Teachers report spending as much as 20 to 50 percent of the school year preparing students for tests and assessments, including learning test language and format, and practicing multiple choice questions. You could win back more time for learning by incorporating testing more organically within your daily lessons. Tips for getting students ready for testing: … Continue reading
Sometimes you need a little bit of humor to get through your day. Enjoy a laugh or two with these holiday teacher memes that we find amusing. Source: We are Teachers Source: Board Teachers Source: Someecards #Truth Source: MemeGenerator.net Enjoying too much holiday cheer Source: California Casualty What’s your go-to resource to manage teacher life? … Continue reading
What do you think of when you think of a modern library? Features of modern libraries include library bookmobiles, WI-FI connectivity, device rental, makerspaces, and digital lending. Even before the pandemic, the rise of digital books and resources sparked a debate over whether physical libraries were obsolete. While it’s true that those libraries that best … Continue reading
Get your students inspired to read this fall during National Literacy Month, happening all of September. This year we’re celebrating diverse literature that sparks children’s imagination, builds empathy, helps them understand and manage their emotions, and broadens their mindset. Part of National Literacy Month is Banned Books Week, happening September 18 – 24. This year’s … Continue reading
Digital citizenship is about how kids can be “good citizens” online and have healthy and safe online time. This is increasingly important when screen-time takes up a huge chunk of students’ free time. To build health-minded students, start by building their interests offline. Students are spending more time online Kids 8 and up are spending … Continue reading
To keep students safe on social media, they need to be aware of many issues, including addictiveness, cyberbullying, age-inappropriate content, and viral social media stunts. For Mental Health Awareness Month, here are a few ways to approach discussions about social media habits to protect students’ safety and mental health. Discuss what students like on social … Continue reading
The pandemic healthcare crisis underscored the need for comprehensive K-12 SEL programs. Public schools experienced a jump in students seeking mental health services since the start of the pandemic, according to a May 2022 study by the National Center for Education Statistics. The majority surveyed are concerned about the lack of resources despite record-breaking federal … Continue reading
![ESSER III Spending Plans [Infographic]](https://varconnection.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/esser-iii_5.19.22-post.png?w=160&h=120&crop=1 "ESSER III Spending Plans [Infographic]")
Get a snapshot of how schools plan to spend their ESSER III funds, which includes about 7.6% towards student mental and physical health. For schools looking to accelerate learning, there is possibly more time to research new solutions. On May 13, 2022, the Department of Education shared that they would consider requests for 18-month extensions … Continue reading
Teaching the whole child can promote better focus and learning. Here are 3 ways to boost student well-being. Continue reading
The Great Resignation of 2021 continues to plaque employers into 2022, and K-12 schools are not immune. Teachers continue to take on extra roles to fill in gaps left by colleagues who resigned, which will only accelerate burnout. As schools scramble to find substitutes and hire replacement teachers, educators may find the most immediate relief … Continue reading
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