Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2024 Issue Looking for a fun indoor activity to help your students burn off some energy during the colder months? Well, look no further than a local gymnastics club! Gymnastics have been shown to offer many benefits for kids, including increased flexibility and coordination, improved bone density, and better confidence, while also stimulating cognitive growth by working both sides of the brain. Participating in gymnastics can even help kids gain social skills such as listening, following directions, and taking turns. To that end, we’ve gathe ..read more

Originally published May 2024 This post is sponsored by the Canadian Public Health Association Contests are a great way to inspire students and enhance their understanding of a topic area. They play a role in motivating students to perform and excel, and offer a lot more reward than just the winning prize. That is why the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) developed and ran a national Grade 6 Poster Contest on infectious disease and climate change for the past four years. This contest was an opportunity for teachers and students to learn more about climate change and the impact it is h ..read more

Originally published April 2024 By Deziree Baker As a Caribbean immigrant educator, I have had to adapt to the United States in several ways—racially, socially, and academically. In this article, I will share my experiences with “becoming Black” in the States and subsequently how my racial identity development has impacted my practices as an educator. Racial identity development is defined as a dynamic process that occurs over time and is affected by personal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural environments. Several racial identity models exist across different groups—one is William E ..read more

Originally published April 2024 The Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center in Philadelphia, is hosting a free, fine art exhibition centered on artists’ observations of the region’s watershed. The curated selection of vintage and contemporary drawings, paintings, and photography by local artists captures impressions of the rivers, streams, wildlife, and tidal wetlands. The purpose of WANDERING: Observations of Our Watershed, is to encourage exploration and discussion of the delicate and crucial balance of an ecosystem in an urban setting. According to Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Cent ..read more

Originally published April 2024 As part of its yearlong Earthshot spotlight dedicated to climate solutions and sustainability, the Museum of Science has developed a suite of interactive curricula and educational games to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and passionate problem solvers. Available in English and Spanish, the new Earthshot educational resources span grades preK-12 and formats, including Youth Engineering Solutions (YES), Engineering is Elementary (EiE), Kahoot!, and TinyTap, encouraging students of all ages to imagine and design innovative ..read more

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2024 Issue Name: Bear Age: 4 years Breed: Belgian Malinois Mix Characteristics: dramatic, huggable, smart Location: Pennsylvania, USA Parent: Chrissy R. Name: Bonk Age: 2 years Breed: Cardigan Welsh Corgi Characteristics: brazen, earnest, robust Location: British Columbia, Canada Parent: Lucy Y. Name: Lucy Age: 3 years Breed: Anatolian Shepherd/ Maremma Sheepdog/Poodle Mix Characteristics: energetic, protective, snuggly Location: British Columbia, Canada Parent: Nicola G. Name: Obi Wan Catnobi Age: 6 years Breed: American Short ..read more

Originally published April 2024 For the past nine years, Connected Nation (CN) has partnered with Utah Education Network (UEN) to develop the Utah School Technology Inventory Report, a statewide inventory that compiles critical data about technology usage and gaps in Utah K-12 schools. The fifth biannual report was released earlier this year, highlighting more than 82,600 data points representing 1,034 schools across Utah. The final report provided a comprehensive summary of the Utah school system and an overview page for every school district and charter school in th ..read more

Originally published April 2024 On April 8th, a total solar eclipse will be visible across much of North America. This rare celestial event occurs when the moon is closer to the Earth than usual, so as it passes between the Earth and the sun at just the right alignment, it is big enough to completely block out the sun’s light. When this happens, parts of North America will be plunged into darkness for a few minutes. The next total solar eclipse that can be seen in North America won’t take place for another 20 years, so you won’t want to miss this one! To help you and your students get re ..read more

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, March/April 2024 Issue Ramadan is a month-long period of fasting, prayer, and reflection. It provides an opportunity to strengthen family and community ties while gaining self-discipline, empathy, and spiritual awareness. In line with this, we have compiled a list of new and upcoming books featuring Muslim characters who embody these values, and with the month of Ramadan already underway, now is a great time to add these to your classroom or library! We hope you and your students find them helpful and inspiring. Aliya’s Secret: A Story of Ramadan by F ..read more

Originally published March 2024 St. Patrick’s Day, initially celebrated as the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland, has since become an event recognized by people around the world. Popularized by Irish immigrants in North America, it is now known for its lively festivities and fun traditions. As this merry day approaches, why not get into the spirit by reading some Irish-themed books? We’ve gathered 10 new and upcoming titles for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond. From heartwarming stories of Irish culture to thrilling tales of Celtic myths and legends, these sham-rockin’ books are sure ..read more