Why Writing by Hand is Better than Typing

If you’re like many digitally savvy Americans, it has likely been a while since you’ve spent much time writing by hand. The laborious process of tracing out our thoughts, letter by letter, on the page is becoming a relic of the past in our screen-dominated world, where text messages and thumb-typed grocery lists have replaced handwritten letters and sticky notes. Electronic keyboards offer obvious efficiency benefits that have undoubtedly boosted our productivity — imagine having…

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3 Types of Learning Assessments

From formative and summative assessments to criterion-referenced and benchmark assessments, all types of learning assessments have unique function. But what are the types of learning assessments, and more importantly, when should you use them? If curriculum is the “what” of teaching and learning models are the “how,” then assessment is what challenges our assumptions about the what and the how. Assessment is commonly referred to as formative assessment–that is, assessment designed to inform instruction. Below,…

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August Activities in the Boston Area

There are many fun activities for families to enjoy in the Boston area in the month of August. Check out our list of August activities and events happening in the Boston area and have a great month! August Adventures with Highland Street Foundation When: daily in August 2024 Where: various locations Age: kids, teens, adults Cost: free 31 days, 31 events, 100% FREE! August Adventures 2024 provides access and opportunities to new and old partners…

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Technology Tools for Dyslexic Students

Even after years of intensive intervention and tutoring, dyslexic students can continue to struggle with reading and writing. That’s why advances in technology tools have been invaluable to students who read and write slowly. Dyslexic students are finding they can complete assignments faster when they employ special features on a laptop or iPad that help work around their dyslexia-related issues. In order to fully maximize how technology tools can help students with learning differences, educator…

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Boston Summer Reading Program 2024

Immerse yourself and develop stronger reading skills with Boston Public Library’s summer reading program for youth 0-17 years old. The program runs from June 17, 2024 to August 25, 2024. This year’s theme is Adventure Begins at your Library, developed by the Collaborative Summer Learning Program. Check out these incredible options available at the Boston Public Library for their summer reading program: Want personalized reading recommendations? Fill in the Shelf Service request form, and one…

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Why Are Hackers Targeting Young Students?

When Celeste Gravatt first heard about a data breach in her kids’ school system in February 2023, it sounded innocuous. “I didn’t really think anything of it at first,” Gravatt says. Officials at Minneapolis Public Schools called it a “system incident,” then “technical difficulties,” and finally, “an encryption event.” She says it was only when she checked social media that she realized the true extent of the attack, and what it could mean for her…

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Counslr App Offers Mental Health Support to Students

Counslr is a text-based mental health support application that provides unlimited access to live texting sessions with licensed professionals, 24/7/365. Users can access support on-demand within two minutes of opening the app, or by scheduled appointment. Through real-time texting, users enjoy one-on-one, private communication with a licensed counselor that can be conducted anytime, anywhere. Counslr was designed to help individuals deal with life’s day-to-day issues, empowering individuals to address concerns while they are “small” to…

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7 Summer Safety Tips from Johns Hopkins

Children look forward to the summer months when a break from school gives them a chance to enjoy the outdoors, travel, and relax with friends and family. However, it’s important to ensure children’s safety while they’re having fun in the sun. Specialists from Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins Children’s Center offer seven recommendations for keeping kids safe this summer season. 1. Keep children away from burn hazards. Fireworks can be extremely dangerous…

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Independence Day Lessons for Children

Most Americans have a basic understanding of why we celebrate Independence Day. July 4 is the day our country celebrates our independence as a nation. While the official date was designated as a holiday in 1948, the tradition of celebrating the signing of the declaration of independence goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. The first annual celebration of independence occurred on July 4, 1777, and has continued to be celebrated annually…

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6 Ways to Prevent Summer Slide

The summer slide is a decline in a child’s academic skills that occurs over the summer vacation when school is not in session. Summer slide goes by a number of names, including the summer learning loss and the summer brain drain, but in essence, they all mean the same thing: over the summer vacation, children are likely to forget a lot of the information and knowledge they have picked up over the past academic year. Summer…

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