A Teacher’s Guide to Supporting Students with Anxiety
As a teacher, you may have noticed your students seem increasingly anxious—and the evidence isn’t just anecdotal. According to child ... Read more
common
How to employ a differentiated mindset when teaching STEM
When we facilitate professional development events, there’s often a common theme: teachers understand the importance of active STEM teaching and learning, but don’t always know how to implement…
Web-based visual vocabulary tool
Designed by a pair of speech-language pathologists, InferCabulary helps learners infer deep meanings of nuanced words by analyzing and interpreting ... Read more
4 common barriers to accessible content for all students
This summer, many faculty will work on developing or revising curricular content for their courses. One of the keys in developing new digital materials is verifying that those…
4 ways educators can combat rural brain drain
More than 30 years ago, the Department of Justice researched and concluded that stronger families and communities create successful school environments. Fast forward to the present day, the…
What are the key components of a digital classroom?
Most teachers today view edtech as an essential part of an increasingly digital classroom, and a new report from Common Sense sheds light on the role these edtech…
5 truths for building a successful data culture
Whichever assessment practice model you use—be it Response to Intervention (RTI), multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), or any other—building a positive culture of assessment is the key to…
How one district handles student data privacy
Every school district is faced with a choice about how to protect student data. As districts have implemented more technology to support digital learning, student data privacy in…
5 new strategies to integrate digital content into classroom instruction
For the past decade of my career, I’ve worked to empower and inspire educators in their use of digital content and technology. From teaching educators in graduate level…
Using your LMS for teaching and professional learning
Picture this: You roll out a new learning management system (LMS) for students, but all of your professional learning is either hosted on a different platform or conducted…
What is student agency–and why do we need it?
It’s only recently that I’ve become much more disciplined in my use of the term “student agency” and how I apply it.Thanks to a research assignment on behalf…
What is student agency–and why do we need it?
It’s only recently that I’ve become much more disciplined in my use of the term “student agency” and how I apply it.Thanks to a research assignment on behalf…
4 ways to improve digital equity in your classroom
As a former middle school teacher who taught in a lower-income, majority-minority school equipped with lots of "high tech" tools, I often wondered about digital equity. For me,…
How we turned around our reading program
Rockford Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in Illinois. More than 28,800 students attend the 44 schools in the district.
How should we define SEL in schools?
We are often asked for the definition of social-emotional learning (SEL). One common and useful SEL definition is the process of learning to integrate thinking, feeling, and behaving…
How we turned around our reading program
Rockford Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in Illinois, with more than 28,800 students and 44 schools.
Is facial recognition in schools reassuring–or invasive?
In the wake of all-too-common school shootings, school and district leaders are confronted with decisions about how to prevent--or respond to--violent incidents. Some are turning to facial recognition…
#8: 7 tips to better define personalized learning
Personalized learning is a pretty well-known term, but educators have different definitions for personalized learning, making for a sometimes-confusing approach to its implementation.
SEL should be an easy sell for U.S. schools and districts
In light of tragic events that have put a spotlight on school safety issues, it’s more important than ever to understand the value of students’ social and emotional…
6 key principles for a successful SEL program
A social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum adds valuable lessons to a student’s normal school day that will help propel them beyond academic success and onto success in life. No…
3 reasons elementary schools should adopt an LMS—and where to begin
Is it really possible for young learners to effectively use a learning management system (LMS)? This is a common question administrators and educational practitioners ask when considering LMS…
App of the Week: Human Resource Machine EDU
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
4 awesome videos to check out over the summer
Videos can be used in many ways in the classroom and in professional learning, and they can greatly benefit students if they’re engaging and thought-provoking. They’re also valuable…
App of the Week: Mentimeter
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
App of the Week: Stack the States 2
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
App of the Week: Bear
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
App of the Week: Kiddom
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators ... Read more
App of the Week: Bandimal
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators ... Read more
Do you make these common classroom-management mistakes?
The dunce cap, a ruler on the knuckles, kneeling on rice: Modern teachers wouldn’t think of using these methods to correct students’ behavior. But for all the progress…
App of the Week: Anti-Defamation League
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators ... Read more
6 reasons why district-wide tech implementations are the right choice
In any given K-12 district, you’ll find at least some teachers choosing their own edtech products. Why? If their district hasn’t shown tech leadership, there are no shortage…
App of the Week: Otus
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
App of the Week: Construct 3
Ed. note: App of the Week picks are now being curated by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find ... Read more
How I became an active learner at ASCD “Empower18”
As ASCD Empower 18 kicked off in Boston on Friday, March 23 I knew the four days were going to be “wicked awesome”—I mean, come on!—it’s Boston. But…
Dyslexia: hidden costs and money-saving techniques for districts
Early intervention: It’s a common mantra for any student with learning difficulties, including dyslexia. But as Terrie Noland, national director of educator engagement for Learning Ally, pointed out…
Video of the Week: Dealing with digital distraction in the classroom
Ed. note: Video of the Week picks are supplied by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find the best ed-tech ... Read more
3 smart ways to fix your PD
The benefit of professional development (PD) for teachers is well known: improving teaching practices means greater student achievement. What’s less frequently acknowledged is that PD programs are often…
How to be a collaborative leader
When the word “collaboration” is spoken in a school, it is not always welcomed with open arms. Educators or leaders who have had success or are comfortable working…
Video of the Week: 3 tips for great formative assessment
Ed. note: Video of the Week picks are supplied by the editors of Common Sense Education, which helps educators find the best ed-tech ... Read more
3 ways the modern school is becoming more like the modern workplace
As the office has evolved to allow a more creative and collaborative workplace, many educators have taken note, bringing those same features to classrooms, school libraries, lunchrooms and…