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The reward of trying new things
Debra Josephson Abrams EducationCommunity outreach is one of my many responsibilities as an English Language Fellow. As such, I am invited to make presentations and give workshops throughout Moscow and central Russia. In late December, I taught three classes to 10th and 11th graders at Moscow's School #1253, a preeminent English language institution for students from primary grades through high school. The vast majority of students had never met a native English user, and all of them are in some stage of preparing for the high-stakes Unified State Exam (EGE), whose results "are now the only basis by which universities may enroll students."
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Considering the importance of creativity
Pamela Hill EducationAlbert Einstein has been credited with the phrase, "Creativity is intelligence having fun." Learning is hard work for students with learning disabilities, and most instruction for students with learning disabilities is very structured, direct, and scripted. However, many students with learning disabilities are very creative. They have the ability to "have fun" with their intelligence and develop creativity, but it must be welcomed.
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Preparing students for critical thinking: Challenges and strategies
Sheilamary Koch Education"Critical thinking is not a set of skills that can be deployed at any time, in any context. It is a type of thought that even 3-year-olds can engage in — and even trained scientists can fail in" — Dan Willingham, psychology professor at the University of Virginia.
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Teaching diverse students in an age of uncertainty
Erick Herrmann EducationSome would say politics have little, if any, place in the classroom, outside of social studies classes that are studying current events — especially when political ideas can be divisive, controversial or provocative. The current political stage in the United States, and perhaps all over the world, has some students stressed and nervous about what their fate is going to be.
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3 learning strategies to build a positive learning community
Savanna Flakes EducationIn a supportive, inclusive community, all students are valued members of a welcoming and responsive learning community. The teacher proactively cultivates community with and among students. Meaningful cooperative learning teaches students to be proactive learners, increases academic discourse and provides opportunities to build a positive classroom community.
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Increasing your students’ global awareness
Brian Stack EducationPresident Donald Trump's recent controversial executive order impacting both refugees and immigrants has raised concerns for educators on how their students view their global world. More importantly, teachers want to know what they can do to raise the global awareness of their students to help them become better informed, empowered and compassionate citizens of the world.
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New tool may be just what districts need to evaluate ed tech
Bambi Majumdar EducationThe digital revolution has seen new apps, mobile technology and other forms of digital tools constantly making their presence felt in the ed tech world. While we cannot deny their importance in education, it is rather hard to gauge which is the more useful and authentic tool to use.
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Preparing students for critical thinking: Foundational skills
Sheilamary Koch EducationThere is a great deal of discussion among teachers on how to get students to reason and think critically — and for good reason. With well-developed critical thinking, learners can better scrutinize information they encounter, think flexibly and make informed decisions instead of jumping to conclusions. These abilities are crucial both in and outside school especially as they mature and become immersed in a world full of complexities.
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Twice-exceptional students: Who they are and what they need
Susan Winebrenner EducationDo you know a student who demonstrates a dramatic strength in some area of learning, but who also clearly shows one or more equally dramatic learning weaknesses in other subjects or courses? Is that same student messy and forgetful, frequently describing various reasons why the absence of this or that assignment is not his or her fault? Such students are called "twice exceptional."
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What’s the cure for cyberbullying in schools?
Cait Harrison EducationMost of us can probably recall someone who tried to bully us during our school days. Back then, bullying incidents occurred mostly in person, where they could be witnessed by others — maybe even teachers or administrators. For today's students, it's not so simple. With the internet now woven into their social lives, they're susceptible to online bullying — cyberbullying — which has become more prevalent than ever.
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