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Embedding mindfulness into your school
Brian Stack EducationStress can be a normal part of life, but too much stress can become toxic to the body, the mind and the soul. This is true for both children as well as adults. Toxic stress can impede learning with students and erode productivity for teachers in the school. This can lead to burnout and compromise relationships between children and schools with parents.
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Google is dominating the digital ed curriculum
Bambi Majumdar EducationDespite concerns about K-12 budgets, plans to increase gadgets and digital technology tools in classrooms are pushing ahead full-steam. The largest technology companies in the nation are vying for the top spot in the K-12 classroom market like never before.
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Teaching English to deaf students
Douglas Magrath EducationAs I discussed in a previous article, the prelingually deaf often need ESL instruction since American Sign Language (ASL) is their first language. Many deaf people face the same issues as ESL students when they go through the educational process along with hearing students. The first language for many deaf students is American Sign Language (ASL); this is not English but a separate language. It differs from English in the same way German or French does.
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Am I providing ‘appropriate’ special education?
Pamela Hill EducationOn March 22, a Supreme Court ruling emphasized that schools that provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students who have a disability now need to view "appropriate" more critically. What does Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District mean for special educators across the country?
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Becoming a better teacher by being a student again
Sheilamary Koch EducationIn my free time, I’m taking a sewing class at a government-run trade prep school here in Mexico. As we approached the end of the term, the instructor asked to see the completed school uniform she’d assigned at the beginning of the term. Not a single student answered responded, and the teacher left the room without another word. It struck me how similar that scenario was to my interaction with my high school English students when it comes to their follow-through on assignments.
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Preparing to more effectively teach English learners next year
Erick Herrmann EducationAs the school year wraps up for many teachers this month, we begin the process of relaxing and rejuvenating so that we can be ready to start the new school year with a fresh group of students. Many, if not most, teachers also begin thinking about and preparing for the next school year as the summer progresses. Consider the following strategies and ideas to incorporate into your summer plans to be better prepared for your English learners.
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Adding ‘soft skills’ to report cards
Brian Stack EducationEvery weeknight, my kitchen table is a story of two boys raised by the same parents who approach their school work from two opposite ends of the spectrum. For my 11-year-old, homework time can’t end soon enough. My 9-year-old, on the other hand, has developed a series of coping strategies to help him persevere through challenging academic situations with grit and tenacity. These strategies did not manifest themselves on their own.
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The importance of building a trusting school environment
Mark S. Miller EducationTrust is such a small word, yet so complicated. The word trust has only five letters, but has a multitude of interpretations. Throughout one’s professional and personal careers, many will be asked to "trust" or believe. Some will do so without hesitation; others will be apprehensive. Why is there such a wide response to such a small word?
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States boosting K-12 funding across the US
Bambi Majumdar EducationK-12 funding has always been an area of debate, but perhaps never more so than this year. Within the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's administration, there has been a furor of concern over slashing education budgets across the country.
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Would families be more active without homework?
Bob Kowalski EducationA movement is afoot to remove homework from schools, and — believe it or not — it's not being led by a group of defiant fifth-graders. Parents and teachers across the country are questioning the value of the extra work and the strain on the schedules of students and their families. In some cases, teachers are leading the troops in what you might call a different type of "class" warfare.
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