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Can schools keep students focused with reductions to PE and recess?
Bob Kowalski EducationReductions in recess and cuts in physical education classes have effects that go beyond children's fitness. The lack of physical activity has a bearing on learning ability as well. That leaves educators in a quandary about how to increase movement while sticking to the lesson plan. Some are putting creativity to use in combining physical and mental health to get the most out of classroom time.
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Assessment for English learners: Content, language or both?
Erick Herrmann EducationAsk teachers about the importance of assessment, and they will likely begin sharing about their daily practice of checking student understanding and determining needed adjustments to instruction to help students achieve at higher levels, as well as the end-of-lesson, unit or term tests and assignments they give to see what students learned. The myriad standardized tests students take today will also likely be discussed, and how English learners and other populations are negatively affected by these assessments.
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The need for unified emergency communication in schools
Bambi Majumdar EducationSchool administrators, teachers and parents are increasingly concerned about the safety of their students and want to explore all opportunities to improve the existing security and communication systems in place. There have been too many campus incidents recently to remain complacent anymore, especially when it comes to emergency preparedness.
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What will the NCLB reauthorization mean for schools?
Brian Stack EducationToday, in a presentation to a group of South Carolina educators on competency education, Gene Wilhoit praised the House of Representatives for their overwhelming support of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which sailed through the House in a 359-64 vote. The bill is expected to have similar support in the Senate, and President Barack Obama has indicated he would sign it when it reaches his desk.
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Encouraging students with learning disabilities to talk
Pamela Hill EducationTalking is the most natural skill for almost every person. Talking begins early in development and needs little coaxing. There are some students with learning disabilities who are gifted at talking. By that, I refer to their natural desire to talk to anyone and about almost anything. Children have free rein to talk as long as they want and about any topic they are interested in — until they begin school.
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Teaching the ESL skills needed in the business world
Douglas Magrath EducationRather than just learning about grammar or words, ESL students must actually use the language to learn new material related to their future dealings in the business world. The core material should be authentic, with curriculum taken from the subject matter, so students use English as a tool to learn new information and interact with it, and the topics should fit the needs of the students.
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Reimagining the schools of tomorrow
Brian Stack EducationEarlier this fall, movie enthusiasts rejoiced at the arrival of Oct. 21, 2015, the actual date that a young Marty McFly traveled back in time to fictitious Hill Valley, California, to save his children in the hit 1989 movie "Back to the Future II." Director Robert Zemeckis introduced us to a world in 2015 that looked very different from the one we knew. Sadly, however, Marty McFly would find almost no differences in Hill Valley High School from 1989 to 2015. Why have we made so much progress as a society, yet our schools continue to operate in much the same way as they have for decades?
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Language register: What is it and why does it matter in education?
Erick Herrmann EducationMany teacher and parents today lament a lack of formality in student language, especially writing. Ask any educator about the use of so-called "texting language" in student writing, and you will likely see eye rolls, a pained look on their face, hear a sigh or complaint about the decline in language.
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5 easy digital tools to assess student learning
Savanna Flakes EducationThe goal of assessment is to improve instruction and provide student feedback. However, many of the standardized assessments take so much time to administrator and grade that many teachers often aren't able to use the data immediately in the moment.
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How to handle aggression and biting in the toddler classroom
Mara McElroy Spencer EducationWe have all had to deal with biting and aggression in the toddler classroom. And I'm sure you've had the endless parade of questions from the parents regarding this behavior: How did this happen? Were they being properly supervised? How was the other child disciplined? Will my child be bitten again?
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