Hand2Mind/Learning Resources have produced some very useful resources that can be used to teach the principles of Scratch and Scratch Jnr without needing to use a computer. Students will plan and build their own code sequences using the dry-erase coding blocks. With over 30 different colorful Scratch blocks from categories like Motion, Looks, Sound, Events, … Read more
Dear friends: I have loved blogging with Edublogs since the first post as a blogger but after mulling over the idea of a move to my own domain space for a few years, I finally took the plunge and set up shop at my new home. https://dogtraxwrites.com/ I hope you can join me there. Thanks … Read more
If you’ve ever read a student’s writing and found yourself saying, “Tell me more!”, you’re not alone. Elementary students, second graders especially, are just beginning to learn how to transition from short, simple sentences to more descriptive and informative ones. The concept of stretching a sentence provides students with the tools they need to add … Read more
Hi, my dear educators! Alice here with something quite unusual. This list of websites allows you to create things with your students in class. I consider them no prep, as you can learn something new, like mixing a song, creating a book, making a small comic, or doing something similar with your student. The listed … Read more
If you’re teaching Kindergarten or First Grade, you’re likely spending a lot of time helping your students become confident readers. You teach the letter sounds, model blending, use decodable readers—and yet, some students still guess at words or struggle to sound them out. Sound familiar? The missing piece might be orthographic mapping—a powerful (and research-backed) … Read more
How do we ensure that learning is progressing for every student? Perhaps the most important thing that I have learned in my 10+ years of teaching is that more teaching doesn’t mean more learning. More explanations at the front of the class doesn’t mean more learning is happening. More worksheets and more tasks don’t mean … Read more
In England over the last few years there has been a review of the thinking behind the Curriculum. Different subjects have had to dig deep and justify their position on the timetable. In Northern Ireland we have just seen the first review of the NI Curriculum for many years and it seems that change is … Read more
Locations fascinate and inspire me. The grand hush of a museum is more memorable to me than the art inside. The eeriness of a cave is a bigger lure than the geology that formed it. My love of locations over, say, character and plot, extends into picture books. Growing up, I pored over THE HOUSE … Read more
It’s been a while since I last posted here. Not because there hasn’t been anything to say, quite the opposite. It’s been a relentless year, full of work I care deeply about, but also the kind that takes its toll when you don’t stop to take stock. So, here I am, finally pausing to mark … Read more
Students may feel lonely, and faculty can feel overwhelmed even in well-designed online classes; however, a focus on engagement and well-being educators can support faculty and students via simple, low-tech, and personalized strategies in conjunction with the learning platform. This article will share practical tips to help faculty support their wellbeing and improve student engagement … Read more