Updated 6/3/24
Now and then, we need to take a step back to refocus and recharge ourselves.
You know that time during the school year when you need that extra little charge? Do you need to refocus? With all teachers have on their plates, sometimes we get exhausted! We stay up late grading or coming up with and preparing great lessons.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Teacher Resources, Collaborations, Culture, Resources
Updated 5/24/24
At the beginning of April, we celebrate April Fools’ Day, but, on March 31, there’s a little-known holiday called World Backup Day. It’s a good reminder to back up your computer before any pranksters accidentally destroy your data or – even worse – your computer!
Topics: BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, Teacher Resources, Culture, Technology, Trends, Resources, Engineering, Coding, Workforce Development
Updated 6/14/24
Most of us love a story – kids and adults alike. A good story captures our imagination, makes us wonder or feel something, and might even teach us something. Fairy tales are an example of this kind of story. Typically, they are fanciful, have some type of conflict and resolution, and leave you with a takeaway or two.
Fairy tales are often told at home, at preschool, and in elementary school. This makes them awesome for some cross-curricular learning opportunities. So, let’s STREAM ahead to combine STEM with some reading and art.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Culture, STEM, Trends, Resources, Authentic Learning, Social and emotional learning, Activities, 21st Century Skills, Hands-on Learning, STEAM
Updated 6/5/24
“Americans consume 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate each year, or over 11 pounds per person.” That’s a LOT of chocolate. And, if I’m honest, I most certainly do my part to meet that statistic. I’ll pick chocolate over any other sweet flavor, bar none.
It’s a constant for any season or holiday – think cookies at Christmas, a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, chocolate eggs in your Easter basket, s’mores in the summer, and the ubiquitous Halloween candy. Aside from eating it and baking with it, we can also use it for learning.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Teacher Resources, Culture, Science, STEM, Trends, Resources, Activities, Hands-on Learning, STEAM
Updated 6/5/24
Coauthored by Lisa Lewis, first grade teacher at Salem Elementary in Spotsylvania, VA, and Pitsco TAG member
As educators, we’re the individuals who have a direct connection and responsibility to make STEM accessible to all students. We must be mindful to provide and empower all students with STEM opportunities.
As we reach out to encourage and nurture student gifts, it’s important to tell students that they really can do anything that they set their mind to doing if they believe in themselves and connect with the subject. We must also help normalize and encourage failure, bolstered with stories of famous individuals who have failed multiple of times before succeeding.
Topics: IN THE CLASSROOM, BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, IDEAS & INSPIRATION, Teacher Resources, Collaborations, Culture, STEM, Trends, Resources, Teacher Development, Authentic Learning, Activities, Hands-on Learning, STEAM, Women in STEM
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