Introduction Good character traits, such as respect, cooperation, and honesty, are arguably the most important things that children need to learn. These traits and others help students make good choices, develop self-esteem, and become responsible citizens and caring individuals. While many schools are successfully implementing character education lessons into their curriculum, children are most […]
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The Importance of Handwriting in Today’s Classrooms
In today’s world, it is not uncommon for children to simultaneously learn how to interact with tablets and smartphones while also learning how to grasp various forms of pencils and crayons. As a result, there have been some states and districts that have experimented with the phasing out of penmanship, arguing that it is […]
3 Ways to Improve Focus & Attention in the Classroom
Just in time for back-to-school check out these great tips on how using sensory strategies may help with attention and focus: 1. Allow opportunities for movement! Many students today do not get enough vestibular (movement) input in their daily life due to decreases in physical education, recess and free time play. Swings, trampolines, bicycles […]
Preparing Your Classroom: A Few Things Your Student with Special Needs Wishes You Knew!
1. Fluorescent lights bother me! It seems like they are blinking and/or buzzing and they make for extra glare on my paper. If you have a classroom with access to natural daylight (windows or skylights) please consider turning off the overhead lights at different intervals during the day. If this is not an option then […]
5 Collaborative Art Projects: The Ultimate Icebreaker!
The first day of school can be daunting for students, particularly younger students. Art is a wonderful way to calm the nerves, and collaborative art projects get kids working together. As with adults, the benefits of student collaboration are nearly endless. Collaborating takes the pressure off perfection while introducing students to each other’s unique […]
The Benefits of Structured Physical Activity for Early Childhood Programs
Structured physical activities are usually led by a qualified adult and include organized sports, guided play, and school PE programs. Structured activities are important throughout a person’s life, but they play an essential role in early childhood—from birth to about age five. These are very tender years for a child. What they learn at […]
Five Days Out: What You Need and What You Need to Get Done
There’s only a week left until school starts and it seems as if you’ll never get everything done. Here’s a helpful list to make sure you’ve crossed everything off your list, as well as some suggestions of tools or materials you can use to get them done. Five days out: Get your tech in […]
Early Childhood Classroom Prep: 10 Must-Have Supplies
Walk into your classroom on the first day of preschool week prepared for anything! These common sense items for your early childhood classroom will help you prep to avoid distractions and keep your focus on the teaching task at hand. 1. Measuring Tape When setting up your room or putting up decorations, it’s difficult to […]
Art Lesson Plan: Cross Contour Geologic Tiles
Incorporating art education to transition from STEM to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) continues to gain momentum. That’s why we bring you the Cross Contour Geologic Tiles art lesson plan! If adding one more activity into your jam-packed, STEM-based curriculum gives you instant anxiety, you can take a deep breath, because we’ve […]
The Next Buzzwords You Need to Know Now
Education is a business of buzzwords. It’s the only way to boil down complicated theories, pedagogies, and trends into concepts that can be conversed about without a PowerPoint. To make matters worse, the educational sands are always shifting, taking the concepts along with them. Here are the education reform topics that are on the horizon […]
The Ideal Classroom for Collaboration
Picture your favorite classroom from when you were in school. Did it help you work with other people or keep to yourself? Was the teacher able to work with everyone individually or stay up at the front of the room lecturing? Most importantly, was the work you accomplished in this room engaging or boring? […]
The Signs You Need in Your Classroom
Children are process-oriented beings. They are also very forgetful. These two factors combine in a need to guide your students around the classroom in a foolproof manner. Signs that outline every possible task can make a big difference in clearly stating your expectations and hopefully stemming off-task behaviors. For all of these signs, use […]