As Americans, we often take for granted that the 9-month long school year is simply a thing of fact. We enjoy our leisurely summers, planning long vacations to the beach, overdue family reunions, and long days of fun in the sun. Teachers use this time to recharge, rest and begin their planning for the fall [...]
As a student today, you are living with more information at your fingertips than any previous generation. Just twenty years ago, students had to spend hours upon hours in libraries looking up physical copies of magazines and newspapers stored on giant rolls of microfilm just to find out it didn't contain the information they needed [...]
This is the time of year where students start to get spring fever. As the weather starts to warm up and Springtime offers a world of new possibilities, students start to shut down. It is simply the cyclic nature of the learning process and a consequence of the school calendar, but although their minds are [...]
As they grow, children are (consciously or subconsciously) taught to conform to rules and boundaries, and not to question for fear of displeasing others or being mocked. Without even realizing it, adults often curb their curiosity and critical thinking, in place teaching them conformity and acceptance of what they believe is right. Even in school, [...]
Keeping students motivated is an incredibly important part of being an effective teacher. Students' potential to learn is almost endless as long as they can stay motivated to continue working hard—especially in the face of difficult problems. Grades are the classic way to motivate students. Traditionally, good grades have been held out as a kind [...]
Today's educational world has parents more involved than they ever have been before. For one thing, the pressure to know what's going on with their children's grades has gotten much more intense. There's a sense that every class (even in elementary and middle school) is a make-or-break moment that could prevent the child from progressing [...]
Thanksgiving is over, and the end of the semester looms. You want to be able to buckle down and finish strong as you prepare for final exams. Thus far, your pattern of learning has included learning for a few weeks, then sitting down for a test. During the semester, these tests evaluate your short-term memory. [...]
In a world of snaps, tweets, and texts, it's no wonder many students struggle with writing. In an academic environment, this is particularly frustrating for students and teachers alike. Students often struggle to express themselves in the long-form fashion expected in school, while teachers lament the difficulties involved when helping students who struggle with writing [...]
For every teacher and administrator in our school, the goal is to build an environment where every student is able to achieve their maximum potential. That goal isn't as simple as it sounds! Some kids are able to get A's without putting in any effort at all. Other kids struggle to get B's and C's [...]
The holiday season is upon us and now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time for students to get focused and finish the semester strong. There are many distractions this time of year and it can be a real challenge to stay focused. Here are some tips for students who desire to stay the course, work [...]
