When formalized mandatory education in this country began, students were not required to attend school during the summer months.  At that time, our country was still primarily agrarian in nature, and many children were necessary to assist in the chores of the family farm. Therefore, “summer vacation” really wasn’t a vacation.  It mean laboring in…

If you Google “Music Education NCLB,” you’ll find article after article decrying the cutting of music and arts programs from as far back as almost 20 years ago. Even back then, experts spoke of the positive effects of music education on scholastic performance because of its influence relative to discipline, competitiveness, achievement, creativity, and physical…

Back in 1956, a team of researchers led by Dr. Benjamin Bloom identified three domains of educational activity: Cognitive, Affective and Kinesthetic. Cognitive refers to the processes involved with learning that happen via the mind.  Rote memorization, scaffolding, and mnemonic devices are examples of learning involving processes which engage the mind.  It’s where knowledge “resides”…

Back in 1988, a company called Nike launched a very successful marketing campaign with the tag line, “Just Do It.” That phrase became so ingrained within the collective psyche of our society that it’s now believed that if you’re not seen as “doing something,” you’re wasting time. Further, with the promise of technology being able…

In celebration of the first day of spring this week, this article, appropriately titled, was submitted by a teacher who was completing her first year at a new school a few years ago.  Does it resonate with what happens at your school…perhaps even more so in our post-pandemic environment? “Why do our new teachers keep…

There are several ways school administrators have attempted to infuse today’s technology into their curriculum, with the two main solutions consisting of 1-to-1 initiatives (where the district or school purchases devices for each student), which can be very costly, complete with acceptable use agreements and insurance policies to guard against loss or breakage, or BYOD…

The acronyms keep changing.  STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics – has been touted as what educators need to focus on to prepare students for the challenges they’ll face in the modern workplace.  Some have taken STEM to the next level by adding an A for Arts to the acronym to make STEAM.  Recent…

A number of years ago, the field of education had an epiphany.  In conjunction with community leaders and business and corporate leadership, STEM emerged to focus on four areas to work systemically, creating a curriculum to foster learning appropriate for the 21st century and the jobs of the future – many of which don’t even…

Many companies today espouse “Best Practices” when they say what their company does.  That’s a great way to build confidence in their target market. But difficulties arise when companies that may not espouse “Best Practices” want to know what others consider to be “Best Practices” so they can consider implementing them at their company. Then…

Remember that song from “Sesame Street?” My wife and I grew up in “MisterRogers Neighborhood,” so the next generation that grew up on the “Street” had to find out who the people in their neighborhood were through song rather than a by a personal visit or video views through a magical picture frame. So who…