As a 6th grade teacher, I have the hardest time finding books that challenge my students to think critically without crossing the line into mature content. YA novels can be some of the most violent, steamy, and explicit books on the market since they target readers aged ten to eighteen. On the other hand, middle-grade…
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August is officially here, which marks the dreadful end of summer vacation. So, what can you expect on your first day back at school? Icebreakers, and lots of them. And if you're anything like me, the thought of yet another "two truths and a lie" game will make you cringe. While many students loathe the…
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Reading a great book for pleasure can be a magical experience for kids. It takes them to new places, lets them relive history, and teaches them about worlds they would never encounter in real life. Unfortunately, a study on the state of reading in the United States has recently revealed some disheartening statistics: did you…
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In “Home-Thoughts, from Abroad,” Victorian poet Robert Browning declares wistfully, “Oh, to be in England / Now that April’s there . . .” Well, it’s April again, and this month would be an especially great time to be in England since it’s the four-hundred-year anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death on April 23, 1616. It’s also the…
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The term “spring cleaning” often evokes the image of a jam-packed closet, filled with items that have accumulated over time and that may or may not still be useful. Spring cleaning usually isn’t associated with lesson plans, but it’s a good practice to apply to them, too. In fact, it’s more than good. It’s essential!…
The world has been getting smaller for some time. It now seems to be shrinking at warp speed, rapidly erasing the last vestiges of cultural isolation. Never has it been more important to understand other cultures and to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. Fortunately, in preparing kids to live and work in the even smaller…
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Our Homework Help service helps students and teachers on their toughest academic questions. Our Educators have answered more than 300,000 questions--some straightforward with decidedly black/white answers, and others more open to interpretation and, consequently, discussion. Each month we're compiling some of our favorite Homework Help questions to initiate debate or rich conversation in your classroom. Enjoy! Should certain books…
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A lot of teachers struggle with getting their students interested and engaged in lessons. Here are some practical tips to encourage more participation, interest, and knowledge retention. Teach as Though You Were Writing a Catchy Essay In teaching students to write good essays, we often use this geometric diagram: We ask students to write essays that…
