Category: Tools

Setting SMART Goals In Your 2018 Classroom

Dreaming big dreams and desiring to achieve something worthwhile is natural to people. Setting the concrete goals to achieve these dreams is a skill that everybody of all ages needs to learn. It’s not natural for […]

7 Great Uses For OneNote & Lense In The Classroom

If you haven’t heard of OneNote, it’s time you did. It’s often been described as a “digital 3-ring binder” because it’s a great resource for storing all your digital information. While that is true, it doesn’t […]

118 Ways To Educate Yourself For Free This Summer

At 99 years of age, Doreetha Daniels graduated with an associate degree in social sciences from the College of the Canyons in California. Her goal was to better herself. Dr. Denise Parks published a study in […]

Moderate to Severe Developmental Disability: Eight Essential Skills for Living

Most evaluation tools and curricula arrange skills according to the way a typical child might acquire them. Essential for Living by Patrick McGreevy, PhD BCBA-D et al takes a different approach. They group skills into categories […]

7 Of The Best Screencasting Software Tools For Classrooms

Sometimes it’s just quicker and easier to show someone an idea or concept rather than try to say it to them. Other situations demand that you present an idea in multiple formats. I know when I was […]

Your Chime: Helping Children Regain Control Through Mindfulness

I’m a big believer that everyone can benefit from practicing mindfulness. While there are some differences in what that means to different groups, all generally agree it involves taking time out of the day to calm […]

2017 #HOUROFCODE is here

Overview The Computer Science Education Week (December 4-10) is upon us, and with it comes one of the biggest education movements in history, Hour of Code. 475 million students have participated in an Hour of Code since it’s […]

5 New Ways I Learned this Summer Without Stepping Foot in a Classroom

Oh summertime. Basking in the sun, putting my toes in the sand, water lapping at my feet. Well, that was just a dream this summer, but I did get to learn in some creative ways. Let […]

Word of the Day — Akin

The following is adapted from Episode 32 of the Word of the Day Podcast. Akin, an adjective, means “like or similar to,” and is perfectly suited for making comparisons between things. The etymology is pretty interesting. […]

9 Lunch Boxes and Accessories for Kids

Ask almost any kid what their favorite part of the day was and they’re likely to tell you lunchtime and recess! Having a break in the middle of the school day helps students to socialize, spend […]

A Mom, Two Kids, and a Water-Testing Kit [Review]

This week, my kids and I were very excited to try out our new water-testing kit. The older two (ages seven and five) love science, AND they drink a great deal of water, so this was […]

Is The Next John Glenn or Neil Armstrong Sitting In Your Class? Encouraging The Next Generation Of Space Explorers

Within all of us, there lies a desire to explore. It can be as simple as trying a new cuisine or as complicated as diving into the depths of an ocean to see the vibrant colors […]

Developing A Conceptual Understanding of Maths with GeoGebra

Teaching for conceptual understanding is one of the strong themes running through many articles on this site. There is a world of difference between students being able to “do mathematics” and students understanding the mathematics they […]

The Word of the Day Podcast—A New Way to Inspire Language Learners

To expand on a popular saying: Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll pass a fishing test and then forget how because he wasn’t all […]

7 Gaming Computer Models for Toddlers through Teens

Gaming is for everyone. There is a gaming computer out there to suit everyone too. Whether you’re a toddler or an adult, studies suggest that gaming improves basic skills like problem solving, memory and decision making. […]

9 Stylish and State-of-the-Art School Supplies

When back-to-school season rolls around, every parent wants to make sure that they prepare their child for another successful year of learning. The list of “must-have” items seems to grow with each passing year—from one- to […]

Removing the Limitations in a Digital Environment

What is the ideal blended learning environment? I have had a lot of noneducators talk to me about technology in the classroom. Most don’t have informed opinions (so I’m happy to share mine with them). Many […]

9 Awesome Art Sets To Inspire Imagination And Creativity

Artistic activities like painting, drawing and coloring are wonderful activities for children and teens. Art positively affects children’s brains by encouraging neural connections. Artistic expression promotes creativity and problem-solving skills and helps children understand and process the […]

9 Learning Tower Options for Families

Involving young children in cooking and meal preparation is a wonderful way to spend time together as a family. Measuring, stirring, and cooking are all tasks that present useful opportunities to teach simple math and science […]

11 Terrific Toys for Autistic Children

Children on the autism spectrum love toys just as much as any other kid. But because of their unique sensory needs and sensitivities choosing the right toys can be a little more complicated. When choosing toys […]