Movement is critical to enhancing a student’s educational experience! It keeps students alert and awake, increases the flow of blood to the brain, and creates a medium for memory associations.

Unfortunately, movement is often underutilized in the classroom. Why? There may be many reasons, including a lack of familiarity on the part of the teacher. Active educational activities, the idea that movement is ‘too disruptive’ for the students, and lack of time in a test-driven educational world are common challenges. To help overcome these and other obstacles, guest contributor Fritz Bell, includes 12 time efficient, easy-to-implement movement ideas that you can use in your classroom.

Many of the students in your class are Bodily-Kinesthetic learners.  They learn through their bodies and they need to move.  They wiggle and squirm.  The following ideas Read the rest of this entry »

Money Comics

Our students, even those as young as elementary age, are aware that our country’s economy is facing some important issues. The Federal Reserve is offering free comics to teachers (up to 35
copies per teacher) to help students understand economics, money and banking, and the importance of saving.

There are 12 different Read the rest of this entry »

Rochelle Middle School Teachers Working Hard to Engage Students

Today, I worked with two groups of teachers at Rochelle Middle School who are interested in learning more strategies to differentiate instruction and meet their students needs. We discussed behavior management strategies for working with groups and Four Corners activites, and quietly cueing kids to get on task or to receive Kudos for doing the right thing! We also discussed four powerful teaching tips, adaptation strategies for students reading below grade level, and … Read the rest of this entry »