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…
As students return to schools shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic, many large school districts are not prepared to meet the needs of well more than 1 million students with disabilities who have a legal right to receive support and services but are not getting them ― and the problem is most severe for students of color, according to a new report. The crisis existed before the pandemic began in spring 2020, but was exacerbated in the…
Storytelling has been around as long as humankind. It is one of the most effective ways to communicate an important truth to another person. It is a connection point between two people. Storytelling gives meaning, context, and understanding in a world that is often filled with chaos and disorder. Because of this, educators must use stories if they hope to reach their students. Here are some storytelling tips that can help you capture students’ attention.…
Are you one click away from sabotaging your admission to college? According to a recent survey, you could be. For over a decade, Kaplan, the educational services company, has been conducting an annual survey of admission officers to track trends in policies and practices. Since 2008, it has explored the role of your digital footprint in application review, and not surprisingly, it has been growing every year. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of admission officers in the…
With the first COVID-19 vaccines now authorized for adolescents, ages 12 and up, a big question looms: will students be required to get vaccinated before returning to their classrooms in the fall? In the United States, school vaccination requirements are established by states rather than the federal government. The 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows states to make regulations protecting public health. Every state currently requires K-12 students to be vaccinated against some diseases,…
Studies show that the average teenager requires 9 to 9.5 hours of sleep per night, but she typically only gets 7. It’s becoming more and more common for the normal life of the average American high schooler to interfere with sleep. In a recent poll of 2,000 parents, 1 in 6 said their teen experiences frequent sleep problems, here defined as “having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep 3 or more nights per week.” More…
The High School Placement Test – or the HSPT – is an exam administered to 8th grade students who are applying to certain Catholic high schools. The HSPT test score helps to determine admissions decisions, class placement, and scholarship awards. If you are unsure how the HSPT is scored, these tips may help you. Here are seven HSPT strategies that can ensure success and raise your test score. 1. Practice, practice, practice. While it may…
Podcasts have been growing in popularity over the past few years, and it’s more commonplace than not for adults to have a few favorites. It’s basically radio that is personalized to a topic in which you are especially interested–what’s not to like? Teens can also join in the trend! See our list below for some great podcasts for high school students. 1. Revisionist History. Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers and The Tipping Point, looks back through the…
Podcasts have been growing in popularity over the past few years, and it’s more commonplace than not for adults to have a few favorites. It’s basically radio that is personalized to a topic in which you are especially interested–what’s not to like? Kids can also join in the trend! See our list below for some great podcasts for middle school children. 1. The Allusionist. Explore the English language, with all its oddities! Filled with good humor and…
