Does AI actually help students learn? A recent experiment in a high school provides a cautionary tale. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that Turkish high school students who had access to Chat GPT while doing practice math problems did worse on a math test compared with students who didn’t have access to Chat GPT. Those with Chat GPT solved 48% more of the practice problems correctly, but they ultimately scored 17% worse on…
Read More »Politics can be a difficult subject to discuss with children, but as they grow and begin to understand the fundamentals of civics and how people choose their local and national leaders, the subject is hard to avoid. Voting allows people to come together as a community to make a collective decision; it fosters democracy and allows for a fair process in electing local and national leaders. How do you talk to kids about voting and…
Read More »Your student has participated in their school’s music program since sixth grade, is now taking private lessons, consistently makes the all-state band, and attends a selective music program each summer in Michigan. Oh, and they know every Beethoven symphony inside and out. If this describes your student, a music career could very well be in their future, but before that future can become reality, musical assessment, reflection, and preparation are needed. As they begin their…
Read More »in Teachers
If the students respect and like you as a person, your job as a teacher will be a lot easier. Unlike a boss who clashes with an employee, you can’t fire a student. You can spend your entire year trying to fix a fractured relationship that is broken due to lack of respect, but who has the time? Here are some guidelines to help earn the respect of your students from the get-go and how…
Read More »in Holidays
No matter our color, ZIP code, or language, we want all our children to have a public education that imparts honesty about who we are, the integrity in how we treat each other, and the freedom to pursue our dreams. Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a time for those of Hispanic and Latino descent to celebrate their cultural roots but also an occasion for people from all backgrounds to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the…
Read More »Patriot Day is a moment to pause and remember the lives affected by September 11, 2001. There are a range of Patriot Day Activities that can help you approach this delicate topic with the respect it deserves. These resources are crafted to encourage thoughtful reflection, foster empathy, and help students connect with the significance of this day in a meaningful way. Please be aware that this blog addresses a sensitive topic, so reader discretion is…
Read More »in Teachers
Looking around any classroom at the start of another school year, you will probably see a range of reactions from students. Some are eager to get started, returning from the break with a desire to start the year off in a positive way. Others appear less confident and seem to have approached the end of the summer with a sense of dread. Throughout the school year, you can also expect students to slowly lose motivation…
Read More »in First grade reading, Holidays, Kindergarten reading, Libraries, Reading, Teaching Your Child To Read
This September, be sure to pick up a book, visit a library, and explore places you could only see in literature’s grandeur. September is National Literacy month, which promotes awareness and interest in improving the overall literacy of a community. This can have a pleasing ripple effect through every individual life, their children, and their families. Multiple efforts to impede illiteracy have been made since the first National Literacy Month, but even after all these…
Read More »Going back to school can be a little intimidating, but while you can’t hold your kid’s hand as they try to find their classes, you can get them prepared with the right gear for the year. Here are a few items that can help keep you organized, energized, ready to tackle the start of the new school year. 1. Start the morning off right with a sunrise alarm clock. If mornings are difficult for your…
Read More »The calendar is getting ready to flip from August to September, which will soon mean the return of colorful leaves on trees, football season and bonfires. It also means Labor Day is approaching, meaning the unofficial end of summer. During the three-day Labor Day weekend, many Americans will travel, shop for deals online and in-store and maybe sneak in one final visit to the beach or neighborhood pool. However, the federal holiday is much more…
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