The recent shift toward social-emotional learning (SEL)–accelerated by the shift to remote teaching and learning and the isolation of a global pandemic–is, of course, a wonderful thing. If nothing else, it’s a nod to the idea that students are first people. Emotion drives us as human beings–our brains literally, for example. Emotion enhances our ability to form vivid memories of even trivial events. Norepinephrine (NE), a neuromodulator released during emotional arousal, plays a central role…
It’s still August, but the 2021-22 school year has started for some students around the country, even as coronavirus cases are rising sharply in places with low vaccination rates and contentious debates about masks in schools are escalating. Despite strong hopes that the new school year would mark a return to full-time, in-school learning normalcy after more than a year of unprecedented pandemic disruptions, school district leaders are facing new challenges to achieving that goal.…
We’ve heard a great deal about teachers and their struggles through the Covid-19 pandemic, but one group of school personnel that has gotten little attention is school nurses. Even before the pandemic began in 2020, school nurses played a critical role in schools, often serving as primary health-care providers for many students — but covid-19 has made their role much harder. School nurses have been quietly doing their jobs throughout the pandemic to try to…
It can take years for a public school district to conceive, design and build a new school — but here’s a story about the incredibly fast creation of what could be America’s coolest new high school. It started a few months ago, when a friend asked Austin Beutner, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, if he wanted to open a new public high school. He wasn’t asking for himself but, rather, on behalf…
For a brief moment, it felt like parents had made it. School was wrapping up. People, including kids 12 and older, were getting vaccinated. Mask mandates were easing. But now we’re facing the delta variant — a highly contagious strain of the coronavirus. States with large outbreaks are seeing rising case numbers among children as well as adults. As it reaches into our communities, how does this strain affect children, and how can we help…
The Delta variant may be the most contagious COVID-19 strain yet, causing outbreaks around the globe – even in places where the virus had previously been under control. In the United States, it has quickly become responsible for 50% of all COVID-19 infections nationwide. What does that mean for kids who are and aren’t vaccinated? Connecticut Children’s infectious disease expert John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH shares seven things parents should know. 1. The Delta variant…
Here’s the thing about getting students talking about reading: you need a concrete place to start. As in journal response prompts to respond to a text, the stems below are created to help students better understand what they’re reading. Because the focus is on critical thinking and critical reading rather than mere ‘talking,’ I left out more obvious stems like ‘I agree…’ or ‘I disagree…’ or ‘I like…’ or ‘I dislike…’ because opinions are useful…
With COVID-19 restrictions starting to ease up in the New England area, there are lots of activities planned for August this year. Check out our list of fun-filled August activities happening around Boston, and enjoy the rest of your summer! Beverly Homecoming Days When: Wed 8/4/21 – Sun 8/8/21 Where: Beverly, MA Age: all ages Over 40 events over the course of 4 fun-filled days for everyone to enjoy all around Beverly. Plan on traditional…
Have you ever noticed how a child instantly perks up when an animal is around? Why not use that to your advantage with the following ways of using animals as part of the learning process. Many children have a hard time focusing on educational activities that are in their best interest. Often, these children are simply bored and unengaged, but incorporating some animals into their education could be exactly what’s needed to inject a boost…
Schools, as we know them, are changing. Shopping, as we know it, is changing. While both are obvious, one loss seems to breed opportunity while the other makes us hold on for dear life. Why? First, some context. Nestled between the perceived ‘old way’ (learning in person) and ‘new way’ (learning through computer) is Blended Learning. Blended Learning can be thought of as the bridge between eLearning and brick-and-mortar learning. It is a kind of…
