classroom • Social-Emotional Learning
March 27, 2023
7 Tips on How to Achieve a Happy Classroom
A happy classroom is every teacher’s dream. This can be achieved without compromising academic results and the personal growth of your students. So how do you balance happiness and learning? Read on to learn tips on how to achieve a happy classroom.
March 27, 2023
Mindfulness in Schools – Relaxation and Awareness
What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is a technique or practice of being aware of each moment and creating a relaxed state of mind. When applied in schools, mindfulness can increase children’s self-confidence and performance in class.
The goal is to become more aware of thoughts and feelings. You do this in a non-judgmental way, so instead of being overwhelmed, you’ll be able to manage them better. The technique also involves breathing exercises commonly used in meditation or yoga. If this sounds vague to you, read this article to gain a better understanding of mindfulness.
November 4, 2020
What is STEM? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; a term used when addressing curriculum choices in schools, with the goal of improving competitiveness in the fields of science and technology.
Instead of teaching the four disciplines as disconnected subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive field of study based on real-world applications. Many educators are familiar with this acronym, but really, what is the importance of STEM?
