• Marvelous Mathematics for the Year 2025

    HAPPY NEW YEAR! Every year introduces us to a special number worth celebrating, and with it comes the chance to dive into its fascinating mathematical properties and expressions. Let’s explore 2025’s captivating mathematical features and patterns. A Perfect Square 2025 = 45² The year 2025 is a perfect square, resulting from squaring 45. The last occurrence was in 1936, and the next one will be in 2116. If we increment the digits of 45 and square this, something interesting happens: (45+10+1)2=452+1000+100+10+1, that is if we increment all the digits of 2025 by 1 we obtain a new square number 3136=562 Sum of…

  • 12 Days of Techy Tidings

    The holidays are here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a holiday calendar packed with educational treasures! Each day brings something new to spark joy and creativity in the classroom. From exciting digital tools to engaging activities, this journey has already been a blast—and it’s only Day 4!

  • Which One Doesn’t Belong? A Math Activity for Every Learner

    Which One Doesn’t Belong? (WODB) is a simple activity with big benefits. Whether you’re teaching kindergarteners or high schoolers, WODB creates opportunities for every student to engage, think critically, and share their ideas. With no single “correct” answer, this activity encourages creativity and conversation, making it a go-to for classrooms everywhere. What is WODB? wodb.ca At its core, WODB presents four objects—numbers, shapes, or images—and asks students to decide: Which one doesn’t belong? The twist? Every object could “not belong,” depending on the reasoning. For example, a set of numbers might include 4, 9, 12, and 16. One student might…

  • Integrating Literacy Practices into Science: Nexus Level Vocabulary

    Science teachers, have you noticed students’ eyes glaze over when they hit dense, unfamiliar terms? It’s not enough to decode words—they need to grasp their meanings. Morphology, the study of word structures, can transform how students tackle science vocabulary. Imagine breaking down “photosynthesis”—suddenly, “photo” (light) + “synthesis” (putting together) clicks, and understanding blooms. Activities like Etymology Word Webs turn vocabulary lessons into engaging explorations, connecting word roots and building semantic awareness. These tools help students make sense of complex terms, empowering them to read, write, and think like true scientists. Ready to transform your teaching?

  • Unlocking the Power of Words: How Vocabulary Trees Can Transform Learning in Grades 4-12

    Struggling to engage her 7th graders with the language of social studies, Mrs. Ramirez tried something new: Vocabulary Trees. By breaking down intimidating terms like “democracy” and “oligarchy” into their roots, prefixes, and suffixes, her students began to unlock meaning—and confidence. Suddenly, words became tools, not obstacles. Debates came alive with precise language, essays reflected deeper understanding, and test scores soared. “It’s like they finally see the connections,” Mrs. Ramirez marveled. Vocabulary trees didn’t just boost comprehension—they transformed her students into critical thinkers ready to tackle complex texts. Want your students to thrive? Plant the seeds with Vocabulary Trees! 🌳

  • Why Teaching Microskills in a Politically Charged Climate is more Effective—and less controversial—Than Debates

    This article discusses the importance of teaching microskills like facts vs opinions, critical thinking, source evaluation, and media literacy in a politically charged classroom environment. Rather than engaging students in potentially polarizing debates about political candidates, the article suggests focusing on nonpartisan microskills to promote civic engagement, critical thinking, and informed decision-making. These foundational skills allow students to navigate complex information without risking bias accusations or backlash from parents or administrators. By teaching microskills, educators can maintain a neutral classroom environment while equipping students with lifelong skills.

  • Unlocking Student Success: Integrating Literacy Skills to Master Next-Gen Science Standards

    Are your students struggling to meet the Next Generation Science Standards? One of the biggest obstacles isn’t just content knowledge—it’s the ability to make inferences. This essential skill is often overlooked, yet it’s a game changer when it comes to understanding complex scientific concepts. By integrating literacy strategies, like inferencing, into your science instruction, you can help students connect their background knowledge with evidence and build the reasoning needed for deep comprehension. Ready to empower your students to think critically and ace those performance expectations? Dive into our latest post for practical tips and tools to make it happen!

  • The Evolution of Mathematics: What is a Ten Frame?

    Continuing our series on The Evolution of Mathematics, let’s dive deeper into understanding why the math we’ve always done—and the algorithms behind it—work the way they do. In our initial post, we explored the idea that while math itself hasn’t changed, our approach to teaching it has shifted to emphasize understanding why algorithms work, rather than just how to perform them. In this post, we’ll focus on some effective strategies teachers are using to help students grasp these concepts on a deeper, more conceptual level. Let’s start by exploring the foundational tool of the ten frame. What is a ten…

  • “Encounter” by Jane Yolen: A Step Towards Inclusivity, but There’s Room to Grow

    In today’s classrooms, the stories we choose to tell matter more than ever. When teaching about historical events—especially ones as monumental as the arrival of Europeans in the Americas—the narratives we highlight can shape students’ understanding of the past and its complexities. For many years, the traditi onal Eurocentric perspective dominated history lessons, portraying events like Columbus’s arrival through the lens of European “discovery” and colonization. Thankfully, this has started to change, with more educators seeking out literature that represents Indigenous voices and perspectives. One such book that takes a meaningful step in this direction is Encounter by Jane Yolen.…

  • Math Books That Inspire: My Current Reads and Future Picks

    As a passionate math educator, I find inspiration not only in the classroom but also within the pages of thought-provoking books. Whether it’s deepening my understanding of complex concepts or discovering new teaching strategies, math books have a special way of expanding both my knowledge and approach. In this post, I’m excited to share with you the math books currently on my nightstand, as well as a few that are next on my reading list. From insightful explorations of mathematical theory to practical guides for classroom instruction, these reads offer something for every math enthusiast or educator looking to spark…