How to Make Math Word Problems More Engaging for Students
Word problems can improve math’s relevance to students by connecting to their interests or showcasing practical applications, explains Kevin Dykema, president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and an 8th grade math teacher at Mattawan Middle School in Michigan, in an article in K-12 Dive. To engage students, consider using artificial intelligence to…
Adopting Science of Reading to Curriculum
For decades, disputes over how best to teach students to read have divided teachers, scholars, and policymakers: phonics or “whole language”; “balanced literacy” or “structured literacy;” how about “phonemic awareness” and “foundational skills”? Many Philadelphia teachers, for example, received scant training in their preparation programs in explicit reading instruction. In the classroom, they were often…
Addressing Students’ Lack of Focus
Twenty-six percent of public school leaders reported that “a lack of focus or inattention from students” had a “severe negative impact” on learning during the 2023-24 school year, according to new National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data, as reported in Education Week. This number spiked to 75 percent when school leaders were asked if…
Make Parents Aware of Mental Health Resources in Schools
A recent national survey by Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) reports that less than 20% of parents are aware of all the mental health resources and services that schools provide to support children’s mental health and well-being, according to Education Slice. Schools can address this lack of awareness by following the lead of AFHK. The…
How to Help Teens Access Mental Health Support Online
More than half of teens and young adults use apps for mental health information and support, according to a recent Common Sense report, as reported in Education Week.The report found almost two-thirds (65 percent) of teens and young adults have searched online for any behavioral health topics; more than half (54 percent) say they have…
How to Improve Attendance for Students with Disabilities
An essential part of addressing chronic absenteeism is creating an inclusive school experience for students with disabilities, writes Dr. Kara Stern, director of education and engagement at SchoolStatus, providing K-12 data-driven solutions addressing communication and attendance, in an eSchool News article. Recent data shows students with disabilities miss substantially more school compared to their peers. In…
Employing Washers and Dryers to Battle Chronic Absenteeism
A pair of clean pants and a shirt is such a struggle that it has become one of the main contributors to chronic absenteeism at 112th St. S.T.E.A.M. Academy in Watts, CA says Principle Jose Hernandez in an article in The 74. Hernandez and his staff have been helping families work through this issue for…
Embedding the Human Element of Teaching
Since the November 2022 launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, an expanding cast of AI tutors and helpers have entered the learning landscape, according to The Hechinger Report. Most of these tools are chatbots that can generate quizzes, summarize key points in a complex reading, offer step-by-step graphing of algebraic equations, or provide feedback on the first…
How to Help Students Focus on One Positive Experience a Day
Speakers at the National Conference on School Leadership, hosted by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, highlighted the need to embrace positive mindsets and lean on sources of support, as reported in K-12 Dive. When students leave the school building at the end of the day,…
How to Use Blended Learning for Diverse Learning Styles and Better Student Outcomes
Here are some facts, trends and advantages about blended learning–also known as hybrid learning, according to eSchool News: What are the five pillars of blended learning? Five important components and advantages of this learning modality are face-to-face instruction, online learning, flexibility, personalization and integration. What is the strength of blended learning? Blended learning extends personalized…
