Every month, AAE takes some time to put together the best teacher resources we’ve come across.  This month we’ve got online tools to help with grading and seating charts, timelines, backchannels, Shakespeare and more!

 

  Continue Reading...

The ability to work in groups and collaborate is one of those 21st century skills that teachers try to instill alongside all the other curriculum necessities.  It is also a skill that teachers constantly struggle to pass on to their students.  It is not an impossible task, however.  Consider these methods for building collaboration in your classroom:   Continue Reading...

Even though the controversy about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is still in full swing, for the vast majority of teachers, the reality is that next year they will be expected to be teaching the standards. At AAE, our desire is to support our teachers through the implementation process and make sure that they have the tools necessary to succeed. Without good implementation of the standards, teachers are being set up for failure.   Continue Reading...

Teachers today are bombarded with the phrases, "Technology is good!" and "Integrate more technology!" They constantly hear about apps, tablets, 1 to 1 classrooms, and "bring your own device" schemes. Seldom does this advice move beyond the imperative of do this. As a result, many classrooms deploy technology in a slapdash and ineffectual manner.   Continue Reading...

As we do every month, we’ve collected the best teacher resources we’ve found and are presenting them here for you.

  Continue Reading...

This April is School Library Month, a month long celebration of the essential role of school libraries in students' learning created by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). The 2013 theme is "Communities Matter @ Your Library," emphasizing how libraries can help students, individuals, and families discover new and exciting things through library collections, digital resources, and more.   Continue Reading...

As a teacher, your life is often busy, and so you might be tempted to read books that offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of life in a classroom. A well-chosen book, though, can not only give you new ideas, but inspire as well. Below is a list of what we at AAE think are the most inspiring books for teachers released in the past year – providing both inspiration and a new way to look at your practice. Consider adding them to your reading list.   Continue Reading...

All teachers have had that student – the teenage boy whose eyes constantly dart around the classroom, pencil constantly tapping, foot bouncing incessantly under his desk. These cases seem to be business as usual for most educators. While it may be simple for doctors to diagnose these antsy students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), its exponential growth rate warrants further investigation into this growing medical trend.   Continue Reading...

It's my sincere hope that every AAE member is involved in some sort of professional learning community (PLC). Without a doubt, this form of professional development is proven to be one of the most effective with one of the longest reaching impacts for teachers and students.   Continue Reading...

We recently introduced our new Professional Development Calendar, meant to be a single place where teachers can find a wealth of upcoming opportunities.   Continue Reading...

When you talk to educators about professional development, there tends to be a mindset that favors events like conferences, workshops, and webinars. Even though studies have shown that these forms of professional development are limited in their success, teachers still cling to them as ways to connect with other educators and get new ideas. That's not to say that these forms of professional development are entirely without merit, just that by relying on these staples we close ourselves to other opportunities.   Continue Reading...

Looking for something new to spice up your lessons? Check out our top resources of the month!Storybird – This is such a great tool. Available in both free and pay versions, this website allows you and your students to create picture books with relative ease. Have younger students? They'll love selecting art from all the available options and watching their story come alive. Teach an art class? Your students can upload and share their own art. Seriously, the true potential of this tool is endless.   Continue Reading...

We are thrilled to unveil the new AAE Professional Development Calendar!   Continue Reading...

 

One of the things that stood out among the data released in the recent MetLife survey, was that teachers who collaborate professionally with other teachers are more likely to seek out leadership roles and are more likely to be satisfied with their position.  This information points out yet another reason that having a high-quality professional learning community (PLC) is essential to teaching.

  Continue Reading...

 

Looking for professional development opportunities?  Check out these highlights from our professional development calendar.  There are several national conferences coming up, so don’t forget to register and secure your spot!

  Continue Reading...

As part of the Digital Learning Day (DLD) celebration today, the Alliance for Excellent Education has brought together education experts for a series of chats on the best practices in digital learning and how to improve the educational experience and outcomes for all students.   Continue Reading...

As always, we’re rounding up the teacher resources we saw this past month that we like best.  Check out our picks below!

  Continue Reading...

 

Even as arts programs are increasingly falling under the axe of limited school budgets, teachers are increasingly integrating arts into the core subject areas.  The concept behind arts integration is nothing new. Teachers have been having students build models, perform plays, sing songs, and complete other various arts activities for years.  Now there is a growing body of evidence to support those practices.

  Continue Reading...

 

Last summer, Martha Payne made international news when her local government took steps intended to shut down her blog.  What spread this story so far is the fact that Martha is 9 years old and her blog, NeverSeconds, was designed to criticize her school lunches.  Her blog quickly gained an international audience and students around the world started to send Martha pictures of their lunches as a way to complain.  When news broke that the school had told Martha to stop and that the local government had even passed a law prohibiting photography in school cafeterias, there was a quick upsurge of support until the school and local government backed down and Martha was able to blog again.

  Continue Reading...

Last Wednesday, I went to lunch with my friend Paula and her husband. Paula, an elementary teacher, was currently taking a graduate course on educational technology and had just gotten her first ever smartphone. These two events converged to introduce Paula to Twitter for the first time. We spent some time introducing Paula as to how to use Twitter to connect with other teachers and find resources.   Continue Reading...