It’s that time again: the weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and students and teachers alike are looking forward to summer vacation. Such an atmosphere might make it difficult to stay motivated, but there’s no reason to coast until the end of the year. In a child’s education, every week counts. So how can you make sure that these last few weeks count for your students? Read on for some tips for helping both teachers and students stay motivated through the end of the school year. Read more »
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tips for making the most of the end of the year
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Relief efforts in Japan: How to get your students involved
On March 11, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Japan, causing mass destruction and a tsunami that devastated the country. Thousands were killed in the disaster, with thousands still missing. Such a terrible event has caused people all over the world to unite in hope, prayer, and relief efforts for the Japanese people.
Here at Imagine Learning, we’ve been collecting donations from employees to benefit the victims of the disaster, as many people are doing worldwide. But adults aren’t the only ones who have been participating in relief efforts for Japan. Hundreds of elementary schools, high schools, and school districts have been showing support and sending relief in many ways, whether it’s by raising money through bake sales or folding paper cranes as a symbol of hope and support. Read more »
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Teaching outside the box
While learning seems to come naturally to some students, others struggle and need a spark or a jump-start. To make sure all students are engaged in learning, many schools are now turning to unusual ways to reach their students and are experiencing some very positive results! Here are a few examples:
Service dogs
Service and facility dogs can provide valuable learning opportunities. Specially trained dogs can teach students how to overcome fears, learn patience and perseverance, and listen to and follow directions. Children with special needs especially benefit from working with service dogs when they brush the dog, take it for walks, and play fetch. These activities help develop gross motor skills and reduce stress. If a child finds social interaction to be a struggle, having a dog as a buddy can be very calming.
Having a classroom canine mascot can also spark students’ interest in math (measuring out dog food) and writing (using the dog as the subject of a paper).
Infants
A Canadian non-profit group has an interesting strategy to reduce bullying. How does it work?
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Best of the blog: Top posts from 2010
Winter break—it’s finally here. Eager students (and teachers) can enjoy a break from school to rest, rejuvenate, and prepare for the New Year.
Now that school is closed in many districts, you teachers might find yourselves with some extra time on hand. Want to not only enjoy your holiday but also stay sharp with classroom ideas? How about taking a break from holiday festivities to catch up on some of our best blog posts from this past year?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Help your boys become reading champs
Have you ever noticed a significant gap in reading achievement between the girls and boys in your class? If you have, you’re not alone. Research by the Ontario Ministry of Education indicates that although educators do their best to ensure equal learning opportunities for both genders, boys seem to be at a disadvantage when it comes to reading. Here are some interesting facts about the gap between boys and girls: Read more »
