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May 2012

The Sound of Music: Using Music in the Regular Classroom

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2012-05-25 16:06

“A grounding in the arts will help our children to see; to bring a uniquely human perspective to science and technology. In short, it will help them as they grow smarter to also grow wiser.” - Robert E. Allen – Chairman and CEO, AT&T Corporation

Music is a language of its own. The language of music and the technicalities of music composition may seem daunting and scary to teachers without much of a music background. Understanding, reading, appreciating, and writing music are skills that take years of training and practice to hone. The Gateway to 21st Century Skills has a variety of unique ideas to help you integrate music into your teaching in the context of different subjects and themes.

Joann's companion column: 
Score Sheet: Music Composition in the Classroom

A Hunger for Controversy: Exploring Controversial Topics Through Literature

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2012-05-18 17:33


Every book has the unique opportunity to take its reader on a fantastic voyage, bringing them into a world they have never seen before. This opportunity can also allow books to take readers into subjects and places that some parents and teachers might prefer to avoid. Unfortunately, if that book is censored or banned, a student’s opportunity to learn important lessons from that book is cut short.

Joann's companion column: 
The Bad Place: Why Kids Love Dystopias

i Love It! Using Electronic Devices in Class

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2012-05-11 18:07


The goal of bringing any new innovation into the classroom is to improve the quality of learning in that classroom. Innovations can help lessons be more fun, encouraging students to become engaged with the material. Innovations can make lessons memorable, leaving students with a better recollection of the material later. Innovations can also make a teacher’s job a little easier by encouraging active, student-led learning rather than passive learning. The innovation trend we are talking about this week is using iPads and other electronic devices as learning tools in the classroom.

Joann's companion column: 
iLearn, uLearn: Using iPads in the Classroom

We like to Move It Move It

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2012-05-04 16:21


There are plenty of studies showing the importance of physical activity to overall health, regardless of a person’s age. Teachers should consider adding a physical component to their everyday activities, if only for the sake of creating the habit of an active lifestyle. Newer research on the link between the mind and body has found connections between physical activity and brain function, giving teachers even more incentive to find simple, creative ways to include movement each day in school.

Joann's companion column: 
Get Moving: National Physical Education & Sport Week