Why we need to start book clubs for kids We lose avid readers at two key crossroads: reading acquisition and teenager-hood. Why then? We lose avid young listeners as they begin to read because they are often frustrated with the simple plots, controlled vocabulary, and flat characters of the books they can read to themselves – […]
8 Benefits of Reading Classic Literature
What are the benefits of reading classic literature? I wrote about the relevance of reading quality books in general, and I want to focus on the benefits of reading classic literature in particular. Even among voracious readers, we often shy away from challenging books. Among gifted learners it can be part of our perfectionism/impostor syndrome. […]
Microlending in the Classroom: Kiva
Microlending in the classroom can be a powerful yet simple tool for nearly every educator. I’ve used Kiva for microlending in my classroom, and I’m sharing some ideas for those of you who have been interested in using microlending in the classroom as part of a global classroom, to teach a specific content, or to […]
Why You Should Take Notes by Hand Rather Than On a Device
It’s something I say all of the time in person, and now I’m going on record. I’m explaining why you should take notes by hand, rather than on a device. I’ve written before about the importance of writing correctly, even in a digital world, yet I am asked about this so often that I feel […]
My Foray into Hyperdocs
Hyperdocs in Professional Development This summer I was introduced to a tool I think belongs in every teacher’s toolbox. I decided to try it myself before I shared it with you. I hope you’ll find the tool itself useful, and I also hope you can learn from my story about how I almost rejected a […]
CONTIG Math Game
I love CONTIG, the math game that requires nothing more than the board, some dice, and a score sheet. I learned about at a conference years ago, and it’s been a fave ever since. It’s a great game because it works equally well for families and classrooms. How to Play CONTIG: After printing the board […]
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